Fidelity's Comforting Chicken and Mushroom Pasta
A creamy, savory pasta dish with tender chicken and earthy mushrooms, finished with a touch of fresh herbs for a meal that's as reliable as your financial plan. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 40 minutes pairs spaghetti, boneless, skinless chicken breasts, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 4, 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 spaghetti
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch cubes) with salt, pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, then add to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden and cooked through; remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add 1 medium onion (finely chopped) and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until softened, then add 2 cloves garlic (minced) and 8 oz cremini mushrooms (sliced) and cook for 5 minutes until mushrooms are tender and release their liquid.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, then simmer for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Add 1/2 tsp dried thyme and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Step 5: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat, then add the drained spaghetti and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, stirring until the pasta is well coated and the sauce is creamy (about 1-2 minutes).
- Step 6: Stir in 2 tbsp fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Fidelity's Comforting Chicken and Mushroom Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Fidelity's Comforting Chicken and 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 spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Fidelity's Comforting Chicken and 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 Fidelity's Comforting Chicken and Mushroom Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Fidelity's Comforting Chicken and 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
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.