Creamy Chicken And Mushroom Pasta Recipe

One of my favorite comfort meals is a dish called Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pasta. It combines moist pieces of chicken and bits of sautéed mushrooms in a rich, smooth sauce.

To me, this dish is like a warm hug. The pasta can vary—fettuccine or penne are both excellent choices.

I love how those pasta shapes soak up the flavors of the sauce, which is heavy on the garlic, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. The sauce clings to and envelops the pasta in such a way that simply eating the dish is a form of embracing it.

Ingredients

Pasta:
Abundant in carbohydrates, supplying power and form.

Olive Oil:
Fats that are healthy for the heart amplify taste.

Chicken Breast:
Protein-rich, low-fat, and satisfying.

Mushrooms:
Few calories, robust flavor, high in antioxidants.

Garlic:
Fragrant, intensifies taste and has health benefits.

Heavy Cream:
Contributes to creamy richness; has fat from dairy sources.

Parmesan Cheese:
The flavor of salt and umami adds depth and protein to the food we eat.

Italian Seasoning:
Blend of herbs, infuse with aromatic flavors.

Ingredient Quantities

• 8 oz (225 g) pasta of your choice (such as fettuccine or penne)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 8 oz (225 g) cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/4 cup (15 g) chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta according to package directions until it is al dente. Drain and set it aside.

2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and add them to the skillet.

3. Cook the chicken in the skillet, where it should remain undisturbed for the first 3 minutes. After that, use tongs to turn it over and continue cooking for another 3-5 minutes, until both sides are golden and cooked through. Remove the skillet from the heat and use tongs to transfer the chicken to a plate.

4. In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil and the butter. When the butter is melted, add the sliced mushrooms.

5. Sauté the mushrooms for roughly 5 minutes until they are browned and tender.

6. Incorporate the minced garlic into the mushrooms and sauté for about 1 minute, until it smells wonderful.

7. Add the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet, then let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.

8. Combine the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. After reaching a gentle simmer, incorporate the Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning, stirring until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce has thickened.

9. Place the chicken back in the skillet with the cooked pasta, and toss everything together in the creamy sauce. Heat for an additional 2-3 minutes to warm everything through.

10. Before serving, garnish with parsley fresh from the garden. Then, please enjoy your creamy chicken and mushroom pasta!

Equipment Needed

1. Large pot
2. Skillet
3. Tongs
4. Cooking spoon
5. Knife
6. Cutting board
7. Measuring spoons
8. Measuring cups
9. Grater (if grating Parmesan cheese fresh)
10. Colander (for draining pasta)

FAQ

• Can I use a different type of pasta?Without a doubt! Use any shape of pasta you like, such as spaghetti, penne, or farfalle. Just remember that you may need to alter the cooking time based on the shape of pasta you decide to use.
• Is there an alternative to heavy cream?You can swap half-and-half or coconut milk for heavy cream. Keep in mind that doing so may change the flavor and texture of your dish. To make it lighter, substitute half-and-half for half of the required amount of heavy cream.
• What can I use instead of chicken breasts?For a juicier outcome, opt for chicken thighs, or use shrimp if you lean more toward seafood. Just remember to vary the cooking times as needed.
• Can I add vegetables to this dish?Of course! Vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or asparagus make perfect additions. For the best results, add your vegetables during the step when you’re cooking the mushrooms.
• How can I make this dish vegetarian?Bump up the veggie power. Increase the amount of mushrooms or add other vegetables to make this a meatless, hearty meal. Skip the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
• Is it okay to make this recipe ahead of time?Certainly, the dish can be made beforehand, but it’s most pleasurable when freshly prepared. If you need to reheat it, do so tenderly over a low flame and add broth or cream, if necessary, to keep the sauce the right sauce-y consistency.
• What can I use instead of Parmesan cheese?Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano, grated, can be used as substitutes for Parmesan, though their flavors are a tad different.

Substitutions and Variations

Two tablespoons of olive oil can be substituted with two tablespoons of avocado oil or vegetable oil.
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts can be substituted for boneless, skinless chicken thighs or turkey breast.
You can substitute shiitake mushrooms or portobello mushrooms for the cremini or white mushrooms in this recipe. Use 8 oz (225 g) of any of these kinds of mushrooms.
1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth can be substituted with vegetable broth or white wine.
Half-and-half or coconut cream can be used in place of 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream.