Description
This Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta is a delicious and comforting dish featuring tender cubed chicken breasts, sautéed mushrooms, and a rich, velvety cream sauce with Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe combines simple ingredients into a satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy weekends.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken & Mushrooms
- 2 chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta & Seasoning
- 8 oz pasta (spaghetti or linguine)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh thyme, for seasoning
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the cubed chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for about 7-8 minutes, until browned and fully cooked. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Mushrooms: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sliced mushrooms. Sauté for about 4-5 minutes until the mushrooms are softened.
- Simmer Chicken Broth: Add chicken broth to the skillet, letting it simmer for about 2 minutes to enhance the flavors and reduce slightly.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil while stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Add Parmesan: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and let the sauce cook for 2-3 minutes until it thickens and becomes creamy.
- Cook the Pasta: While the sauce is thickening, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Combine and Serve: Add the cooked pasta and chicken back into the skillet. Stir well to coat everything with the creamy sauce. Season with fresh thyme, additional salt, and pepper as desired. Serve hot and enjoy your creamy chicken and mushroom pasta.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but it will be less rich.
- Use fresh thyme for a more aromatic flavor; dried thyme can also be used but add less.
- Parmesan cheese can be replaced with Pecorino Romano for a sharper taste.
- For a vegetarian version, omit chicken and add extra mushrooms or a plant-based protein.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
