Description
This Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta recipe features tender chicken breasts cooked in a lightly seasoned olive oil base, combined with a rich and smooth ricotta cheese sauce. Tossed with perfectly al dente pasta and fresh herbs like basil and parsley, this dish is finished with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, creating a flavorful, comforting, and elegant meal ideal for weeknights or casual dinner parties.
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 chicken broth or reserved pasta water (plus extra as needed)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 8 oz short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or farfalle)
Herbs
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts into thin, bite-sized pieces for quick and even 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, seasoning with salt and black pepper. Avoid adding herbs at this stage to maximize flavor layering.
- Cook the Pasta: While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve one cup of pasta water for the sauce and then drain the pasta.
- Prepare the Creamy Sauce: In the same skillet that you cooked the chicken, add the minced garlic and sauté over medium heat until fragrant, about one minute. Lower the heat, then stir in the ricotta cheese along with a splash of chicken broth or reserved pasta water. Mix thoroughly until the sauce is smooth and creamy, coating the chicken evenly.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the creamy sauce. Gently toss to ensure every piece of pasta is well coated in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add additional reserved pasta water gradually until the desired consistency is reached.
- Finish with Fresh Herbs and Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the freshly chopped basil and parsley to add a fresh, vibrant flavor. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese on top and toss gently once more before serving the dish hot.
Notes
- Use any short pasta like penne, rigatoni, or farfalle to best hold the creamy sauce.
- Reserve pasta water when cooking pasta; it helps adjust the sauce’s thickness gracefully.
- Fresh herbs added at the end preserve their color and flavor, enhancing the dish’s brightness.
- For a lighter dish, substitute chicken broth with low-sodium broth or water.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken for a tender texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Creamy ricotta chicken pasta, Italian chicken pasta, ricotta cheese pasta, quick chicken pasta dinner, creamy chicken pasta recipe, easy stovetop pasta
