Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta

Serves 4 | Easy | Creamy & comforting

Ingredients

• 400 g pasta of your choice
• 500 g chicken fillets, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 250–300 g mushrooms, sliced
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 250 ml cream
• Salt, to taste
• Ground black pepper, to taste

Method

1. Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water. Before draining, reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and black pepper and cook for about 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
3. Add the sliced mushrooms to the same pan and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and softened.
4. Add the chopped onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
5. Make the sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour in the cream. Season with salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes—don’t let the cream boil vigorously.
6. Return the chicken to the pan and stir through. Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until you reach your preferred consistency.
7. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve immediately with your favourite toppings.

Tips & Variations

• Parmesan: Stir in a handful of grated Parmesan just before serving for an extra-rich, cheesy sauce.
• Crispy bacon: Fry bacon until crispy, crumble it and sprinkle over the pasta.
• Fresh parsley: Finish with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of freshness.
• No onion: Leave out the onion if you prefer a smoother, simpler sauce.
• Chives: Top with freshly chopped chives for a lovely finishing touch.
• Extra creamy: Add a splash more cream or a little pasta water to loosen the sauce.

Mom It tip: Don’t throw away that pasta water! The starchy water helps loosen the sauce while helping it cling beautifully to the pasta.