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Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta: A Velvety, Flavorful Delight

Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta: A Velvety, Flavorful Delight

A rich and creamy pasta dish featuring tender chicken and ricotta cheese, perfect for a wholesome meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 620 kcal

Equipment

  • large pot
  • skillet
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • colander

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Chicken

  • 12 oz whole wheat pasta (penne or Tortiglioni)
  • 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Cream Sauce

  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup chicken broth or pasta cooking water
  • ½ cup heavy cream (optional for extra creaminess)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Greens and Garnish

  • 2 cups fresh spinach or kale (optional)
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions
 

Cooking Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the whole wheat pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Lower the heat to medium-low and add ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, chicken broth, and heavy cream (if using). Stir until smooth. Add Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  • Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat in the sauce. Add the cooked pasta and toss to combine. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
  • Stir in fresh spinach or kale and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
  • Plate the pasta, garnish with fresh basil or parsley, and sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

You can adjust the creaminess by adding more heavy cream. For extra flavor, use pasta water instead of chicken broth. If you don’t like spinach or kale, you can skip the greens or use another leafy green like arugula.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 620kcalCarbohydrates: 74gProtein: 35gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 700mgFiber: 5gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 3mg
Keyword chicken, Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta, dinner, pasta, ricotta, wholesome meal
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