There's just something wonderfully cozy about a dish that combines tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and a silky sauce all tossed into one pot. This Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta One Pot Recipe is exactly that—a comforting, fuss-free meal that feels like a warm hug on a plate.

A close-up view of a creamy pasta dish showing several layers of smooth light yellow penne pasta mixed with small pieces of light brown mushrooms throughout. The pasta is coated in a thick, creamy off-white sauce that clings to the pasta and mushrooms, with a few thin strands of melted white cheese sprinkled on top. Scattered small green parsley leaves add bursts of color across the dish. The texture appears rich and smooth, with slight specks of black pepper on the sauce. The scene has a white marbled texture beneath the dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta One Pot Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta One Pot Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta One Pot Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta One Pot Recipe has won a special spot in my weekly rotation. It's comfort food made simple and elegant, with flavors that effortlessly blend together.

One-Pot Wonder: You cook everything in a single pot—less mess, less cleaning, more enjoying.
Rich Creamy Sauce: The combination of evaporated milk and parmesan gives a luscious texture that's not too heavy.
Flavorful Chicken & Mushrooms: Searing the chicken creates a golden crust, while mushrooms add earthiness and depth.
Perfect for Busy Nights: Ready in about an hour, it’s great to have on the table when you want a hearty home-cooked meal fast.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta One Pot Recipe plays an important role in building delicious layers of flavor without complicating the process. Choosing fresh mushrooms and quality broth really makes a difference.

Flat lay of boneless skinless chicken thigh fillets with smooth skin, a medium yellow onion halved to show the layers, four whole brown garlic cloves, a small pile of dried basil leaves, coarse salt crystals and whole black peppercorns scattered neatly, sliced fresh brown mushrooms arranged in a fan shape, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden olive oil, a small white ceramic bowl holding clear dry white wine, a small white ceramic bowl with pale yellow chicken broth, a small white ceramic bowl containing creamy evaporated milk, a small white ceramic bowl with fresh milk, uncooked pale yellow penne pasta arranged in a neat bundle, a small mound of freshly grated parmesan cheese, and a few sprigs of bright green chopped parsley all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken thigh fillets: These give you juicy, tender meat that browns beautifully and stays moist during simmering.
Dried basil: Adds herbal warmth that pairs perfectly with mushrooms and creamy sauce.
Olive oil: For sautéing, it helps brown the chicken and soften the onions without overpowering flavors.
Yellow onion: Provides a sweet, mellow base when cooked down.
Garlic: Brings aromatic depth that enhances every bite.
Dry white wine: Adds acidity and complexity, but if you want, chicken stock works fine too.
Brown mushrooms: Earthy, hearty, and soaking up the flavors from the wine and broth.
Chicken broth: This is your flavor backbone and liquid for the pasta to cook in.
Evaporated milk & milk: Create that silky, creamy sauce without the heaviness of cream.
Salt and pepper: For seasoning perfectly at different stages to balance flavors.
Penne pasta: Holds sauce nicely and cooks al dente directly in the pot.
Parmesan cheese: For that cheesy, nutty finish that melts into the sauce beautifully.
Fresh parsley: A bright pop of color and freshness to garnish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This recipe is like a blank canvas. I love switching up the mushrooms or adding a bit of heat with red pepper flakes. You can easily tailor it to what’s in your pantry or your mood.

Variation: I once swapped out penne for rotini and stirred in a handful of spinach at the end for extra greens—it didn’t disappoint.
Dairy-Free Twist: Use coconut milk instead of evaporated milk and skip the parmesan to suit dietary needs.
Extra Vegetables: Feel free to toss in some chopped bell peppers or zucchini along with the mushrooms for added freshness and color.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta One Pot Recipe

The dish is shown in a white bowl with small brown speckles, placed on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is creamy penne pasta, cooked to a soft yellow color with a smooth texture. Scattered on top are medium-sized pieces of cooked light brown chicken mixed with slices of mushrooms, all coated with a creamy sauce that blends well with the pasta. The topmost layer features a heap of grated white cheese and finely chopped fresh green parsley sprinkled evenly. To the right of the bowl is a gold fork resting on a folded green cloth napkin. In the lower left corner, a small white bowl holds extra chopped green parsley. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken

First, I season the chicken thigh fillets with dried basil, salt, and pepper. Heating 2 teaspoons of olive oil in my large pot, I sear the chicken over medium-high heat until each side is golden brown and cooked through. Getting that nice crust is key—it locks in juices and adds flavor. Once done, I set the chicken aside on a plate.

Step 2: Sauté Onion, Garlic, and Deglaze

In the same pot, I add the remaining olive oil. Then, in go the chopped onion and garlic. I stir them around about 2 minutes until the onion turns translucent, releasing their sweet aroma. Now, I pour in the white wine (or chicken broth if avoiding alcohol) and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes. This step deglazes the pan and adds extra flavor depth.

Step 3: Cook Mushrooms and Add Liquids

I toss in the sliced brown mushrooms next, cooking them about 3 minutes while stirring occasionally so they soften and absorb those lovely savory notes. Then comes the chicken broth followed by evaporated milk and regular milk, plus some salt and pepper for extra seasoning. I bring everything to a gentle simmer, setting the stage for the pasta to cook right in the pot.

Step 4: Add Pasta and Simmer Until Perfect

Next up, I add the uncooked penne pasta directly into the simmering sauce. Stirring occasionally helps prevent sticking. It usually takes around 15 minutes for the pasta to cook to that perfect al dente texture, soaking up all the flavors around it. This is the magic of the one-pot method—everything cooks in harmony.

Step 5: Melt in Cheese and Rest

Once the pasta is tender, I stir in the freshly grated parmesan until it melts smoothly into the sauce. At this point, I remove the pot from heat and let it rest for about 5 minutes. This wait helps the sauce thicken up nicely and become luxuriously creamy.

Step 6: Slice Chicken and Combine

I slice the seared chicken into strips and gently fold them back into the pasta. A final toss makes sure every bite gets that lovely chicken flavor combined with the creamy mushroom sauce. Garnishing with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of extra parmesan finishes it beautifully.

Top Tip

My personal secret to nailing this Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta One Pot Recipe every time is in the timing and layering flavors carefully. I’ve learned that rushing the sear or skipping the simmer on the wine can make a noticeable difference in taste.

Searing Chicken Properly: Make sure your pan is hot enough before adding chicken to avoid soggy skin and to lock in juiciness.
Simmering Wine Slowly: Let the wine reduce well to cut any harsh alcohol notes and concentrate flavor.
Stir Pasta Gently: Frequent stirring prevents the pasta from sticking but don’t over-stir to keep it intact.
Rest the Sauce: Allowing the dish to sit for a few minutes lets the sauce thicken perfectly before serving.

How to Serve Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta One Pot Recipe

Creamy Mushroom Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually garnish with a handful of chopped fresh parsley—it brightens the dish beautifully and adds that fresh, herbaceous note. A bit of extra parmesan on top never hurts, especially if you’re a cheese lover like me.

Side Dishes

Simple sides like garlic bread or a crisp green salad complement this creamy pasta nicely. Sometimes, I throw together a quick arugula salad dressed in lemon to cut through the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I like serving this pasta in warm bowls topped with microgreens or edible flowers. It instantly elevates the look and makes the whole experience feel fancy without extra fuss in the kitchen.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I find the sauce thickens up, so a splash of milk when reheating brings back that creamy consistency.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this pasta a couple of times, preferably before adding the parmesan. Freezing helps preserve the texture, and you can add fresh cheese when reheating. Just thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.

Reheating

Reheating gently on the stove with a bit of milk or broth stirred in works best for me, as microwave reheating tends to dry the sauce out. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and to warm evenly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts, but thighs stay juicier and are less likely to dry out during cooking. If using breasts, watch the cooking time to avoid dryness.

What if I don’t have white wine?

No worries! You can swap white wine for extra chicken broth. It won’t add the exact same depth but still works well to deglaze the pan and build flavor.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

For a vegan version, substitute chicken with firm tofu or seitan, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and swap evaporated milk for a plant-based alternative like oat or cashew milk. Skip the parmesan or use vegan cheese.

How do I know when the pasta is al dente?

Al dente means the pasta is cooked but still has a slight bite when you chew. Start checking the pasta a few minutes before the package suggests; taste a piece to see if it’s tender but firm in the center.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta One Pot Recipe really represents comfort without compromise for me. It’s the kind of meal that feels special, yet is easy enough for a weeknight. I hope you enjoy making—and eating—it as much as I do. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to keep it handy for those busy days when you need something warm, filling, and utterly delicious.