Lush Chicken & Mushroom Pasta in Decadent Cream Sauce

Lush Chicken & Mushroom Pasta in Decadent Cream Sauce

A luxurious, restaurant-worthy dish with tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and a velvety cream sauce that clings to every bite of pasta.

Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 25 mins | Total Time: 40 mins
Servings: 4

Ingredients:

For the Pasta:

• 12 oz (340g) fettuccine, tagliatelle, or pappardelle

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, sliced into strips

• Salt & black pepper, to taste

• 8 oz (225g) cremini or wild mushrooms, sliced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 small shallot, finely diced

• 1/2 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried thyme)

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Instructions:

1. Cook the Pasta:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, then reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.

2. Sear the Chicken:

• Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until golden and cooked through (~5-6 mins). Transfer to a plate.

3. Sauté Mushrooms & Aromatics:

• In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter. Sauté mushrooms until golden (~5 mins).

• Add shallot and garlic, cooking until fragrant (~1 min).

4. Deglaze & Simmer Sauce:

• Pour in white wine, scraping up any browned bits. Let it reduce by half (~2 mins).

• Lower heat to medium, then stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, Dijon mustard, and thyme. Simmer until slightly thickened (~3-4 mins).

5. Combine & Finish:

• Return chicken to the skillet, along with cooked pasta. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed for a silky sauce.

• Stir in remaining 1 tbsp butter for extra richness. Adjust seasoning.

6. Serve:

• Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan. Pair with crusty bread or a crisp salad.

Tips for Perfection:

🍷 No wine? Use extra broth + 1 tbsp lemon juice for brightness.
🍄 Mushroom lovers? Add porcini for deeper umami flavor.
🔥 Extra decadent? Swirl in truffle oil or mascarpone at the end.

This dish is comfort food elevated—creamy, savory, and utterly indulgent. Perfect for date nights or impressing guests! 💫 Let me know if you’d like a lighter version.