Quick & Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe Everyone Will Love

Succulent chicken pasta enhances ordinary ingredients into a delightful culinary experience that tantalizes taste buds.

Home cooks adore this versatile dish for its remarkable simplicity and satisfying flavors.

Creamy sauces or zesty marinades can elevate the recipe’s potential, making each bite a memorable journey.

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary when you master this classic combination of tender protein and perfectly cooked noodles.

Italian-inspired techniques merge with comforting home cooking to create a meal that feels both sophisticated and familiar.

Balanced nutrition meets incredible taste, offering a quick solution for hungry families seeking deliciousness without complicated preparation.

Grab your skillet and start crafting a meal that promises pure culinary magic.

Chicken Pasta That’s Comforting and Quick

• Savor Flavor-Packed Elegance: This chicken pasta recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal bursting with rich, complex flavors from Marsala wine, balsamic vinegar, and perfectly browned chicken and mushrooms.
• Master Easy Gourmet Techniques: The step-by-step method teaches simple yet professional cooking skills like dredging chicken, creating pan sauces, and achieving beautiful golden-brown caramelization without complicated preparations.
• Enjoy Quick Weeknight Luxury: From start to finish, this dish comes together in approximately 30 minutes, making it an ideal option for busy home cooks craving a delicious, sophisticated meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Customize with Seasonal Ingredients: The flexible recipe allows easy variations by swapping mushrooms, using different herbs, or adjusting vinegars to match your taste preferences or available ingredients.

Ingredients to Build Flavorful Chicken Pasta

• Pasta, Chicken Thighs: Classic base ingredients with good texture and rich flavor, choose boneless thighs for easier cooking.

• Flour, Oregano, Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for creating a flavorful and crispy chicken coating, use fresh ground black pepper for best taste.

• Olive Oil, Butter, Shallots, Mushrooms: Provides rich depth of flavor and helps create a golden-brown exterior, select fresh mushrooms with firm texture.

• Marsala Wine, Sherry Vinegar, Balsamic Vinegar: Adds complex tangy and sweet notes to the sauce, choose good quality vinegars for better taste.

• Parmigiano Cheese, Fresh Parsley: Brings fresh herbal notes and salty richness, grate cheese right before serving for maximum flavor.

Cooking Instructions for a Hearty Chicken Pasta Dish

Step 1: Prepare Pasta Perfection

Grab a large pot and fill it with water. Crank up the heat until it’s bubbling wildly. Sprinkle in a generous amount of salt. Toss in the pasta and cook until it’s perfectly tender. Before draining, scoop out a cup of the magical cooking water. Set aside.

Step 2: Dress the Chicken

• Flour
• Oregano
• Salt
• Black pepper

Toss the chicken pieces until they’re completely coated in the seasoned flour mixture.

Step 3: Sizzle and Brown

Heat a skillet with olive oil and butter. Carefully place the chicken pieces in the hot pan. Let them sizzle undisturbed for 3-5 minutes, then flip and cook the other side until golden and crispy. Transfer the chicken to a waiting plate.

Step 4: Mushroom Magic

In the same skillet, add more oil and butter. Toss in mushrooms and let them dance in the pan until they’re beautifully browned. Introduce shallots to the party and cook until they turn translucent and fragrant.

Step 5: Create Sauce Symphony

Pour in Marsala wine, sherry vinegar, and balsamic vinegar. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all those delicious brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Slide the chicken back into the skillet and let everything simmer and mingle.

Step 6: Bring It All Together

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, splashing in some reserved pasta water. Generously shower the dish with grated Parmigiano cheese and sprinkle fresh parsley on top. Toss everything together until it’s perfectly combined. Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Serve immediately, with extra cheese and parsley for those who want an extra flavor boost. Enjoy your restaurant-quality meal right at home!

Tips to Avoid Dry Chicken in Your Pasta

• Flour Evenly: Ensure chicken pieces are uniformly coated with flour mixture for consistent browning and crispy texture.
• Patience While Browning: Allow chicken and mushrooms to cook undisturbed initially to develop rich golden-brown caramelization.
• Pasta Water Magic: Reserved pasta water helps create silky sauce by adding starch and helping ingredients bind together smoothly.
• Wine Selection Matters: Choose a quality Marsala wine for deeper flavor complexity in the sauce.
• Temperature Control: Maintain medium-high heat to achieve perfect searing without burning chicken or mushrooms.

How to Store and Reheat Chicken Pasta Without Losing Texture

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled chicken pasta to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or reserved pasta water to prevent drying. Stir occasionally until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
• Freeze: Pack in freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to maintain texture and flavor.

The Best Pairings for a Cozy Chicken Pasta Night

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc perfectly complements the rich, savory flavors of the chicken and mushroom pasta. The wine's bright acidity cuts through the creamy sauce and balances the earthiness of the mushrooms.
• Serve with Roasted Vegetable Side: Prepare a simple roasted asparagus or Brussels sprouts with garlic and olive oil. These vegetables add a fresh, slightly charred element that enhances the depth of the Marsala sauce and provides a nutritious accompaniment.
• Crusty Bread for Sauce Soaking: Include a rustic, crusty Italian bread or baguette to soak up the delicious Marsala wine reduction. The bread's crispy exterior and soft interior create a perfect texture contrast and allow diners to enjoy every last drop of the flavorful sauce.
• Fresh Herb Garnish Boost: Sprinkle extra fresh parsley or add some chopped basil on top just before serving. These herbs bring a bright, fresh note that lifts the entire dish and adds a pop of color and additional layer of flavor.

Variations That Take Chicken Pasta to the Next Level

• Mediterranean Chicken Pasta: Swap Marsala wine with white wine, add sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired version.
• Spicy Southwest Chicken Pasta: Replace oregano with chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Incorporate black beans, corn, and jalapeños, then top with fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream.
• Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta: Transform the sauce by adding heavy cream and cream cheese. Introduce roasted garlic and thyme for extra depth, garnishing with toasted pine nuts for crunch.
• Pesto Chicken Pasta: Substitute the sauce with homemade basil pesto, mix in roasted cherry tomatoes, and sprinkle with additional pine nuts and fresh basil leaves for a vibrant, herbaceous profile.

Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.9 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Indulgent chicken pasta combines creamy sauce with tender chicken and perfectly cooked noodles. Comfort meets elegance in this simple yet sophisticated dish that will transport you to an Italian kitchen with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 2.5–3 pounds (1.1–1.4 kilograms) chicken thighs, boneless, skinless (about 6 thighs; can use chicken breasts instead)

Pasta and Base Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) pappardelle or other long, flat pasta
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided, plus more for cooking pasta
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Flavor Enhancers and Garnishes:

• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 2 pints white button mushrooms, stems removed, caps thinly sliced
• 2 medium shallots, thinly sliced
• ¾ cup dry Marsala cooking wine
• ¼ cup sherry vinegar
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• ¼ cup Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped, plus more for serving
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious pot with water, bringing it to a vigorous boil and seasoning thoroughly with salt. Submerge pasta and cook until perfectly tender, following package guidance. Carefully extract and preserve a portion of the starchy liquid before draining.
2. Transform chicken thighs into bite-sized morsels. Create a robust coating mixture using flour, dried herbs, salt, and ground pepper. Thoroughly envelop chicken pieces within this aromatic blend.
3. Ignite a skillet over robust heat, introducing a harmonious marriage of olive oil and butter. Gently deposit seasoned chicken fragments, allowing them to develop a rich, golden exterior without frequent disturbance. Rotate and continue cooking until achieving a uniform, caramelized appearance.
4. Utilize the same cooking vessel to sauté mushrooms, permitting them to develop deep, complex caramelization. Incorporate finely chopped shallots, seasoning delicately and cooking until translucent and fragrant.
5. Deglaze the pan with Marsala wine and complementary vinegars, meticulously scraping accumulated flavor foundations from the skillet’s surface. Reintroduce chicken, allowing the liquid to concentrate and intensify.
6. Unite cooked pasta with the robust sauce, introducing reserved cooking liquid to create a silky consistency. Generously shower with freshly grated Parmigiano and chopped parsley, ensuring each strand is luxuriously coated.
7. Taste and refine seasoning as needed. Serve immediately, garnishing with additional cheese and verdant parsley for an elegant presentation.

Notes

• Get all ingredients prepped before starting to cook for a smooth, stress-free experience.
• Choose bone-in chicken thighs for extra flavor and juiciness in the dish.
• Reserve pasta water as a secret weapon to help create a silky, glossy sauce that clings perfectly to noodles.
• Letting chicken and mushrooms brown undisturbed creates delicious caramelized edges and deep flavor development.
• Use a wide skillet or braiser to ensure ingredients have enough space to brown instead of steam.
• Grate fresh Parmigiano cheese directly over the pasta for maximum flavor and a luxurious finish.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 540
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg