Chicken Mushroom Pasta is a creamy, flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender chicken breast and sautéed mushrooms in a garlic-Parmesan cream sauce. It’s quick, comforting, and perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy—ready in about 30 minutes
- One-pan dish means less cleanup
- Packed with savory flavor from garlic, mushrooms, and Parmesan
- Easy to customize with vegetables or protein
- Family-friendly and satisfying
ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 10 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine)
- 2–3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- Salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup chopped onion or shallot
- 3 cups sliced mushrooms (cremini or white)
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with water or 2 tablespoons flour
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish
directions

- Cook pasta according to package instructions; reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain.
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sear in a skillet with butter and olive oil until golden and cooked through; remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add onion and mushrooms; sauté until browned. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in white wine or broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer to reduce slightly.
- Stir in remaining broth and cream. Add cornstarch slurry or flour to thicken the sauce.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, then return chicken to the pan.
- Add cooked pasta and a splash of reserved pasta water to coat everything in the sauce.
- Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Servings and timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
- Total Time: 30–35 minutes
Variations
- Use chicken thighs or Italian sausage instead of chicken breast
- Add spinach, peas, or bell peppers for more vegetables
- Swap heavy cream for cream cheese or a plant-based alternative
- Make it gluten-free with GF pasta and cornstarch
- Add chili flakes or Dijon mustard for a flavor twist
storage/reheating
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Reheat on the stove or in the microwave with a splash of cream or broth
- Freezing not recommended—sauce may separate
FAQs
1. Can I make this dish without wine?
Yes, substitute with additional chicken broth.
2. What pasta works best?
Penne, rigatoni, fettuccine, or egg noodles all work well.
3. Can I make it dairy-free?
Use dairy-free cream and cheese alternatives.
4. How can I thicken the sauce?
Use cornstarch slurry or flour to thicken the cream sauce.
5. Can I add vegetables?
Yes, sauté or stir in veggies like spinach, peas, or mushrooms.
6. How do I avoid overcooking the chicken?
Sear until just cooked and add back at the end to warm through.
7. Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes, use gluten-free pasta and a cornstarch slurry.
8. How do I make it vegetarian?
Omit chicken and add more mushrooms or a meat substitute.
9. What if the sauce is too thick?
Add a splash of reserved pasta water or broth to thin it out.
10. Is it freezer-friendly?
Not ideal—cream-based sauces can separate when thawed.
Conclusion
Chicken Mushroom Pasta is a comforting, restaurant-worthy dish made easy at home. With creamy sauce, tender chicken, and earthy mushrooms, it’s a meal you’ll want to add to your regular dinner rotation. Quick, satisfying, and always a hit.
PrintChicken Mushroom Pasta
Creamy, savory chicken and mushroom pasta tossed in a garlic-herb cream sauce—comfort food at its best.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish / Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your choice)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced
- 8 oz (225 g) mushrooms, sliced (button, cremini, or mixed)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup (120 ml) dry white wine or extra broth (optional)
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley or thyme, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving ½ cup pasta water, and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In same skillet, add mushrooms and onion. Sauté until mushrooms are browned and onions are soft, about 5–7 minutes.
- Add garlic and Italian seasoning; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- If using, pour in white wine and simmer for 2–3 minutes, scraping browned bits from pan. Otherwise, skip to next step.
- Pour in chicken broth and cream. Stir and simmer gently until sauce starts to thicken, about 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in Parmesan until melted and smooth. Season sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
- Return chicken to skillet along with cooked pasta. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water gradually if sauce needs thinning.
- Heat through for 1–2 minutes until everything is well combined and warm.
- Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley or thyme and extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Use leftover or rotisserie chicken to save time—add later in step 8.
- Swap mushrooms for asparagus, peas, or spinach for added veggies.
- For a lighter dish, replace heavy cream with half-and-half or full-fat milk.
- If sauce becomes too thick as it cools, thin with a splash of broth or pasta water when reheating.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated up to 3 days; reheat gently on stovetop or in microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 of 4 servings
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg