Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta Recipe

Introduction

This creamy ricotta chicken pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight dinner. Tender chicken and al dente pasta are wrapped in a luscious ricotta sauce, brightened with fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese. It’s easy to prepare yet impressive enough to serve guests.

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts, sliced thin
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 8 oz short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or farfalle)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water (plus extra as needed)
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Slice your chicken breasts into thin, bite-sized pieces to ensure quick cooking. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then cook the chicken until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Step 2: While the chicken cooks, bring a 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.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet with the cooked chicken, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Lower the heat and stir in the ricotta cheese with a splash of chicken broth or reserved pasta water. Mix until smooth and creamy, coating the chicken evenly.
4. Step 4: Add the cooked pasta into the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to coat all the pasta with the sauce. If it feels too thick, add more reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
5. Step 5: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the chopped basil and parsley for a fresh finish. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top and toss once more before serving hot.

Tips & Variations

• Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
• Swap chicken broth with reserved pasta water to keep the sauce lighter and gluten-free.
• Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for extra vegetables and nutrition.
• For a tangier sauce, mix in a tablespoon of lemon juice or zest with the herbs.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce and prevent drying out.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, but make sure to fully thaw the chicken before slicing and cooking to ensure even cooking and food safety.

What type of pasta works best for this dish?

Short pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or farfalle hold the creamy ricotta sauce well, but feel free to use your favorite pasta.

Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 51 reviews

This Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender sliced chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection, combined with al dente short pasta and coated in a luscious ricotta and Parmesan cheese sauce. Enhanced with fresh garlic, basil, and parsley, this recipe is a quick and satisfying meal perfect for any night of the week.

• Author: Marco
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein

• 2 chicken breasts, sliced thin

Dairy

• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Pasta

• 8 oz short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or farfalle)

Vegetables and Herbs

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Liquids and Oils

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water (plus extra as needed)

Seasonings

• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts into thin, bite-sized pieces to ensure they cook quickly and evenly. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for about 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, but hold off on herbs for now to enhance the flavor layering later.
2. Cook the Pasta: While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your choice of short pasta such as penne, rigatoni, or farfalle, and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve one cup of the pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
3. Prepare the Creamy Sauce: In the same skillet with the cooked chicken, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Lower the heat and stir in the ricotta cheese along with a splash of chicken broth or the reserved pasta water. Mix continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy, evenly coating the chicken pieces.
4. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked and drained pasta directly into the skillet with the ricotta sauce and chicken. Gently toss everything together to ensure that every piece of pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add additional reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen it up to your preferred consistency.
5. Finish with Fresh Herbs and Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the freshly chopped basil and parsley to add brightness and freshness to the dish. Finally, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and toss once more to evenly distribute the cheese before serving the dish hot.

Notes

• You can substitute chicken broth with reserved pasta water for a vegetarian sauce option, but omit the chicken if doing so.
• For extra richness, add a splash of heavy cream along with the ricotta cheese.
• Make sure not to overcook the pasta; it should be firm to the bite (al dente) to prevent mushiness when tossed with the sauce.
• Fresh herbs are crucial for brightening the flavor, so use fresh basil and parsley rather than dried.
• If the sauce thickens too much upon standing, reheat gently with a little more pasta water to loosen it up.

Keywords: creamy ricotta chicken pasta, Italian chicken pasta recipe, ricotta cheese pasta, easy chicken pasta dinner, quick creamy pasta