Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta
This dish is a perfect combination of juicy chicken, tender mushrooms, and a velvety, creamy sauce, all tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. It’s the ultimate comfort food that’s easy to make and guaranteed to impress your family and friends.
Equipment
- Large Pot – For boiling pasta
- Skillet or Pan – To cook the chicken and sauce
- Cutting Board & Knife – For chopping ingredients
- Tongs or Spatula – To mix and toss the pasta
Ingredients
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or any preferred type)
- Water for boiling
- 1 tsp salt
For the Creamy Sauce:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups mushrooms sliced (white button or cremini)
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional for a bit of heat)
- Salt & black pepper to taste
For the Chicken:
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For Garnishing:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra parmesan cheese
Instructions
Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt and pasta, then cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta, but reserve ½ cup of pasta water to use later if needed.
Cook the Chicken:
- Season the chicken strips with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and fully cooked.
- Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
Sauté the Mushrooms and Make the Sauce:
- In the same pan, add butter and olive oil.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent.
- Add the garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Toss in the sliced mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become tender.
- Pour in the chicken broth and let it simmer for 2 minutes.
- Lower the heat and add the heavy cream, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
- Stir until the sauce thickens slightly (about 2-3 minutes). Season with salt and pepper.
Combine Everything:
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.
- Return the chicken to the pan and mix everything together. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley and extra parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- Use Fresh Ingredients – Fresh mushrooms and garlic will enhance the overall flavor.
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken – Cooking it just right keeps it juicy and tender.
- Save Some Pasta Water – Adding a splash of pasta water helps to create a silky sauce.
- Adjust the Thickness – If the sauce is too thick, add broth or cream. If it’s too thin, simmer longer.
- Add Extra Veggies – Spinach, bell peppers, or sun-dried tomatoes make great additions.