One Pot Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pasta

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One Pot Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pasta that comes together in less than thirty minutes. This healthier pasta dish has half the calories of a restaurant version, is easy to make, and it has so much flavor.

437 CAL 49g CARBS 16g FAT 38g PROTEIN
14 Comments

A healthier version of Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pasta that is all made in one pot in under 30 minutes. Tender mushrooms and chicken breast in a creamy Parmesan sauce all with pasta - there isn't a dinner much better than that in my mind.

With just 437 calories, this is comfort food without the guilt.

I have been really into one-pot pasta dishes the last few weeks. I think it is a symptom of feeling stressed and overwhelmed.

By the end of the day, I want a meal that I can make in less than thirty minutes and something that is seriously comforting.

This creamy chicken pasta with mushrooms delivers. It is so easy to make and you won't believe how delicious the sauce is without using a ton of heavy cream.

One Pot Chicken and Mushroom Pasta in a white bowl with basil.

The key to making a thick and creamy sauce without using tons of heavy cream is to cook the pasta in just enough broth to create a sauce.

The broth cooks down and combines with the natural starch in the pasta to create a flavorful, surprisingly creamy sauce.

Then by adding just a touch of half & half and some Parmesan cheese, you take the sauce to the next level. I am talking about a smooth, garlicky, cheesy sauce that is delicious. Especially with the chicken and earthy mushrooms. Yum.

There are all kinds of ways to switch up the flavors in this recipe. I have suggested a few below to give you some ideas, but the possibilities are endless.

Ways to Personalize this One Pot Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pasta

Here are some ways to make this pasta dish all your own.

  • Protein: There are all kinds of options for protein in this dish. I reached for chicken breast since that is the traditional option, but chicken thighs would work as well. You could also use chicken or turkey sausage - so good. Shrimp would work too. For a vegetarian option, use chickpeas or white beans and swap in vegetable broth.
  • Add tomato: If you love having tomatoes with your pasta, you could add a drained can of diced tomatoes or fresh cherry tomatoes to the mix.
  • Spice: There are very few recipes where I don't add just a touch of heat. If you like spice, I would recommend adding some red pepper flakes to the mix while you saute the onions.
  • More veggies: To kick up the nutrients in this dish, consider adding some more veggies. Spinach, asparagus, or broccoli are my favorite options.

Healthy One Pot Chicken Mushroom Pasta in a dish with a wooden spoon.

How to Make Chicken and Mushroom Pasta without Cream?

There are many ways to make this creamy chicken pasta recipe without cream. The best option is going to depend on the reason that you are looking to make the dish without cream.

If you simply prefer not to use cream due to the fact that it is high in calories and fat, then there are tons of options. You can use canned nonfat evaporated milk, fat-free half & half, milk, reduced fat cream cheese, or even Greek yogurt or light sour cream. All of these would still turn out great but would be made without cream.

If you need a dairy-free option for this recipe to substitute for the cream, there are a few options. Personally, I think using vegan cream cheese is the best option for a super delicious and creamy pasta dish without using cream.

Another option is to use soy milk or almond milk. I find that soy milk comes out creamier since it tends to be thicker.

You can also use canned coconut milk or coconut cream. This recipe only uses 1/4 cup so it won't really change the flavor and will create the same creamy texture. You can use nutritional yeast or a vegan Parmesan to keep the whole recipe dairy free.

Is this Creamy Chicken Pasta healthy?

Normally Chicken and Mushroom Pasta is not the healthiest dish. Since it is typically made with a lot of heavy cream, it usually is high in calories, fat, and saturated fat. Some recipes have more than 700 calories per serving.

This recipe is significantly lightened up and offers a much healthy option. Here are some highlights of what makes this recipe healthy:

  • Chicken breast is a great lean protein source that is low in fat and calories. It is also high in minerals and vitamins, making it a great healthy protein option for a pasta dish.
  • The mushrooms in this recipe are an excellent source of nutrients including potassium, selenium, B vitamins, vitamin S, and copper. Plus they are full of antioxidants, low in calories, high in fiber, and a good source of plant based protein.
  • Using high fiber or whole wheat pasta in place of traditional white pasta will save you about 47 calories per cup and provide an extra 4 grams of fiber.
  • Many people do not know that there are tons of health benefits to eating onions. Packed with nutrients and minerals, onions help with iron absorption, reduce inflammation, and have been shown to help regulate blood sugar.

Can I make this as a pasta bake?

This recipe can easily be converted into a chicken and mushroom pasta bake with a few easy changes.

First, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Start by cooking the chicken, onions, mushrooms, and garlic as the recipe directs.

Then add the pasta, chicken broth, onions, mushrooms, and garlic to a baking dish covered with cooking spray.

Cover with foil tightly and bake at 400 degrees for about 50 minutes.

Remove the foil and add the sliced chicken and half and half, Top with Parmesan cheese. Return to the oven for 10 minutes or until the cheese melts.

Looking for more one pot pasta dishes?

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most common questions about this one-pot mushroom pasta dish.

There are lots of different vegetables that can be added to this pasta dish. For some added greens, fold in some baby spinach before serving the pasta. It will wilt right into the pasta. 

Kale is another great option, but make sure to saute it at the beginning so it softens enough.

Some other options that are delicious are artichokes, sundried tomatoes, and cauliflower.

This pasta can be reheated in the microwave or in a skillet. To make sure the sauce is nice and creamy, add some milk or chicken broth before reheating. 

Chicken mushroom pasta with a creamy sauce and Parmesan cheese in a bowl.
The Recipe
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One Pot Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pasta

437 CAL 49g CARBS 16g FAT 38g PROTEIN
PREP TIME: 10 Min
COOK TIME: 20 Min
TOTAL TIME: 30 Min
14 Comments
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast, sliced
  • 2 tsp. grill seasoning
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 oz. cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 1/2 cups fat free chicken broth
  • 8 oz. high fiber pasta (break spaghetti or linguine in half)
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup half and half
  • Salt and pepper

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Instructions

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1

Heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Sprinkle the chicken with grill seasoning. Add to the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned. Remove and set aside.

2

Add the onions, garlic, and mushrooms to the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes until mushrooms are becoming tender. Stir often so the garlic doesn't burn.

3

Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and simmer for 12-15 minutes until pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Stir as needed, especially as the liquid is absorbed more. Add extra liquid if needed.

4

Stir in the Parmesan cheese and half and half. Then stir in the chicken. Season with salt and pepper. Let rest for 5 minutes for the sauce to thicken.

Equipment

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Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 2 cups
Amount Per Serving
Calories 437
Calories from Fat 143
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 16g
24%
Saturated Fat 4g
19%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Cholesterol 71mg
23%
Sodium 1093mg
48%
Total Carbohydrate 49g
16%
Dietary Fiber 7g
27%
Sugars 4g
Protein 38g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
14 Comments
On One Pot Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pasta
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Kelly
January 25, 2023 - 09:53
8oz of pasta isn’t enough for my family— if I double that, should I exactly double the amount of chicken broth too?
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January 25, 2023 - 10:52
I would recommend doubling the chicken broth, half and half, and parmesan cheese to make sure there is enough sauce. Make sure to use a large pot so everything fits well and can cook together.
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Maureen B
May 23, 2022 - 19:36
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5
Very good recipe, thank you! I used the TJ goat's milk creamy cheese instead of the 1/2 and 1/2, and 8 oz of fresh morels. We got lucky and found quite a few last weekend! For the grilling spice, I used Emeril's Essence. My husband and I enjoyed it immensely!
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Angie
July 3, 2022 - 08:13
Oooh, the goats milk creamy cheese sounds like a great option! Thank you for sharing! I bet the morels made it *chef's kiss*
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Erica
February 27, 2022 - 14:57
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5
This was delicious! I can't believe one serving is 2cups. I was stuffed.
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Greg
November 13, 2021 - 02:19
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4
I made this with drumsticks,That's all they had in the shop so I cooked them in the stock as well as frying them.Im vego so had to get my wife to taste test during cooking.She gave it a big thumbs up.Thanks from Greg
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Faidah
April 7, 2020 - 03:51
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5
Can I use any other cheese than Parmesan?
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April 7, 2020 - 05:53
You could cream cheese, ricotta, or goat cheese for a creamier option. Another option would be to melt some shredded mozzarella on top.
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Susan Mansfield
August 11, 2019 - 17:02
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5
Made this dinner tonight and it was so good. I substituted the half and half with tofutti vegan cream cheese, 2 tablespoons, and it was great. Thanks for this one. It will be a regular.
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Linda
February 4, 2019 - 02:20
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5
Just made this for lunch used brown spaggheti and cooking cream instead of half and half. Delicioussssssssssss thankyou so much for this amazing recipe.
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Jacqueline
January 30, 2019 - 11:54
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5
Hey, what is the calorie and sat fat in g per portion please
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Kelly
October 18, 2018 - 18:07
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5
Just made this for dinner tonight and it was so good!! I used bow tie pasta. I can’t wait to make it again with some steak!
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jess field
April 3, 2018 - 06:38
Would using 2% milk instead of half and half really change the consistency?
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January 23, 2019 - 11:59
It will come out slightly less creamy but will still taste delicious!
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