Description
Indulge in this quick and easy Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta, a comfort food favorite blending tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a velvety ricotta sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Pasta and Sauce:
- 12 ounces pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your choice)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water (adjust as needed)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions.
- Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
- Season chicken breasts with garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken for 4–5 minutes per side, or until golden and fully cooked (internal temp: 165°F).
- Let rest before slicing into strips or bite-sized pieces.
Step 3: Make the Ricotta Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic for 1 minute.
- Lower the heat, then stir in ricotta, parmesan, heavy cream, and red pepper flakes (if using) until smooth.
- Gradually add reserved pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to achieve desired consistency.
Step 4: Combine and Serve
- Toss the cooked pasta in the sauce until fully coated.
- Fold in sliced chicken and mix gently.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm over low heat with a splash of cream or milk to restore creaminess.
- Customizations: Add veggies like spinach, broccoli, or roasted tomatoes for a nutritional boost.
- Low-Fat Version: Use part-skim ricotta and milk instead of cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: Stove-top
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta Easy Chicken Pasta Recipe Ricotta Pasta Sauce 30-Minute Pasta Recipes Chicken Dinner Ideas