Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta (Print Version)

Tender chicken, mushrooms, and creamy sauce combine with pasta for a hearty, satisfying Italian-American dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 17.6 oz), cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Vegetables

02 - 9 oz cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)

→ Dairy & Liquids

06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon heavy cream
09 - 1/4 cup chicken broth
10 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Pasta

11 - 12 oz fettuccine or linguine

→ Seasonings

12 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
13 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package specifications. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, drain pasta and set aside.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Cook chicken until golden and fully cooked, about 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
03 - Add remaining olive oil and butter to the skillet. Sauté onions and mushrooms until softened and browned, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Reduce heat to medium-low and add heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and dried Italian herbs. Stir continuously until cheese melts and sauce thickens, about 2 to 3 minutes.
05 - Return chicken to the skillet and simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes to meld flavors. Adjust sauce consistency by adding reserved pasta water if necessary.
06 - Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss to evenly coat with the sauce. Stir in chopped parsley.
07 - Plate the pasta immediately and garnish with additional parsley and extra Parmesan as desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like you've been simmering it all afternoon.
  • Earthy mushrooms and tender chicken create a texture contrast that keeps every bite interesting.
  • It's elegant enough for guests but easy enough that you won't stress while cooking.
02 -
  • Don't crowd the chicken in the pan when searing it—if the pieces touch, they steam instead of browning, and browning is where the flavor lives.
  • The reserved pasta water is your safety net; it's starchy and helps the sauce cling to the pasta instead of just pooling at the bottom of the bowl.
  • Taste the sauce before you combine everything; it's your last chance to adjust the seasoning and make sure the flavors feel balanced.
03 -
  • Don't use pre-sliced mushrooms from a container if you can help it; slice them fresh while your water boils and you'll taste the difference in how they brown and caramelize.
  • A good Parmesan makes all the difference—buy a wedge and grate it yourself rather than reaching for the pre-grated version, which often has anti-caking agents that make the sauce grainy.
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