Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 oz dried pasta (fettuccine, penne, or preferred shape)
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion or shallot, finely chopped (optional)
- 8 oz sliced mushrooms (cremini or white button)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth or stock
- 3/4 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning or 1/2 tsp dried thyme (optional)
- Optional garnish: chopped parsley, extra Parmesan
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning if using.
- Heat oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 4–6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add more butter and sauté onion or shallot until soft. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Add mushrooms and cook until browned and moisture has evaporated, about 5 minutes.
- Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits.
- Stir in cream, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Whisk in Parmesan cheese until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Return chicken and any juices to the pan, add cooked pasta, and toss to coat. Add pasta water as needed to loosen sauce.
- Garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan before serving.
Notes
- Use thighs for juicier chicken or breasts for a leaner option.
- Add red pepper flakes with garlic for heat, or spinach at the end for greens.
- Use milk or half-and-half for a lighter sauce, and mozzarella for more cheese depth.
- Reheat with added liquid to restore creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Salt
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
