Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta (Easy Weeknight)
An easy, creamy chicken and mushroom pasta recipe! Tender chicken and earthy mushrooms in a rich, spiced cream sauce, perfect for a quick and satisfying weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 tbsp spice for Chicken
- 1 packet cream of mushroom soup
- 4 chicken breasts medium, chopped
- 250 grams mushrooms
- 1 tbsp garlic
- ½ packet Pasta Of your choice
- ¼ tspn salt
- 250 ml milk
- ½ tsp oregano
Instructions
Pasta
- Add a pinch of salt to the water
- add water to a pot, add the pasta
- boil until Al dente
Chicken
- Fry the onions in a pan with the oil until brown
- Add the garlic
- add the chopped chicken breasts
- Add a pinch of salt
- Stir, close lid for about 5 min - wait until it's cooked through
- Add the Paprika
- Add the oregano
- Add the Chicken Spice
- Let it simer for another 5 minutes
- Prepare the Cream of Mushroom soup in a cup (250ml) Milk
- Pour into the mix
- Add the mushrooms, close lid
- stir and let simmer til your liking
Notes
- Perfectly Cooked Pasta: Cook your pasta to al dente (still slightly firm to the bite) as it will continue to cook slightly when added to the hot sauce.
- Reserved Pasta Water is Gold: Don't discard all your pasta water! The starchy water helps to emulsify the sauce, making it extra creamy and ensuring it clings beautifully to the pasta.
- Browning for Flavour: Take the time to properly brown both the chicken and the mushrooms. This step is crucial for developing deep, rich flavours in your dish.
- Preventing Curdled Cream: Avoid bringing the cream to a vigorous boil once added. Simmer gently to thicken. If you're concerned, you can add a tablespoon of flour or cornstarch slurry (mixed with a little water) to the sauce before adding the cream to stabilise it, but generally, gently simmering is fine.
- Spice Blend Ideas: For the "various spices," consider a balanced mix of paprika, dried thyme, oregano, a pinch of nutmeg (enhances creamy sauces), and of course, salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Chicken Options: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for a more tender, juicier result.
- Vegetable Additions: Feel free to stir in a handful of baby spinach or chopped bell peppers along with the mushrooms for extra nutrition and colour.
- Make-Ahead & Leftovers: This pasta is best enjoyed fresh. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce. (Cream sauces can sometimes separate when reheated, so manage expectations for leftovers).