Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta: Cozy, Quick Dinner
This creamy ricotta chicken pasta is a quick, comforting dish made with tender chicken, garlic, Parmesan, lemon, and a rich ricotta sauce — ready in 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or rotini)
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- 1 tsp lemon zest + 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1–2 cups baby spinach, red pepper flakes, fresh herbs
Instructions
- Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup water, then drain.
- In a skillet, sauté garlic in olive oil for 30 seconds.
- Add chicken and stir until heated through.
- Stir in ricotta, Parmesan, lemon zest and juice. Mix until smooth.
- Add cooked pasta and toss with sauce. Loosen with pasta water as needed.
- Season and garnish with herbs, more Parmesan, or a drizzle of olive oil.
Notes
- Add spinach or tomatoes for variety.
- Use rotisserie chicken for a faster meal.
- Reheats well with a splash of water or broth.