Creamy Herb-Roasted Chicken & Mushroom Pasta
A comforting weeknight meal featuring tender chicken thighs, earthy mushrooms, and fresh herbs tossed in a velvety garlic-cream sauce over perfectly al dente pasta. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 55 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, dried thyme, dried rosemary for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 780 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then season evenly with 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp dried rosemary, and 1/2 tsp salt.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken skin-side down for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and crispy, then flip and cook 3 more minutes.
- Step 3: Transfer skillet to a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven and roast for 18-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Step 4: While chicken roasts, heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add sliced mushrooms and cook for 6-7 minutes until deeply browned and tender.
- Step 5: Add minced garlic to mushrooms and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then pour in white wine and simmer for 2 minutes until reduced by half.
- Step 6: Stir in heavy cream and cook for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 7: Cook penne pasta in salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 8: Add 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to the mushroom sauce, then stir in half the parsley and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan until melted. Toss with drained pasta until evenly coated.
- Step 9: Slice roasted chicken thighs, discarding skin, and arrange over pasta. Sprinkle with remaining parsley and 1/4 cup Parmesan.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Herb-Roasted Chicken & Mushroom Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Creamy Herb-Roasted Chicken & Mushroom Pasta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Herb-Roasted Chicken & Mushroom Pasta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Creamy Herb-Roasted Chicken & Mushroom Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Creamy Herb-Roasted Chicken & Mushroom Pasta?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order italian delivery again.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.