Quick Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta Recipe for Cozy Nights

Whipping up a satisfying creamy chicken & mushroom pasta takes culinary skills to another level.

Savory aromas will soon fill your kitchen with delightful anticipation.

Tender chicken pieces nestled among earthy mushrooms create a magical combination.

Silky sauce coats each strand of perfectly cooked pasta, promising incredible flavor in every bite.

Home cooks can easily master this comforting dish with simple ingredients and straightforward techniques.

Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with this delectable recipe that looks impressive but comes together quickly.

This meal guarantees smiles around the dinner table and requests for seconds.

Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta Overview

• Craft a Gourmet Meal: Transform ordinary ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish that impresses without complex techniques, perfect for home cooks seeking delicious results.
• One-Skillet Wonder: Minimize cleanup with this streamlined recipe that uses the same pan for cooking chicken, sautéing vegetables, and creating a luxurious sauce, saving time and reducing dish washing.
• Customize Your Comfort: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping chicken for other proteins, adjusting mushroom quantities, or experimenting with different pasta types to suit personal preferences and dietary needs.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Deliver a creamy, satisfying meal that appeals to both adults and kids, making it an ideal choice for family dinners, casual gatherings, or a cozy night in.

Ingredients for Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta

• Chicken Breasts: Tender meat that provides the protein base for this creamy pasta dish.

• Spaghetti or Linguine: Classic pasta that creates the perfect vehicle for the creamy sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Adds rich and luxurious texture to the sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Provides depth of flavor and helps create the sauce base.
• Parmesan Cheese: Contributes a salty, nutty flavor and helps thicken the sauce.

• Garlic, Fresh Thyme: Enhances the overall flavor profile with their aromatic qualities.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Fundamental seasonings that bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients.

• Olive Oil: Helps cook the chicken and prevents sticking in the skillet.

How to Make Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta

Step 1: Season and Sizzle the Chicken

Sprinkle salt and pepper over chicken cubes. Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium heat.

Cook the chicken until golden brown and fully cooked, moving pieces around to ensure even browning. Transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate.

Step 2: Awaken the Mushrooms and Garlic

• Minced garlic
• Sliced mushrooms

Sauté until mushrooms turn soft and release their delicious moisture. The garlic should become golden and release its aromatic fragrance.

Step 3: Create a Luxurious Sauce

Pour chicken broth into the skillet and let it simmer briefly. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle boil.

Stir in Parmesan cheese until it melts completely, creating a silky smooth sauce. Allow the sauce to thicken for a few minutes.

Step 4: Prepare the Pasta

Cook pasta in boiling water according to package instructions. Drain pasta, but keep a small amount of pasta water nearby for potential sauce adjusting.

Step 5: Marry the Ingredients

Combine cooked chicken and pasta with the creamy sauce in the skillet. Gently stir to ensure everything is beautifully coated.

If the sauce seems too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water to achieve the perfect consistency.

Step 6: Final Touches and Serving

Sprinkle fresh thyme, salt, and pepper over the dish.

Plate immediately and add an extra dusting of Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve piping hot and enjoy your creamy culinary creation.

Tips for Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta

• Pat the chicken dry before seasoning to ensure maximum flavor absorption and achieve a perfect golden-brown exterior.
• Use fresh, high-quality mushrooms and don't overcrowd the pan while sautéing to help them brown beautifully and develop a rich, deep flavor.
• Keep the cream sauce smooth by adding Parmesan cheese gradually and stirring constantly to prevent clumping or separation.
• Save a cup of starchy pasta water to help adjust sauce consistency and add extra silkiness to your final dish.
• Replace regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives like zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta for a dietary-friendly version without compromising taste.

Variations for Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta

• Gluten-Free Zucchini Noodle Version: Replace traditional pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles for a low-carb alternative. Use gluten-free chicken broth and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Dairy-Free Coconut Cream Adaptation: Swap heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese. This version works well for those avoiding dairy products.
• Vegetarian Mushroom Protein Swap: Replace chicken with firm tofu or plant-based chicken substitute. Add extra mushroom varieties like shiitake or oyster mushrooms for deeper umami flavor.

Serving Suggestions for Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta

• Select a bright, acidic Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the richness of the creamy sauce and complement the mushroom's earthy notes.
• Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a zesty contrast against the pasta's heavy, creamy texture and add refreshing green elements to the meal.
• Serve warm, crusty garlic bread alongside the pasta to soak up the delicious sauce and provide a crunchy textural counterpoint to the soft, creamy pasta.

Storage Advice for Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent odor absorption.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date and contents.
• Place pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore moisture. Stir gently and continuously to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. Warm for 4-5 minutes until heated through.

FAQs

• What type of pasta works best for this recipe?

Spaghetti and linguine are recommended, but any long pasta like fettuccine or penne can work well. Choose a pasta that can hold the creamy sauce nicely.

• Can I use a different type of meat instead of chicken?

Yes, you can substitute chicken with turkey, shrimp, or even use a vegetarian protein like tofu. Just ensure you cook the alternative protein thoroughly before adding it to the sauce.

• Is there a way to make this dish lighter?

Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, choose lean chicken breast, and reduce the amount of Parmesan cheese. You can also add more vegetables to increase nutritional value without adding significant calories.

Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta Recipe

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4.9 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Hearty “Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta” delivers comfort in every forkful, blending tender chicken and earthy mushrooms with silky sauce. Savory Italian-inspired ingredients promise a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 chicken breasts, cubed

Starches:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (spaghetti or linguine)

Dairy and Sauce Components:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup chicken broth

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Oils and Seasonings:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Fresh thyme

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Instructions

1. Prepare seasoned chicken cubes with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet at medium temperature and cook chicken for 7-8 minutes until golden brown and thoroughly cooked. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
2. Use the same skillet to sauté minced garlic and sliced mushrooms for 4-5 minutes. Watch for mushrooms to soften and release moisture while garlic turns slightly golden.
3. Pour chicken broth into the skillet and simmer for 2 minutes to reduce liquid. Introduce heavy cream and bring to a gentle boil. Incorporate Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and sauce thickens.
4. Simultaneously cook pasta in boiling water according to package instructions. Drain pasta, reserving a small amount of cooking water for potential sauce adjustment.
5. Combine cooked chicken and pasta into the creamy mushroom sauce. Gently mix to ensure even coating. If sauce appears too thick, incorporate reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
6. Enhance flavor by sprinkling fresh thyme, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Plate immediately and optionally garnish with additional Parmesan cheese for extra richness.

Notes

• Ensure chicken is cut into uniform cubes for even cooking and tender texture.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to achieve better browning and deeper flavor development.
• Use fresh mushrooms for more robust taste and avoid watery consistency during sautéing.
• Select hard, aged Parmesan cheese for richer, more intense sauce flavor profile.
• Keep pasta water as secret weapon to adjust sauce consistency and help sauce cling better to noodles.
• Quick-cooking technique prevents cream sauce from breaking or becoming grainy.
• For lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt.
• Gluten-free alternative: Replace regular pasta with zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta.
• Add red pepper flakes for subtle heat and extra complexity to the dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 760 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 420 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 26 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 45 g
• Cholesterol: 140 mg