Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken
Mushroom Pasta

Indulge in this restaurant-quality creamy pasta, featuring tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and a rich garlic butter sauce topped with sharp grated cheese.

Ingredients

• 250g spaghetti
• 200g chicken thigh
• 150g white button mushrooms
• 1/2 red onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 150ml light cream
• 100ml milk
• 30ml white wine
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• to taste salt
• to taste white pepper
• to taste grated yellow cheese
• to taste fresh parsley

Instructions

1. 1Cut the chicken

   

   Place the chicken thigh on a cutting board and carefully slice it into bite-sized pieces. Ensure the pieces are uniform in size for even cooking.

   Tip: Use a sharp knife to make clean cuts through the chicken meat without tearing it.
2. 2Marinate the chicken

   

   Place the cut chicken pieces into a bowl. Evenly sprinkle with a pinch of salt and white pepper, tossing gently to coat the meat thoroughly.

   Tip: Marinating even for a few minutes helps season the chicken deeply before cooking.
3. 3Prepare the mushrooms

   

   Clean the mushrooms and slice them into thin, even pieces on your cutting board. These will add an earthy depth to the creamy sauce.

   Tip: Wipe mushrooms with a damp cloth rather than washing them, to prevent them from becoming waterlogged.
4. 4Dice the red onion

   

   Finely dice the red onion into small, uniform cubes. This will provide a nice aromatic base and slight sweetness to the dish.

   Tip: Keep your knife blade against your knuckles when dicing to maintain control and speed safely.
5. 5Mince the garlic

   

   Finely mince the garlic cloves until they reach a uniform, small texture. This ensures the flavor distributes evenly throughout the sauce.

   Tip: Add a pinch of salt to the garlic on the board to help break it down faster while mincing.
6. 6Prepare pasta water

   

   Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a pinch of salt and a small drizzle of olive oil to the water before adding your pasta.

   Tip: Adding oil to the pasta water helps prevent the noodles from sticking together while they boil.
7. 7Boil the pasta

   

   Carefully submerge the dry spaghetti noodles into the prepared pot of boiling water. Allow the pasta to cook for approximately 10 minutes until it reaches an al dente texture.

   Tip: Adding a little olive oil to the boiling water prevents the spaghetti from sticking together while it cooks.
8. 8Prepare the aromatics

   

   Place a non-stick frying pan on the stove and add a splash of olive oil. Before the oil gets too hot, add the finely chopped garlic. Heating the garlic slowly in the oil helps to release its flavor without the risk of burning it.

   Tip: Starting with cold oil and garlic prevents the garlic from turning bitter or burning before the chicken is ready.
9. 9Sauté the chicken

   

   Take the bite-sized, marinated chicken pieces and carefully add them to the frying pan with the garlic and oil. Increase the heat slightly to begin pan-frying the chicken until it becomes lightly golden brown on all sides.

   Tip: Ensure the chicken pieces are cut to a uniform size so they cook evenly and maintain a tender texture.
10. 10Cook the chicken

    

    Use a pair of tongs to turn the chicken pieces over in the pan. Continue to fry until the edges are nicely browned and the meat is cooked through. The golden color indicates that the chicken is developing a delicious, caramelized flavor.

    Tip: Use tongs to flip the pieces individually to ensure each side gets direct contact with the hot surface of the pan.
11. 11Stir-fry the onions

    

    Once the chicken is partially cooked, add the finely chopped red onion to the pan. Stir them together with the chicken and garlic, allowing the onions to soften and incorporate their savory flavor into the mixture.

    Tip: Adding the onions after the initial browning of the chicken ensures they remain slightly crisp and sweet rather than becoming overly soft.
12. 12Sauté the mushrooms

    

    Add the sliced white button mushrooms to the pan. Sprinkle with a little salt to help the mushrooms release their moisture, which will help them cook down and develop a concentrated flavor in the pan.

    Tip: Dont crowd the pan too much; giving the mushrooms space ensures they brown rather than steam.
13. 13Add the light cream

    

    Pour 150ml of light cream into the pan with the cooked chicken and vegetables. This creates the primary rich base for the sauce that will eventually coat the pasta.

    Tip: Keep the heat at a gentle simmer to ensure the sauce thickens without splitting.
14. 14Pour in the milk

    

    Next, pour 100ml of milk into the pan. Stir everything together gently to allow the liquids to heat through, helping to thin the cream slightly and build the sauce without making it overly heavy.

    Tip: Using a combination of light cream and milk keeps the sauce rich and flavorful without making it overly heavy.
15. 15Add white wine

    

    Pour a splash of white wine into the simmering creamy sauce. The wine adds a subtle touch of acidity that perfectly balances the richness of the dairy, elevating the overall flavor of the dish.

    Tip: If you prefer not to cook with alcohol, you can easily substitute the wine with a splash of chicken broth mixed with a few drops of fresh lemon juice.
16. 16Combine pasta and sauce

    

    Once the spaghetti is cooked, use tongs to transfer it directly from the pot into the pan with the creamy chicken and mushroom mixture. Toss the pasta gently to ensure it is evenly coated with the sauce.

    Tip: If the sauce looks too thick, add a small splash of pasta water to adjust the consistency.
17. 17Simmer and thicken

    

    Let the pasta simmer in the pan, tossing the spaghetti and chicken gently to combine. As it cooks, the creamy sauce will naturally reduce and thicken, clinging beautifully to every single strand of the noodles.

    Tip: Keep the heat on medium-low during this step to prevent the dairy-based sauce from splitting or boiling too aggressively.
18. 18Plate the pasta

    

    Use your tongs to grab a generous portion of the pasta, twirling it as you lift, and carefully place it into a serving bowl. This simple twisting technique gives your homemade pasta a gorgeous, restaurant-quality presentation.

    Tip: Twirl the spaghetti around your tongs while it is still in the pan before lifting to create a neat, compact mound for plating.
19. 19Grate cheese over pasta

    

    Plate the creamy chicken and mushroom pasta, then grate a generous amount of bright yellow cheese directly over the top of the warm dish. This adds a savory richness and a beautiful color finish.

    Tip: Use a fresh block of cheese for the best melt and flavor profile compared to pre-shredded varieties.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions