Description
This Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta is a 30-minute wonder—rich, quick, and delightfully satisfying. A comforting weeknight dish blending tender chicken, velvety ricotta sauce, and savory herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
- 300g (10 oz) penne pasta
- 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Lower heat. Add ricotta, heavy cream, and Parmesan. Stir gently until smooth and creamy, 2–3 minutes.
- Return chicken to skillet. Add Italian herbs and chili flakes. Stir to coat evenly.
- Add cooked pasta. Toss everything together. Add a splash of pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor. For a lighter option, substitute low-fat ricotta and Greek yogurt. Add sautéed spinach or mushrooms for extra nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: chicken pasta, ricotta, creamy pasta, quick dinner, italian chicken pasta