Creamy Chicken, Mushroom & Ricotta Pasta

3.0

(4)

4 Reviews

Ricotta cheese is the key to this creamy pasta dish made without the cream. It melts down along with Parmesan into a luscious cheesy sauce, thanks to a little pasta-cooking water. For the smoothest results, use freshly grated Parmesan—pre-grated cheese often contains cellulose that can prevent melting.

Devon O'Brien

Updated on September 19, 2023

Reviewed by Dietitian

Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD

Tested by

EatingWell Test Kitchen

Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta — Photo: Jacob Fox

Active Time:

30 mins

Total Time:

30 mins

Servings:

Nutrition Profile:

Nut-Free Soy-Free High-Protein

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Ingredients

8 ounces whole-wheat cavatappi or penne
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed and thinly sliced
½ teaspoon salt, divided
½ teaspoon ground pepper, divided
8 ounces mixed mushrooms, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme and/or sage, plus more for garnish
¼ cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
4 cups baby spinach, coarsely chopped

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water, then drain.
Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cooked through, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pan. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring once, until browned, 2 to 4 minutes. Add garlic, herbs and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add wine and lemon juice and cook, scraping up any browned bits, for 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium-low.
Mix ricotta and Parmesan in a small bowl and add to the pan along with 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking water. Stir until creamy. Add the pasta and toss to coat with the sauce, adding more of the water to thin if needed. Stir in spinach and the chicken. Garnish with more Parmesan and herbs, if desired.

Originally appeared: EatingWell Magazine, April 2022

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

578	Calories
20g	Fat
53g	Carbs
45g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 1/2 cups
Calories 578
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 53g	19%
Dietary Fiber 7g	25%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 45g	90%
Total Fat 20g	26%
Saturated Fat 7g	35%
Cholesterol 95mg	32%
Sodium 729mg	32%
Potassium 832mg	18%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Creamy Chicken, Mushroom & Ricotta Pasta

Ingredients

Directions

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

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