Description
Indulge in comforting creamy ricotta chicken pasta, featuring tender chicken, creamy sauce, and vibrant herbs. Perfect for gatherings or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 300g (10 oz) penne pasta
- 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Boil the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, but remember to reserve a cup of pasta water in case you need to loosen the sauce later.
- Cook the chicken: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken and season it generously with salt and pepper. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic. Sauté it for about a minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Create the sauce: Lower the heat, then add the ricotta cheese, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan. Stir gently until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Combine ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and add the dried Italian herbs and chili flakes if using. Add the drained penne pasta and toss until evenly coated. Use reserved pasta water if needed for consistency.
- Serve: Dish up the pasta while hot, garnishing each serving with freshly chopped parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan.
Notes
For a vegetarian option, substitute chicken with sautéed mushrooms or tofu. You can also add seasonal veggies like spinach for added nutrition.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 63g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, chicken pasta, ricotta pasta, Italian pasta, comfort food