Creamy Mushroom Chicken Spaghettini (Printer-Friendly)

Tender chicken and spaghettini in a light mushroom cream sauce—a comforting meal ready in 40 minutes.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 10.5 oz whole wheat spaghettini or regular spaghettini

→ Chicken

02 - 2 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 12 oz total)
03 - 0.5 tsp salt
04 - 0.25 tsp black pepper
05 - 1 tbsp olive oil

→ Mushrooms and Vegetables

06 - 9 oz cremini or white mushrooms sliced
07 - 2 cloves garlic minced
08 - 1 small yellow onion finely diced
09 - 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves or 0.5 tsp dried thyme
10 - 1 cup baby spinach roughly chopped optional

→ Sauce

11 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
12 - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
13 - 0.75 cup low-fat milk (1% or 2%)
14 - 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
15 - 0.5 tsp Dijon mustard
16 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Garnish

17 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
18 - Extra grated Parmesan optional

# How-To Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghettini according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water then drain and set aside.
02 - Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness. Season both sides with 0.5 tsp salt and 0.25 tsp pepper.
03 - Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove to a plate cover loosely and let rest.
04 - In the same skillet reduce heat to medium. Add mushrooms and onion; sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and golden. Add garlic and thyme cook for 1 minute.
05 - Sprinkle 2 tbsp flour over the vegetables; stir well and cook for 1 minute.
06 - Gradually whisk in 1 cup chicken broth followed by 0.75 cup milk stirring to avoid lumps. Bring to a gentle simmer; cook 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
07 - Add 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese and 0.5 tsp Dijon mustard; stir until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Add spinach now if using stir until wilted.
08 - Slice chicken into strips. Add cooked spaghettini and chicken to the sauce; toss gently to coat. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed for desired sauce consistency. Serve immediately garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The lightened cream sauce delivers all the velvety satisfaction you crave without weighing you down afterward
  • Everything cooks in one skillet while the pasta boils, meaning minimal cleanup and maximum flavor
02 -
  • Reserving pasta water is not optional hereits the liquid gold that binds sauce and pasta together into something cohesive
  • Letting the chicken rest while you make the sauce keeps it juicy, as slicing it immediately would let all those juices escape
03 -
  • Don't rush the mushroom sauté stageletting them develop golden edges adds deep, savory flavor that makes the sauce taste like it cooked all day
  • Whisking the liquid in gradually rather than all at once prevents any lumps from forming in your silky sauce
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