Description
Creamy chicken ricotta pasta blends Italian comfort with silky, rich flavors that dance across your palate. Delicate pasta embraces tender chicken and velvety ricotta, creating a luxurious meal that promises pure culinary satisfaction for you.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into pieces
Dairy:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- 2 cups fresh spinach or kale
- Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill a generously sized pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Cook pasta until perfectly tender, maintaining a slight bite. Set aside ½ cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature. Generously season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Sizzle for 6-8 minutes until achieving a golden exterior and ensuring complete internal cooking. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
- Within the same skillet, introduce minced garlic and sauté briefly until aromatic, approximately 1 minute.
- Blend ricotta, Parmesan, chicken broth, and heavy cream into a silky smooth mixture, stirring continuously.
- Incorporate Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until ingredients merge seamlessly.
- Reintroduce cooked chicken into the creamy sauce, ensuring even distribution.
- Gently fold pasta into the skillet, coating each strand thoroughly with the luxurious sauce.
- Introduce leafy greens like spinach or kale, allowing them to wilt for 1-2 minutes.
- Adjust sauce consistency by splashing reserved pasta water if needed.
- Finish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs and serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Customize chicken thickness by pounding it evenly before cooking to ensure uniform, tender pieces.
- Choose low-fat ricotta and Greek yogurt for a lighter, healthier version without compromising creamy texture.
- Experiment with protein alternatives like shredded rotisserie chicken or tofu for quick meal variations.
- Make this dish gluten-free by substituting regular pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta options.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg