Description
This Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta is a comforting and delicious dish featuring tender chicken breasts and sautéed mushrooms in a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner, this recipe combines flavorful ingredients with simple cooking techniques to create a hearty pasta meal that serves four.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 chicken breasts, cubed
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh thyme for seasoning
Dairy
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pantry Items
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 8 oz pasta (spaghetti or linguine)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Season the cubed chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken for 7-8 minutes until browned and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté mushrooms and garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sliced mushrooms. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until the mushrooms are softened and fragrant.
- Add chicken broth: Pour chicken broth into the skillet with the mushrooms and garlic, allowing it to simmer for about 2 minutes to reduce slightly and meld flavors.
- Create creamy sauce: Add the heavy cream to the skillet and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally to combine the ingredients smoothly.
- Thicken the sauce: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and let the sauce cook for 2-3 minutes until it thickens to a rich, creamy consistency.
- Cook the pasta: While the sauce thickens, cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Combine and season: Return the cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet, stirring well to coat everything evenly with the creamy sauce. Season with fresh thyme, and additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve the pasta hot.
Notes
- You can use any pasta shape you prefer, but spaghetti or linguine works best with this sauce.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a combination of milk and cream, but the sauce will be less thick.
- Fresh thyme adds a wonderful aroma, but dried thyme can be used as a substitute (use about 1/3 of the fresh amount).
- If you prefer, add a handful of fresh spinach or peas towards the end of cooking for extra greens.
- Make sure to not overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.