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Chicken Shells with Mushrooms in Garlic Parmesan Sauce

Indulge in tender chicken and savory mushrooms enveloped in delicate pasta shells, all cradled in a rich garlic Parmesan sauce for a comforting culinary experience.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 720
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Chicken
  • 12 oz medium pasta shells
  • 2 pieces chicken breasts, diced
Mushrooms and Seasonings
  • 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Cooking Essentials
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
Creamy Sauce Ingredients
  • 1.5 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1.25 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 0.5 cup mozzarella cheese
Optional Garnishes
  • parsley for garnish
  • crushed red pepper flakes optional, for heat
  • cracked black pepper for taste

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta shells according to package instructions until tender. Drain and set aside.
Cooking the Chicken
  1. Season the diced chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5–7 minutes until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
Sautéing the Mushrooms
  1. In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add sliced mushrooms and cook for 4–5 minutes until golden and tender.
  2. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Making the Sauce
  1. Pour in the heavy cream and milk, stirring well. Let simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  2. Stir in the Parmesan and mozzarella cheese until melted into a creamy, silky sauce.
Final Assembly
  1. Return the cooked chicken and pasta shells to the skillet. Toss gently until everything is fully coated in the rich garlic Parmesan sauce.
  2. Top with parsley, cracked black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if desired. Serve hot.

Notes

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of cream for restored texture. Fresh ingredients can enhance the flavors; consider herbs like thyme or basil for added freshness.