Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 lb pasta (penne or fettuccine)
Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced
Vegetables
- 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining to use later in the sauce.
- Sauté Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken breasts and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the chicken is cooked through and golden on the outside, approximately 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Cook Mushrooms and Garlic: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of butter. Add the sliced mushrooms and sauté until they are browned and tender, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Allow the sauce to thicken slightly, about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Toss Pasta and Chicken: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together to combine. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the sauce reaches desired consistency.
- Serve: Serve the creamy chicken and mushroom pasta hot, garnished with extra Parmesan or fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and smoother sauce.
- Reserve pasta water to help loosen and bring the sauce together without thinning the flavor.
- For a lighter version, substitute cream with half-and-half or milk, though the sauce will be less rich.
- This dish pairs perfectly with a crisp green salad and crusty bread.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian