Description
This creamy ricotta chicken pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish, combining whole wheat pasta, tender chicken, and a rich ricotta cream sauce. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and can be easily customized with fresh greens like spinach or kale.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz whole wheat pasta (penne or tortiglioni)
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
For the Cream Sauce:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (or pasta cooking water)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Add-ins:
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the whole wheat pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. Cook the Chicken:
- 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.
3. Make the Ricotta Cream Sauce:
- 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.
4. Combine Pasta, Chicken, and Sauce:
- 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.
5. Add Greens (Optional):
- Stir in fresh spinach or kale and cook until wilted (about 2-3 minutes).
6. Serve:
- Plate the pasta, garnish with fresh basil or parsley, and sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese on top.
Notes
- You can skip the heavy cream for a lighter version, or add it for extra richness.
- Fresh spinach or kale adds color and nutrition, but you can leave it out if preferred.
- This recipe can be made with any type of pasta you prefer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Creamy pasta, ricotta pasta, chicken pasta, healthy pasta, weeknight dinner, comfort food, spinach pasta