Description
This Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta is a comforting and delicious one-pan meal featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a smooth ricotta cheese sauce, combined with perfectly al dente pasta and fresh herbs for a bright finish. Ideal for a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe blends simplicity with rich and fresh flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced thin
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or reserved pasta water (plus extra as needed)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Pasta and Garnish
- 8 oz short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or farfalle)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice your chicken breasts into thin, bite-sized pieces to ensure quick and even cooking. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the chicken. Cook until golden brown and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper. Avoid adding herbs at this stage to keep flavor layers distinct.
- Cook the Pasta: While the chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your chosen short pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of pasta water to use later for sauce consistency adjustment.
- Prepare the Creamy Sauce: In the same skillet with the cooked chicken, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to low, then stir in the ricotta cheese along with a splash of chicken broth or reserved pasta water. Stir gently until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy, coating the chicken evenly.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the ricotta sauce and chicken. Toss everything together gently so each piece of pasta is coated with the creamy sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, gradually add more reserved pasta water to loosen it up to your desired consistency.
- Finish with Fresh Herbs and Cheese: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the freshly chopped basil and parsley to add freshness and herbaceous notes. Finally, sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese on top and toss everything once more to combine. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Use chicken broth or reserved pasta water to control the sauce thickness without diluting the flavor.
- Thinly slicing the chicken helps it cook quickly and evenly.
- Fresh herbs added at the end brighten the dish and enhance flavor complexity.
- Any short pasta shape works well; choose your favorite.
- For a richer sauce, you can add a tablespoon of butter or cream if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Creamy ricotta chicken pasta, ricotta chicken pasta, easy chicken pasta recipe, Italian chicken pasta, one-pan creamy pasta
