Description
A quick, creamy ricotta chicken pasta recipe that’s perfect for a 30-minute lunch. Simple, hearty, and packed with flavor – your new go-to comfort food!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz dried penne or rigatoni pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 tsp dried Italian herbs (or oregano/basil)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1/2 tsp sea salt (plus more for seasoning)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions (about 10 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant (don’t let it brown).
- Add cherry tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until softened. Stir in shredded chicken, chicken broth, and Italian herbs. Simmer for 2 minutes until heated through.
- Reduce heat to low. Stir in ricotta, Parmesan, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Add spinach and let wilt for 1 minute.
- Toss in hot pasta, adding reserved pasta water a splash at a time for creaminess. Mix until everything is glossy and coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and add more spinach and tomatoes. Gluten-free pasta works well. Reserve pasta water for a creamy sauce. Use whole milk ricotta for best texture. Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 17
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 47
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 32
Keywords: creamy ricotta chicken pasta, chicken pasta, 30-minute lunch, easy pasta recipe, comfort food, Italian pasta, ricotta recipes, quick lunch, family dinner, weeknight meal