Chestnut Mushroom Chicken Pasta
Chestnut Mushroom Chicken Pasta is a quick and comforting dinner combining tender chicken, earthy chestnut mushrooms, and pasta in a creamy, flavorful sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pan dish is perfect for busy weeknights, with rich textures and hearty taste that everyone will love.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free pasta substitution)
Protein & Vegetables
- 300g boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 200g chestnut mushrooms, wiped clean and thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, roughly chopped
Pasta
- 250g penne or fusilli pasta
Dairy & Fats
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream or crème fraîche
- 50g freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Prep the ingredients: Slice the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and wipe the chestnut mushrooms clean with a damp cloth, then slice them thinly. Mince the garlic finely and roughly chop fresh parsley for garnish.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining to help thicken the sauce later.
- Sauté the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Cook the mushrooms and garlic: In the same skillet, add more olive oil if needed, then add the chestnut mushrooms. Sauté until golden and moisture has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Make the creamy sauce: Lower the heat and pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine with mushrooms and garlic. Let simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted, adjusting salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine everything: Return chicken to the skillet and toss with mushroom cream sauce. Add the drained pasta and a splash of reserved pasta water to help the sauce cling to the noodles. Stir well to heat through and combine.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use room temperature chicken for even cooking and juiciness.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; cook chicken and mushrooms in batches if necessary to avoid steaming.
- Reserve pasta water for a silky, well-emulsified sauce.
- Grate your own Parmesan cheese for a smooth melt and richer flavor.
- Simmer gently to prevent the cream from curdling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: chicken pasta, chestnut mushrooms, creamy pasta, quick dinner, one-pan meal, weeknight dinner, easy recipe