If you’re craving a pasta dish that’s both luxuriously creamy and impossibly easy to whip up, you’re in for a treat with this Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta Recipe. In just about 30 minutes, you can enjoy a bowl brimming with tender chicken, velvety ricotta, and a satisfying medley of flavors that taste like pure comfort. The combination of classics like Parmesan and basil with fresh, bright notes of spinach and parsley makes this pasta a weeknight favorite that feels restaurant-worthy — all without the fuss. Whether you’re feeding family, entertaining friends, or simply treating yourself, this one-pot wonder delivers pure joy in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this dish is chosen for a reason: simplicity and flavor. With pantry staples and a handful of fresh touches, each item builds the perfect texture, creaminess, or punch of color that makes the Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta Recipe so special.
- Pasta: Penne, rigatoni, or your favorite short shape is perfect for clinging onto that creamy sauce.
- Olive oil: Adds a subtle fruitiness and helps build the base flavor for the sauce.
- Garlic: Just two cloves bring a mellow, fragrant kick — don’t skip it!
- Cooked chicken: Rotisserie or any leftover chicken speeds up prep and soaks up the cheesy sauce.
- Ricotta cheese: The star ingredient, lending a lush, silky creaminess that makes this pasta shine.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds depth and a finishing umami bite; freshly grated is always best.
- Milk: A splash of milk lightens the sauce and keeps it delightfully smooth.
- Dried basil: Infuses the dish with sweet, aromatic herbal notes.
- Salt: Just enough to pull all the flavors together without overpowering.
- Black pepper: A gentle warmth that lifts the entire dish.
- Baby spinach (optional): Sneak in some greens for color and added nutrition with barely any effort.
- Fresh parsley (optional): A pop of green on top adds freshness and a restaurant-fancy feel.
How to Make Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil and cook your chosen pasta until just al dente. This ensures the noodles still have some bite and will hold up when tossed with the cheesy sauce. Before draining, scoop out half a cup of the starchy cooking water — it’s secret liquid gold for adjusting the sauce’s consistency later!
Step 2: Sauté Garlic and Warm the Chicken
Grab your largest skillet and heat the olive oil over medium. Toss in the minced garlic, letting it sizzle gently for a quick 30 seconds until fragrant without browning — you want to wake up the garlic’s aroma. Add your cooked chicken, then stir for another 2 to 3 minutes; this step gets the chicken warm and ready to absorb all the flavors ahead.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Sauce
Lower the heat and add the ricotta, Parmesan, and milk straight to the pan. Sprinkle in the basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything patiently until you’re rewarded with a sauce that’s smooth, creamy, and beautifully unified. If you notice the sauce is a bit too thick, drizzle in a little bit of that reserved pasta water until it reaches your ideal creaminess.
Step 4: Toss Pasta and Fold in Spinach
Add your cooked pasta right into the skillet and toss gently so every noodle is enveloped in creamy, cheesy goodness. If you’re using baby spinach, stir it in now; the residual heat will wilt it perfectly in just a minute or two, blending nutrition and color effortlessly into the Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta Recipe.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Once the pasta is glistening with sauce and any spinach has just wilted, turn off the heat. Sprinkle a flurry of chopped fresh parsley if you like, and scoop the pasta into warm bowls. Serve immediately while it’s at its melty, creamy best.
How to Serve Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
A generous dusting of fresh parsley instantly lifts the flavors, while an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese is always welcome. For a citrusy twist, a squeeze of lemon or a bit of lemon zest right before serving adds freshness — try it once, and you’ll be hooked on this finishing touch.
Side Dishes
This pasta shines on its own, but it pairs beautifully with simple sides. Try a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette or some roasted vegetables for color and crunch. Garlicky toasted bread or a basket of warm focaccia is perfect for soaking up any leftover sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
You can elevate a weeknight dinner by serving this Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta Recipe in shallow pasta bowls, nestling it in a family-style platter for sharing, or even stuffing the mixture into roasted bell peppers for a fun, portable appetizer. Garnish with extra herbs or edible flowers for an elegant touch at gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, spoon any remaining pasta into an airtight container and refrigerate. It’ll keep well for up to 3 days, with the flavors melding and deepening as it sits — making lunch the next day a serious treat.
Freezing
Although pasta with creamy sauces can sometimes separate upon thawing, this recipe fares better than most thanks to the ricotta. Freeze in single portions for up to a month; just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. If the sauce looks a bit grainy after defrosting, a quick stir with a splash of milk will bring it back to life.
Reheating
Gently reheat leftovers on the stove over low heat or in the microwave in short bursts. Add a spoonful of milk or a dash of pasta water if needed to keep things creamy and luscious — just like when you first made it!
FAQs
Can I use another type Main Course
While ricotta gives the Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta Recipe its signature silkiness, you can swap in mascarpone or even cottage cheese for a different texture. Each brings its unique character, so feel free to experiment based on what you have on hand.
What’s the best pasta shape to use?
Short, chunky shapes like penne or rigatoni are ideal as they hold onto the creamy sauce, but shells or even fusilli work well, too. The key is to use a sturdy shape that won’t get lost in the richness of the sauce.
How can I add more flavor?
Try sautéing a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic, or adding chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the chicken for a pop of brightness. Using grilled or smoked chicken can also lend a new layer of savory flavor to this Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta Recipe.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prepping?
Absolutely! You can cook the pasta and chicken ahead of time or prep the sauce a day in advance. Just store everything separately and assemble fresh for the best texture when ready to eat.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Definitely. Just omit the chicken and consider adding extra veggies like mushrooms, peas, or roasted bell peppers for substance and color. The creamy ricotta and Parmesan sauce is delicious all on its own!
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta Recipe is one of those rare dishes that rewards you with comfort and joy for just a little effort. Whether you crave an easy weeknight winner or something to impress your pasta-loving friends, give it a try — you’ll want to make it again and again!
Print
Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the creamy goodness of this Ricotta Chicken Pasta that’s quick to make and full of flavor. With tender chicken, rich ricotta cheese, and a touch of basil, this dish is a comforting delight for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or your choice)
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup baby spinach (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta until al dente, then reserve some pasta water before draining.
- Prepare the Sauce: Sauté garlic in olive oil, then add chicken. Mix in ricotta, Parmesan, milk, basil, salt, and pepper until creamy.
- Combine: Toss the cooked pasta in the sauce, adding reserved water if needed. Add spinach and mix gently.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley and enjoy!
Notes
- Enhance with grilled or rotisserie chicken.
- Try part-skim ricotta or a dash of lemon for variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 430mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
