Description
Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta is a quick and delicious dinner recipe featuring tender chicken pieces sautéed with garlic, cherry tomatoes, and spinach, all combined with a luscious ricotta and Parmesan cheese sauce tossed with your choice of fettuccine or penne pasta. This comforting, creamy dish comes together in just 30 minutes, perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces of pasta (fettuccine or penne)
- 1/4 cup pasta cooking water (reserved)
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Cheeses and Garnish
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
Others
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and transfer it to a large bowl and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add Vegetables: Toss in the halved cherry tomatoes and fresh spinach leaves. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the tomatoes soften.
- Make the Sauce: Reduce heat to medium and add ricotta cheese to the skillet, stirring until well combined. Gradually add the reserved pasta cooking water until you reach desired sauce consistency. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes, mixing until cheese melts and sauce is creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta back into the skillet and toss gently to coat evenly with the creamy sauce. Add additional pasta water if the pasta seems dry.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and serve the creamy ricotta chicken pasta in bowls or plates. Garnish with freshly chopped basil and extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Use fettuccine or penne pasta as preferred; both work well with the creamy sauce.
- Reserve some pasta cooking water as it helps loosen the sauce for the perfect creamy consistency.
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or omit for a milder flavor.
- Fresh basil adds a fragrant, fresh note; you can substitute with parsley if unavailable.
- This recipe can be prepared ahead by cooking chicken and sauce components separately and combining with freshly cooked pasta when ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
