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.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Introduce sliced mushrooms to the skillet, allowing them to caramelize and release their earthy moisture. Stir occasionally to ensure even browning and prevent sticking.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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