Description
Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pasta is a comforting and easy-to-make dinner featuring tender chicken breast, savory mushrooms, and pasta tossed in a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce. Perfect for a cozy weeknight meal, this recipe combines simple ingredients to deliver restaurant-style flavors that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Chicken and Pasta
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 ounces pasta (fettuccine, penne, linguine, rigatoni, or spaghetti)
Vegetables
- 8 ounces mushrooms (cremini, button, or baby bella), sliced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season them with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper evenly.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook until they turn golden brown and are cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté Mushrooms and Onion: In the same skillet, add the sliced mushrooms and diced onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are browned and the onion is tender, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts smoothly into the sauce.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together to coat evenly with the creamy sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach the desired consistency.
- Adjust Seasoning and Garnish: Taste the dish and adjust salt and black pepper as needed. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Serve: Serve the creamy chicken and mushroom pasta warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for extra flavor and tenderness.
- Add vegetables like spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, broccoli, or roasted red peppers to the sauce for variety.
- Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter sauce.
- To add a hint of heat, include red pepper flakes when cooking the garlic.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet or microwave with a splash of milk, cream, or chicken broth to loosen the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
