Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pasta

Ingredients

• 1 lb pasta (such as penne or fettuccine)
• 1 lb chicken breast (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 8 oz mushrooms (sliced (cremini or white button))
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
• 3 garlic (cloves, minced)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• salt (to taste)
• black pepper (to taste)
• fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Steps

1. 1

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.

2. 2

   While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.

3. 3

   Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.

4. 4

   In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the sliced mushrooms and sauté until they release their moisture and turn golden brown, about 5 minutes.

5. 5

   Add the minced garlic to the mushrooms and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

6. 6

   Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes to slightly thicken.

7. 7

   Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth.

8. 8

   Add the cooked chicken and the drained pasta back into the skillet. Toss everything together to coat thoroughly in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.

9. 9

   Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

For a deeper flavor, you can deglaze the pan with a splash of dry white wine after sautéing the mushrooms and before adding the cream.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• pasta
• chicken
• mushrooms
• dinner
• creamy
• comfort food