Description
A rich and comforting creamy chicken and mushroom pasta dish that combines tender chicken strips, sautéed mushrooms, and a luscious parmesan-infused cream sauce, all tossed with perfectly cooked pasta for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti)
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized strips
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Sauce and Vegetables
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz mushrooms (cremini or button), sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 2 teaspoons fresh)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season chicken strips with salt and pepper, then cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté onion until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook Mushrooms: Add sliced mushrooms and thyme, cooking until mushrooms release their juices and become golden, about 5–7 minutes.
- Add Broth: Pour in chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits. Reduce slightly for 2 minutes.
- Add Cream and Simmer: Lower heat and stir in heavy cream. Simmer gently for 3–4 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Melt Parmesan: Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the chicken to the skillet and toss with the sauce.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing until everything is evenly coated.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Use fresh thyme if available for a more vibrant flavor.
- Red pepper flakes are optional and can be omitted for a milder dish.
- Parmesan cheese adds richness but can be substituted with Pecorino Romano if preferred.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less creamy.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, mushroom pasta, chicken and mushroom recipe, comfort food pasta, creamy parmesan pasta
