Description
Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta is a luscious and comforting meal featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich, creamy sauce made with ricotta, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Blended with aromatic garlic and Italian herbs, this pasta dish comes together quickly in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (or pasta water)
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional, for added richness)
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your favorite type)
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Add them to the skillet and sauté until fully cooked and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium, add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn it.
- Make the creamy sauce: Add heavy cream, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, dried basil, dried oregano, and chicken broth (or pasta water) to the skillet. Stir continuously to combine all ingredients and let the sauce simmer for 3-5 minutes until it thickens slightly. Optionally, stir in butter for extra richness.
- Combine pasta and chicken: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley, and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half and reduce the amount of butter used.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and texture.
- Chicken can be replaced with shrimp or sausage to vary the dish.
- Use gluten-free pasta if you require a gluten-free meal.
