Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta Recipe to Adore

This delightful chicken and mushroom pasta brings comfort right to your dinner table.

Mushrooms add an earthy richness that weaves through each tender bite.

Weeknight meals rarely feel this luxurious and satisfying.

The creamy sauce embraces perfectly cooked pasta with velvety smoothness.

Hearty ingredients combine in a symphony of flavors that whisper pure satisfaction.

Simple techniques make this dish accessible for home cooks of all skill levels.

You’ll want to savor every single forkful of this irresistible meal.

Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta: Why It’s a Keeper

• This pasta dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy families craving a delicious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Rich, creamy sauce and tender chicken create a satisfying meal that feels like a restaurant-quality experience you can easily prepare at home.
• Easily customize the recipe by using different proteins like shrimp or turkey, or swap mushrooms for your favorite vegetables to suit your taste preferences.
• Kids and adults alike will love the creamy texture and familiar flavors, making it a crowd-pleasing option for family dinners or casual gatherings.

What Goes Into Chicken & Mushroom Pasta

• Pasta: A classic base for this creamy dish, provides the perfect vehicle for the rich sauce.
• Chicken: Protein-packed ingredient that adds substance and flavor to the meal.
• Mushrooms: Earthy and meaty fungi that bring depth and umami to the pasta.

• Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious and smooth sauce base.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
• Garlic: Provides a sharp, aromatic flavor profile to the dish.

• Salt: Essential for bringing out the flavors of all ingredients.
• Black Pepper: Adds a mild heat and complements the creamy sauce.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté ingredients and adds a subtle richness.
• Pasta Water: Starchy liquid that helps bind the sauce and pasta together.

Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta Made Simple

Boil Pasta To Perfection

Grab a large pot and fill it with water. Sprinkle in a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add your favorite pasta and cook according to the package guidelines until it reaches that classic al dente texture- tender with a slight bite. Once done, carefully scoop out a half cup of the starchy cooking water and set it aside. Drain the pasta in a colander and let it rest momentarily.

Sauté Mushrooms And Chicken

• Fresh mushrooms
• Chicken breasts
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pour in a splash of olive oil. Slice the mushrooms into thin, elegant pieces. Cut the chicken into bite-sized chunks. Sprinkle salt and black pepper over the chicken. Once the skillet is hot, add the chicken and cook until golden brown and fully cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate. In the same skillet, toss in the mushrooms and sauté until they release their earthy aroma and turn a beautiful golden color.

Create Luxurious Creamy Sauce

• Heavy cream
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic
• Fresh herbs

Lower the heat and add minced garlic to the skillet. Stir for a minute until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and let it simmer gently. Sprinkle in grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly to create a silky smooth sauce. Toss in chopped fresh herbs for an extra burst of flavor.

Combine And Serve

Add the cooked chicken and mushrooms back into the sauce. Stir in the reserved pasta water to help the sauce cling perfectly to the pasta. Fold in the drained pasta, ensuring every strand is coated with the creamy, luxurious sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately in warm bowls, garnishing with extra Parmesan and herbs for a restaurant-worthy presentation.

Top Tips for Chicken & Mushroom Pasta

• Select Tender Chicken: Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts for a lean, uniform cook. Slice them evenly to ensure quick and consistent cooking throughout the dish.
• Control Mushroom Moisture: Pat mushrooms dry before sautéing to prevent excess water release. This technique helps achieve a perfect golden-brown sear and prevents watery sauce.
• Perfect Pasta Texture: Cook pasta just until al dente, as it will continue absorbing sauce after draining. Reserving pasta water helps adjust sauce consistency if needed.
• Balance Cream Sauce: Add cream gradually and stir constantly to prevent separation or curdling. Use room temperature cream for smoother integration into the sauce.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast herbs and garlic briefly in the pan before adding liquid ingredients to release their aromatic oils and intensify overall taste profile.

Smart Storage for Chicken & Mushroom Pasta

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Sealed properly, the pasta stays fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Before storing, drizzle a little reserved pasta water over the dish to maintain moisture and prevent the sauce from becoming too thick.
• Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of milk or pasta water to restore creamy consistency and prevent sticking.
• Skip microwave reheating if possible, as it can make the pasta rubbery and separate the sauce. Stovetop reheating ensures the best texture and flavor.

Best Sidekicks for Chicken & Mushroom Pasta

• Choose a buttery, oak-aged Chardonnay that complements the creamy sauce and enhances the rich mushroom flavors, creating a harmonious balance on your palate.
• Toss a refreshing arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the pasta's richness, adding a bright, tangy contrast that cleanses the palate between bites.
• Serve warm, crusty bread with roasted garlic to soak up the creamy sauce, providing a delightful textural element and additional depth of flavor to the meal.
• Select a light-bodied Pinot Noir with earthy undertones that beautifully mirrors the mushroom's woodsy notes while not overpowering the delicate chicken and pasta.

Ideas to Switch Up Chicken & Mushroom Pasta

• Vegetarian Pasta Swap: Replace chicken with firm tofu or roasted cauliflower florets for a plant-based protein alternative that maintains the creamy texture.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use chickpea or brown rice pasta instead of traditional wheat pasta to create a celiac-friendly version of the dish.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate meal that keeps the rich, creamy sauce.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan cheese to accommodate dairy-sensitive diets while preserving the luscious, smooth sauce.

Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Rich and comforting chicken & mushroom pasta delivers pure Italian culinary magic on a plate. Delicate herbs, silky sauce, and tender meat blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor each delightful forkful of pure pasta perfection.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon thyme (fresh or dried)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Main Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) fettuccine or your preferred pasta
• 8 ounces (226 grams) mushrooms, sliced (button or cremini work best)
• 2 cups (473 milliliters) heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
• 1 cup (237 milliliters) chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Fill a spacious pot with water, season generously with salt, and heat to a rolling boil. Gently submerge pasta and cook until it reaches a tender yet firm texture, following package guidelines.
2. Once cooked, carefully extract 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid before straining pasta in a colander. Allow pasta to rest while preparing the sauce.
3. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat until it transforms into a golden, fragrant liquid. Add minced garlic and sauté until its aroma becomes pronounced and edges turn translucent.
4. Introduce sliced mushrooms to the skillet, allowing them to caramelize and release their earthy moisture. Stir occasionally to ensure even browning and prevent sticking.
5. Incorporate diced chicken pieces, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook thoroughly until the meat turns a uniform white color and develops a slight golden exterior.
6. Pour heavy cream into the skillet, creating a rich, velvety base. Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese, stirring continuously to meld flavors and create a smooth, cohesive sauce.
7. Gently fold reserved pasta into the creamy mixture, using the retained cooking liquid to adjust sauce consistency if needed. Ensure each pasta strand is evenly coated with the luxurious sauce.
8. Garnish with fresh parsley, adding a vibrant color and subtle herbaceous note to the dish. Serve immediately while the pasta remains hot and sauce is creamy.

Notes

• Perfectly cook pasta by testing for al dente texture, which means the pasta should have a slight firmness when bitten.
• Save pasta water as a secret weapon for creating silky, smooth sauce consistency and helping ingredients bind together.
• Choose whole wheat or gluten-free pasta alternatives for dietary modifications without compromising taste and texture.
• For extra flavor depth, toast mushrooms in a dry pan before adding to the sauce to enhance their natural earthy umami profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 749
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 868 mg
• Fat: 41 g
• Saturated Fat: 23 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 164 mg