Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta Recipe
This Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a garlicky, creamy ricotta sauce. Tossed with al dente pasta and fresh herbs, this recipe is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner that feels indulgent yet homemade.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced thin
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 8 oz short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or farfalle)
Sauce
- 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)
- 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 cooking. Heat olive oil in a large skillet, then cook the chicken over medium heat until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper but hold off on herbs until later for maximum flavor layering.
- Cook the Pasta: While the chicken cooks, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook your chosen pasta until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining to use later for adjusting sauce consistency.
- Prepare the Creamy Sauce: 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, coating the chicken evenly.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together gently to ensure each piece of pasta is generously coated. If the sauce feels too thick, add more reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Finish with Fresh Herbs and Cheese: Remove from heat and stir in freshly chopped basil and parsley for a bright, fresh finish. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top and toss once more before serving hot.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs for best flavor, but dried can be substituted if needed (use 1 tablespoon dried basil and parsley).
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency for a creamier texture.
- Chicken broth can be substituted with more pasta water or a splash of white wine for added depth.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the creamy sauce at its best.
- For a lighter version, use part-skim ricotta cheese.
Keywords: Creamy ricotta chicken pasta, easy chicken pasta recipe, Italian pasta with chicken, creamy chicken pasta, quick weeknight dinner
