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Chicken & Mushroom pasta is a dish that exudes understated elegance and timelessness. The harmony of earthy mushrooms, cream, and chicken comes together to create a sophisticated meal.

The nature of this dish is rooted in the philosophy of flavour, with the earthy mushrooms adding a deep, umami-rich note, and the lightness of the chicken breast, shallow-poached to incredible tenderness. The best part about this dish is that it is easily customizable. You can use cremini mushrooms to add density, or Oyster mushrooms, which are known for their delicate and soft edges.

Some people season chicken breasts with salt and black pepper, then sear them in a pan or a cast-iron skillet. For this recipe, we have chosen to shallow-poach the chicken in a bit of water, butter, and a little bit of seasoning. This step ensures that the Chicken breast maintains its tender, soft texture.

Ingredients

Chicken Breast, Onions, Leeks, Garlic cloves, Paprika powder, White Pepper Powder, Salt, Penne Pasta, and Fresh Cream.

For this recipe, we are using Fresh cream, which is a key element in ensuring that the sauce is thick enough to coat the pasta, yet fluid enough to swirl effortlessly. Chicken breasts provide the protein; you can use deboned chicken thighs instead. Onions and garlic add that savoury element, and when caramelized, they offer a hint of sweetness. Leeks are the unexpected factor in this dish; they add depth and a bit of an herbal flair.

White pepper powder was used in place of Black pepper powder to ensure that the dish maintains its aesthetically creamy appearance without the specks of black pepper flakes. Paprika powder adds a light heat to the creamy sauce.

Instructions

Wash the chicken breast and cut it into cubes. Add water to a pot, and add the chicken breast with butter, salt, and white pepper. It will shallow-poach for six to eight minutes on medium-high heat. The Chicken breast will turn from pink to white. After it is done, switch off the heat and set it aside.

Slice the onions, garlic cloves, and leeks. Add cooking oil to a pan, then set the temperature and the heat to medium-low. Add the onions and sauté for six minutes, then add the garlic and leeks. Sauté for an additional two minutes. Add the caramelized onions, leeks, and garlic to the same pan as the shallow-poached chicken.

Peel the mushrooms and wash them under running water. Add it to the pan. Sauté it for six minutes until cooked. After the mushrooms are cooked, add them to the pot and mix them in. During that time, boil one pot of water to cook the pasta. Set the timer. After the water is at a rolling boil, add the penne pasta and cook for eight minutes, until al dente.

Now, to the Chicken & Mushroom pasta sauce, add the fresh cream to the mushrooms and chicken. Add paprika powder to add a touch of heat and colour to the creamy sauce.

Mix the ingredients well and lightly heat the mixture—reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water. Add the penne pasta to the creamy mixture. On medium-low heat, add the pasta water and mix until the sauce is smooth and silky.

Serve the dish with grated Parmesan cheese and sliced parsley to add more character and flavour. You can also add crunchiness to the pasta with some crispy croutons.

This Creamy Chicken & Mushroom dish is a recipe that you will make on repeat. The fresh cream adds a light flavour. If you would like extra creaminess, you can use heavy cream instead.

What to Serve with Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta?

Creamy chicken & mushroom pasta is a rich and savoury dish. The best side-dishes are those that add a light crunch to elevate the main meal. Consider a Classic Caesar salad, the crisp lettuce leaves with the tangy dressing will accentuate the flavours of the pasta dish. Since the main dish already contains chicken, you can omit it from the Caesar salad. Rocket and Red pepper salad will also work well with this pasta dish.

If you want to accentuate the garlicky notes of this dish, consider buttery garlic bread or bruschetta with a bowl of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Honey-glazed carrots, or Grilled Asparagus, will also amplify the flavours of the mushrooms.

How to Store Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta?

Cream-based pasta dishes tend to absorb the sauce over time. It is best to cool the dish down and allow the pasta to cool slightly. Store in an airtight container for three to four days. Reheat on the stovetop on low heat or place in the microwave for 15 to 25 seconds to warm up.