Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta with Red Pepper - pasta in a creamy, garlicky sauce with slices of juicy chicken, mushrooms, and red peppers. A quick and easy pasta dish full of amazing flavor. Ready in under 30 minutes.
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Mushroom Chicken Pasta is a family favorite
Pasta is my go-to dish when I want a quick and easy dinner that the whole family loves. And nothing satisfies a carb craving like a big bowl of creamy, garlicky pasta with chicken. Flavored with mushrooms, red bell peppers, and parmesan – a wonderful combination. It’s definitely a family favorite!
What’s my secret to amazing pasta dishes?
It starts off with a good quality, al dente pasta. Next is my garlicky cream sauce that’s a base for many of my pasta sauces. It’s seasoned perfectly with garlic, cream, and parmesan – that umami flavor bomb. The real secret? Flavor combinations that perfectly balance each other.
In this case, I wanted a mushroom pasta. What pairs well with mushroom? Definitely butter and cream. And for delicious depth of flavor that complements the mushrooms, to scent the sauce, and add color and texture: red bell peppers and a sprinkling of thyme and parsley. Thyme adds an earthy, woodsy flavor. Parsley adds a bright, fresh flavor.
How to make Mushroom Chicken Pasta
For quicker, more even cooking, slightly flatten breasts with a kitchen mallet. If they are very thick, slice them in half horizontally before flattening. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté chicken breasts in a little oil until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and slice. Skinless, boneless chicken thighs work great in this recipe, too.
Add remaining tablespoon oil to pan. Add onions and cook until softened. Add mushrooms and cook until golden brown. Add the red pepper and garlic, stir, and cook for about 2 minutes.
Deglaze pan with water and bouillon cube, scraping bottom to release any bits sticking to the bottom of the pan. Add cream and thyme. Bring to a simmer. Let simmer 2-3 minutes then turn off heat. Add parmesan slowly, whisking constantly until melted. Salt and pepper to taste. I like to add the sliced chicken to the sauce so it gets good and covered with sauce.
Sprinkle with parsley, then toss with pasta.
Recipe
Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta with Red Pepper and Thyme
Ingredients
- 1 lb penne 500g or other pasta (cooked until al dente and tossed with 2 tablespoons butter)
- 2 tablespoons olive or canola oil
- 1 lb chicken breasts (or boneless, skinless thighs) 500g
- 1 medium onion chopped
- ½ lb mushrooms sliced (250g)
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 5 cloves garlic minced fine
- 1 chicken bouillon cube
- 1 cup water (8oz, 227g)
- 1 ¼ cups heavy cream (10oz, 283g)
- ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese (3oz, 85g)
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried
- 3 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- For quicker, more even cooking, slightly flatten breasts with a kitchen mallet. If they are very thick, slice them in half horizontally before flattening. Season with salt and pepper.
- Heat a skillet over high heat. When pan is hot, add 1 tablespoon oil.
- When oil is hot, put chicken in pan and cook until golden brown on both sides and cooked through. Remove chicken from pan and slice.
- Add remaining tablespoon oil to pan. Add onions and cook until softened.
- Add mushrooms and cook until golden brown.
- Add the red pepper and garlic, stir, and cook for about 2 minutes.
- Deglaze pan with water and bouillon cube, scraping bottom to release any bits sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Add cream and thyme. Bring to a simmer. Let simmer 2-3 minutes then turn off heat.
- Add parmesan slowly, whisking constantly until melted.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- Add sliced chicken and parsley to sauce, then toss with pasta.
- Serve.
Notes
- You can use white or yellow onions.
- Feel free to use white or cremini or a mix of mushrooms.
Nutrition
Enjoy, friends!
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Kihisha says
Wow we loved it! Simple to make and full of flavour!
Kelly says
So happy you liked it!
Gerrit says
Loved it!!!
Delicious, very lecker... 😉
Made it tonight, a little more actually, and will have it for another evening. Paired with a Riesling, just nice!
I went a little off recipe, and added some bacon bits...
Kelly says
That would be awesome, Gerrit! So happy you liked it! Thanks so much!
Kelly @ Kelly Lynn’s Sweets and Treats says
Even though it’s still in the dead heat of summer here, I would get down with a bowl of this deliciousness! All the flavors sound AMAZING!! I would eat the whole bowl
Kelly says
Gimme all the pasta, all year long! I love the flavors in this dish! Thanks so much, Kelly!
Olga says
Pasta is our to-go meal. Kids favorite of all time :). I love how this dish is so easy to make and so flavorful. Perfect for weeknight dinner or even family gathering.
Kelly says
Pasta dishes are definitely something the whole family loves! And I love how easy they are. Thanks so much, Olga!
Merryn Galluccio says
HOw fantastic, I love that you've whisked in the parmesan sans heat. This is an all purpose creamy dish that could be easily to adjusted to other flavours as well. I am so glad to have found your website 😀
Kelly says
Aw, thanks so much, Merryn! I learned to whisk in the parmesan after turning off the heat the hard way!
Balvinder says
Fabulous! when I am crunched for time pasta is what I make. Your recipe has all the ingredients I love.
Kelly says
It's a lifesaver on a busy night and the whole family loves it! Win-win! Thanks so much, Balvinder!
Kankana Saxena says
That looks deliciously creamy. I love a good mushroom pasta, always comes handy on busy days.
Kelly says
Mushroom pasta is so yummy! Busy days or lazy days - it never fails to please! Thanks so much, Kankana!
Laura says
I love all the flavors here! Thanks for this easy and elegant recipe! Can’t wait to give it a try. I imagine it would be a favorite of my family, too!
Kelly says
The flavors all combine so beautifully in this dish! Thanks so much, Laura!
priya says
I am a die heart pasta love here And I seriously love the vibrant colors.
Kelly says
Me too! Pasta is definitely my fave! Thanks so much, Priya!
Susan says
How luscious! Such fabulous flavors in this dish!
Kelly says
The flavors in this pasta are so delicious! Thanks so much, Susan!
mimi rippee says
A fabulous pasta dish. I can see sitting in front of my ipad and just chomping away on this goodness. So glad you're not scared of cream!
Kelly says
The cream gives it the perfect texture and wonderful flavor! Thanks so much, Mimi!
Ken says
Dish is very liquid. Not creamy. How do you serve it. More like a heavy soup
Kelly says
Hi Ken, Let the sauce simmer a bit until it thickens. It will also thicken as it's absorbed into the pasta.
nicole (thespicetrain.com) says
Love everything about this delicious pasta dish. I want to dive in head first!! 🙂
Kelly says
We love it! Thanks so much, Nicole!
Haylie / Our Balanced Bowl says
Kelly, this recipe looks right up my alley! Anytime there is creamy and garlicky pasta involved - I'm there! Especially with those delicious mushrooms and chicken on top! YUM!!
Kelly says
Creamy, garlicky pasta is my fave! Thanks so much, Haylie!