Description
Rich and Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta is a cozy yet elegant meal made with juicy chicken, earthy mushrooms, and pasta tossed in a luxurious cream sauce—perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
- 8 oz pasta (fettuccine, penne, or preferred)
- 8 oz mushrooms (cremini or button), sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion or shallot, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, thyme, or basil, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1/4 cup white wine or a squeeze of lemon juice
Instructions
- Cook pasta until al dente, drain, and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Heat oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, sauté until golden and cooked through, then transfer to a plate.
- In the same skillet, sauté onion until soft. Add mushrooms and garlic, cook until mushrooms are golden and moisture has evaporated.
- Deglaze the skillet with white wine or chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Let it reduce by half.
- Stir in cream and remaining chicken broth. Simmer until the sauce begins to thicken, about 5 minutes.
- Return chicken to skillet. Stir in cheese until melted, then add pasta and toss to coat. Use reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Stir in fresh herbs and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or lemon juice.
- Simmer another minute, then serve warm.
Notes
- Add spinach, peas, or sun-dried tomatoes for a veggie boost.
- Use a mix of mushrooms for deeper flavor.
- Stir cheese into the sauce off heat to avoid curdling.
- Reheat with a splash of broth or cream to revive the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
