Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta with Garlic Sauce
A straightforward recipe for rich, creamy pasta featuring tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and a strong garlic cream sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Total Time: 40 min
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound pasta (fettuccine or penne recommended)
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional, substitute with chicken broth)
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining. Set the pasta aside.
- Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Add the sliced mushrooms to the same skillet. Cook until they release their liquid and start to brown, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- If using wine, pour it into the skillet and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer until reduced by half, about 2 minutes. If not using wine, skip this step and proceed to the next.
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the Italian seasoning.
- Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and thickened. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are fully coated in the garlic cream sauce.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.
Notes
- Use fettuccine or penne as they hold the creamy sauce well.
- For a stronger garlic flavor, increase the garlic to 5 or 6 cloves.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer the cream mixture for a few extra minutes before adding the cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 40
- Cholesterol: 150