Description
Delightful ricotta chicken pasta brings Italian comfort to weeknight dinners with minimal ingredients. Fresh herbs and silky sauce make this meal something you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne or fettuccine)
- 2 cups (480 ml) cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 cup (240 ml) ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) pasta water (reserved)
- 1 cup (240 ml) spinach (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare pasta in boiling water according to package directions, carefully extracting and preserving 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature, introducing minced garlic and sautéing until aromatic and lightly golden.
- Incorporate cooked chicken pieces into the fragrant garlic base, seasoning thoroughly with salt, ground black pepper, and Italian herb blend to enhance flavor profile.
- Reduce heat to low, gently folding ricotta cheese, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan into the pan, stirring continuously until sauce transforms into a luxurious, creamy consistency.
- Transfer drained pasta directly into the velvety sauce, meticulously coating each strand by gently tossing and rotating the mixture.
- Adjust sauce consistency by incrementally introducing reserved pasta water, creating a silkier, more fluid texture as needed.
- If desired, integrate fresh spinach leaves into the mixture, allowing them to wilt naturally and infuse additional color and nutritional value for 1-2 minutes.
- Plate immediately while piping hot, embellishing with additional Parmesan shavings and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a zesty finish.
Notes
- Swap chicken with tofu or chickpeas for a vegetarian version that maintains the creamy protein-packed profile.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish completely gluten-free without compromising texture or taste.
- Reserve pasta water strategically; the starchy liquid helps create a smoother, more cohesive sauce that clings perfectly to noodles.
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley can elevate the dish’s brightness and add an extra layer of fresh flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 493 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 390 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg