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Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 124 reviews

Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish combining tender, thinly sliced chicken breasts with a luscious ricotta-based sauce, fresh herbs, and al dente short pasta. The sauce is enriched with garlic, Parmesan cheese, and a splash of chicken broth or pasta water, making for a rich, creamy coating that perfectly complements the pasta and chicken. This stovetop recipe is quick to prepare and ideal for a satisfying weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Sauce

  • 2 chicken breasts, sliced thin
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 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

Pasta

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

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Slice your chicken breasts into thin, bite-sized pieces to ensure quick cooking. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the chicken. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, but hold off on adding herbs until later for maximum flavor layering.
  2. Cook the Pasta: While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about one cup of pasta water for adjusting sauce consistency, then drain the pasta.
  3. Prepare the Creamy Sauce: In the same skillet with the cooked chicken, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute or until fragrant over medium-low heat. Reduce the heat, then stir in the ricotta cheese along with a splash of chicken broth or reserved pasta water. Mix well until the sauce becomes smooth, creamy, and thoroughly coats the chicken pieces.
  4. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the ricotta sauce and chicken. Gently toss everything together to ensure each piece of pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce. If the sauce feels too thick, add more 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 for a bright, fresh flavor. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese on top and toss once more to combine evenly before serving the pasta hot.

Notes

  • Use pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency, as its starch content helps the sauce cling well to pasta.
  • Thinly slicing the chicken ensures quicker and even cooking.
  • Fresh herbs like basil and parsley add brightness and freshness to the creamy sauce.
  • For a lighter version, substitute part of the ricotta with low-fat ricotta or cottage cheese.
  • This dish reheats well; add a splash of water or broth when warming to maintain creaminess.

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

Find it online: https://dylangranv.com/creamy-ricotta-chicken-pasta-recipe/