Dive into the ultimate comfort food experience with this luxuriously creamy chicken pasta dish that combines tender chicken pieces, earthy mushrooms, and al dente fettuccine, all enveloped in a rich, cheese-laden sauce. This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal that will have your family reaching for seconds.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 chicken breasts (450g / 1 lb)
- 1 teaspoon curry powder (5g)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin (5g)
- 1 teaspoon paprika (5g)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (30ml)
For the Pasta and Sauce:
- 1 pound (450g) fettuccine
- 8 ounces (225g) champignon mushrooms, sliced
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons (30g) butter, divided
- 2 tablespoons (15g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (250ml) whole milk
- ⅔ cup (150ml) chicken broth
- 3.5 ounces (100g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken
- Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes
- In a bowl, combine curry powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper
- Coat chicken pieces with the spice mixture
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat
- Cook chicken for 6-8 minutes until golden brown; set aside
- Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil
- Cook fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente
- Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining
- Prepare the Sauce
- In the same skillet used for chicken, melt 1 tablespoon butter
- Sauté mushrooms until golden brown (5-7 minutes)
- Add onion and cook until translucent (3-4 minutes)
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant
- Add remaining butter and flour, cook for 2 minutes
- Gradually whisk in milk and broth until smooth
- Simmer until sauce thickens (3-4 minutes)
- Stir in mozzarella until melted
- Combine and Finish
- Return chicken to the skillet
- Add cooked pasta and toss to combine
- Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if needed
- Season with salt and pepper to taste
- Garnish with fresh parsley
Timing and Nutritional Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 4-6
Per Serving (based on 6 servings):
- Calories: 520
- Protein: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fat: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sodium: 580mg
Pro Tips and Tricks
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning for better browning
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken
- Cook pasta 1 minute less than package instructions for perfect al dente
- For extra richness, add 1/4 cup heavy cream to the sauce
- Toast spices in oil before adding liquid for enhanced flavor
- Use freshly grated cheese for better melting
Variations and Substitutions
- Pasta: Replace fettuccine with penne, linguine, or rigatoni
- Protein: Substitute chicken with shrimp or turkey
- Cheese: Try Pecorino Romano or Parmesan instead of mozzarella
- Mushrooms: Use portobello or shiitake mushrooms
- Make it vegetarian: Replace chicken with roasted vegetables
- Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free pasta and cornstarch as thickener
Common FAQs
Q: Can I make this dish ahead of time?
A: While best served fresh, you can prepare the chicken and sauce separately up to 24 hours ahead. Reheat gently and combine with fresh pasta.
Q: Why is my sauce too thick/thin?
A: Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water or simmer longer if too thin. For thick sauce, add more liquid gradually.
Q: Can I freeze this dish?
A: The sauce can be frozen for up to 3 months, but prepare fresh pasta when serving. Cream-based sauces may separate when thawed.
Q: How do I prevent the sauce from curdling?
A: Add warm milk gradually and avoid boiling the sauce once cheese is added.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Reheat gently on stovetop with a splash of milk or cream
- Prepare chicken and sauce separately for meal prep
- Cook pasta fresh when ready to serve
- Store uncooked spice mixture for up to 1 month
- Freeze sauce without pasta for up to 3 months
The key to this dish’s success lies in the perfect balance of spices and the silky smooth sauce. Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or craving a comforting weeknight dinner, this creamy chicken pasta delivers restaurant-quality results right in your own kitchen.
