This creamy chicken and mushroom pasta dish reminds me of my stepdad's cooking. He wasn't much of a cook, but he sure could whip up a delicious and hearty meal. I've put a healthier spin on it by using chickpea pasta, lean ground chicken, and nutritious chicken bone broth, all while keeping it gluten and dairy-free. It's a hearty and satisfying dish that my whole family adores!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This creamy chicken and mushroom pasta is a protein-packed meal, made even more substantial thanks to the chickpea pasta. The rich and savory taste comes from the chicken bone broth, which also brings along health benefits as it's nutrient-rich. Plus, the mushrooms and coconut cream add a luxurious creaminess that's simply irresistible, all while keeping the dish dairy-free. This creamy chicken and mushroom pasta has the perfect harmony of flavors, creating a warm and comforting dish that's ideal for a cozy, hearty dinner.
Ingredients You Will Need
Ground Chicken: Ground chicken is a lean, versatile protein that helps absorb the flavors of the seasoning and sauce easily, making it a good choice for this creamy chicken and mushroom pasta.
Chickpea Pasta: I choose chickpea pasta, particularly Banza, for the added protein boost in my dishes. To keep this Whole30 and Paleo compatible, omit the pasta and use an alternative like hearts of palm pasta, zucchini noodles or butternut noodles.
Mushroom Chicken Bone Broth: I'm a huge fan of adding bone broth over regular broth whenever I can to get all the nutritional benefits it provides along with its unique depth of flavor. You can substitute either chicken bone broth or chicken broth for the mushroom-infused chicken bone broth if you have one you prefer.
White Mushrooms: Opt for white mushrooms in this recipe as they impart a mild yet earthy flavor to this dish.
Coconut Cream: Coconut cream is ideal for dairy-free dishes, providing a creamy texture with a taste that is very mild and usually hidden by other flavors. Opting for coconut cream over coconut milk creates a thicker, creamier texture.
Onion: A yellow onion or Vidalia onion are the best choices for this recipe because they add a sweet and mellow flavor.
Garlic Powder: Using garlic powder over minced garlic is best in this recipe as it easily dissipates into the sauce for a better overall texture.
Salt and Pepper: Salt enhances and balances flavors, while pepper adds a gentle heat, improving the overall flavor of a dish.
Instructions
Cook your pasta: Once your water boils, cook your pasta according to the directions on the box, then drain and set aside.
Cook the chicken and onions: In a large skillet, add the chicken and onions and cook until the chicken is no longer pink. Season with salt, pepper and garlic.
Add the mushrooms: Once everything is seasoned and the mushrooms are added, cover the skillet and simmer on low for ten minutes.
Make the sauce: Add the broth and stir everything together. Then, add the coconut cream, stir again, then simmer for 5 more minutes.
Add the pasta: Once the sauce is done simmering, add the cooked pasta back to the pan and stir to combine all of the ingredients.
Finish cooking: Let the dish heat through for about 5 more minutes, allowing the pasta to heat back up and soak up all of the flavor.
Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Tips and Tricks
No cooking oils needed: You don't need to include additional fat or oil in the skillet before adding the ground chicken because the ground chicken naturally provides sufficient fat for cooking the onions.
Best cream for dairy-free pasta: Coconut cream is ideal for dairy-free dishes, providing a creamy texture and delightful coconut flavor.
Don't rinse the pasta: Rinsing the pasta before mixing it with the sauce is not recommended because the starch on the pasta helps the sauce stick to it.
Recipe Variations
Dairy-free: If dairy does not bother you or if you cannot tolerate coconut, you can opt for a heavy cream in place of the coconut cream.
Mushrooms: If you cannot find white mushrooms, cremini mushrooms can be substituted for a mild, earthy flavor that complements the creamy sauce without overpowering the dish.
Storage Tips
This creamy chicken and mushroom pasta can be stored in the fridge for 4-5 days when placed in a sealed airtight glass container, and it's freezer-safe for up to 6 months.
FAQs About Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta
What cream is best for a dairy-free pasta?
Coconut cream is ideal for dairy-free dishes, providing a creamy texture with a taste that is very mild and usually hidden by other flavors. While coconut milk can be used, choosing coconut cream creates an overall thicker and creamier texture.
Can ground beef be substituted for ground chicken?
You can substitute ground beef for ground chicken in this creamy chicken and mushroom pasta, but keep in mind that the dish will have a slightly different flavor. Ground beef is also richer and slightly heavier than ground chicken.
How do I cook ground chicken without drying it out?
Ensure that ground chicken is cooked thoroughly until it loses its pink color in the center, breaking up the pieces as it cooks to ensure no pink remains. Cooking the ground chicken with the onions, and mixing it with the other ingredients will keep it from drying out.
Creamy Chicken & Mushroom Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Chicken
- 8 oz Chickpea Pasta I like Banza
- 16 oz Mushroom Chicken Bone Broth I like Kettle & Fire, see notes
- 8 oz White Mushrooms sliced
- 13 ½ oz Coconut Cream
- ½ cup Onion diced
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- Cook your pasta according to directions on box, drain and set aside
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet add chicken and onions and cook till chicken is no longer pink
- Add salt, pepper and garlic
- Add mushrooms, cover and simmer on low for ten minutes
- Add broth and stir well
- Add coconut cream and stir well and simmer for 5 minutes
- Add cooked pasta to pan and stir to combine
- Let heat through about 5 minutes
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