Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta Recipe

Introduction

Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, rich ricotta, and fresh herbs. This easy recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that feels indulgent and satisfying.

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. 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 chicken, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Lower the heat and stir in ricotta cheese along with a splash of chicken broth or reserved pasta water. Mix until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
4. Step 4: Add the cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to coat each piece of pasta. Add more reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
5. Step 5: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in freshly chopped basil and parsley. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top and toss once more before serving hot.

Tips & Variations

• Use leftover rotisserie chicken to save time while maintaining great flavor.
• Swap fresh herbs for dried Italian seasoning if fresh isn’t available, but add them earlier with the garlic.
• For extra creaminess, stir in a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of mascarpone cheese.
• Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for more vegetables and depth.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce and prevent drying out.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of cheese instead of ricotta?

Yes, mascarpone or cream cheese can be used as substitutes to achieve a similar creamy texture.

What pasta works best for this recipe?

Short pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or farfalle are ideal as they hold the creamy sauce well, but feel free to use your favorite pasta shape.

Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.5 from 121 reviews

Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta is a quick and comforting dish featuring tender chicken breast slices cooked in a creamy ricotta cheese sauce, combined with perfectly al dente pasta and fresh herbs. This recipe balances rich, cheesy flavors with fresh basil and parsley for a delicious and satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare on the stovetop.

• Author: Nora
• 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

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 and Herbs

• 8 oz short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or farfalle)
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken: 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, approximately 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper, but save the herbs for later to enhance flavor layering.
2. Cook the Pasta: While the chicken is cooking, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook your chosen pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve one cup of pasta water before draining to use for adjusting the sauce consistency later.
3. Prepare the Creamy Sauce: In the same skillet used for chicken, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Lower the heat and stir in ricotta cheese along with a splash of chicken broth or reserved pasta water. Mix until the sauce is smooth and evenly coats the chicken.
4. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the creamy sauce. Gently toss to ensure each piece of pasta is thoroughly coated. If the sauce is too thick, add more reserved pasta water to loosen it to your preferred consistency.
5. Finish with Fresh Herbs and Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the freshly chopped basil and parsley for a fresh, vibrant flavor. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top and toss once more before serving the pasta hot.

Notes

• You can substitute chicken broth with pasta water to keep the sauce lighter and enhance flavor.
• Use fresh herbs for the best taste; dried herbs will not provide the same brightness.
• Adjust the ricotta and Parmesan quantities to modify the creaminess and cheesiness according to preference.
• If you prefer, substitute chicken breasts with thighs, but cooking times may vary slightly.
• Reserve pasta water before draining as it helps adjust sauce consistency by adding starchy thickness.

Keywords: Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta, ricotta chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, Italian pasta recipe, easy chicken pasta, stovetop pasta recipe