Description
A rich and creamy Italian-American pasta dish featuring tender chicken breast and earthy cremini mushrooms tossed in a luscious Parmesan-infused cream sauce, served over perfectly al dente spaghetti. This comforting weeknight meal is simple to make yet indulgently delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces spaghetti
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce and Vegetables
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook Spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Season Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning to evenly coat.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Mushrooms: In the same skillet, melt the butter and add sliced mushrooms. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until they soften and develop a light brown color.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, ensuring not to burn it.
- Make Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Let the sauce simmer for 4 to 5 minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Add Cheese: Reduce heat to low and stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, then add the drained spaghetti. Toss everything together to coat well, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if necessary to loosen the sauce.
- Finish and Serve: Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if using, garnish with fresh chopped parsley, and serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra richness, stir in a tablespoon of cream cheese along with the Parmesan cheese.
- Substitute half and half for a lighter cream option to reduce fat content.
- Add a handful of fresh spinach during the last minute of cooking for extra color and nutrients.
