Quick Shrimp & Chicken Pasta
A vibrant and flavorful pasta dish that combines succulent shrimp and tender chicken with earthy mushrooms in a rich, buttery sauce, perfect for a speedy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 200 g linguine or spaghetti
- 2 tbsp olive oil divided
- 250 g boneless skinless chicken breast
- 250 g large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 150 g cremini mushrooms sliced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes optional
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 0.5 cup chicken broth
- 0.25 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add chicken cubes and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same skillet. Add sliced mushrooms and cook until softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add butter and chicken broth to the skillet, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the heavy cream.
- Return the cooked chicken and add the shrimp to the skillet. Cook until the shrimp turn pink and opaque, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet, tossing gently to coat all the ingredients with the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley before serving hot.
Notes
For an extra kick, add a pinch more red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce. Fresh parsley or chives make a great garnish and add a pop of color. You can also swap chicken for sausage or omit it for a purely seafood dish. Serve with a crisp green side salad and some crusty garlic bread to complete your meal.