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Whipped Ricotta One Pot Chicken Pasta in a bowl with basil

Whipped Ricotta One Pot Chicken Pasta

A rustic-fancy one pot chicken pasta ready in 30 minutes. Bold sun-dried tomato sauce, tender chicken, and creamy hand-whipped ricotta. Simple enough for a weeknight and impressive enough for guests.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 5 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American, Western
Calories: 647

Ingredients
  

CHICKEN
  • 1 lb boneless chicken thigh fillets cut into small bite-size pieces; breast or tenderloin also work
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
PASTA
  • 7 oz jar sun-dried tomato strips in oil drained, reserve the oil
  • 3 tbsp oil from the sun-dried tomato jar
  • 1 small onion finely diced
  • 2 garlic cloves finely minced
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste ok to skip if you do not have it
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine optional; Chardonnay preferred, or use rose, red, or flat champagne
  • 14 oz canned crushed tomato
  • 12 oz fusilli pasta uncooked; or penne, ziti, macaroni, small shells
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken stock sub water plus 1/2 tsp extra salt
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves roughly chopped; plus extra for garnish
WHIPPED RICOTTA
  • 1/2 cup full-fat ricotta deli-counter or basket-style preferred; Paesanella brand recommended
  • 4 tbsp whole milk preferably full fat; any fat percentage works
  • 1/4 cup finely grated parmesan packed

Equipment

  • Large heavy based pot
  • mixing bowl
  • Hand whisk
  • Slotted spoon

Method
 

  1. Make the whipped ricotta. Combine the ricotta, parmesan, and milk in a bowl. Whisk vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds until smooth and creamy like softly whipped cream. Add a small splash more milk if needed to loosen. Set aside.
  2. Seal the chicken. Heat the sun-dried tomato oil in a large heavy-based pot over high heat. Add the chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 3 minutes until the outside is sealed but the inside is still raw. Remove with a slotted spoon into a bowl and set aside.
  3. Build the flavor base. In the same pot, add the onion and garlic. Cook for 3 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the tomato paste and drained sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 1 minute to develop the flavors.
  4. Deglaze with wine. Pour in the white wine and simmer rapidly for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring to loosen any golden bits from the bottom of the pot, until mostly evaporated.
  5. Add pasta and liquids. Return the chicken and any juices from the bowl to the pot with the raw pasta. Stir to coat everything. Pour in the chicken stock, canned tomato, salt, and pepper.
  6. Cook 15 minutes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-high so it simmers energetically but not wildly. Cook uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes at first and more frequently toward the end to prevent the base from catching.
  7. Check doneness. The pasta should be just al dente and most liquid absorbed, though still slightly soupy. This is correct as pasta absorbs liquid fast once served. Stir in the fresh basil.
  8. Serve. Transfer to a large serving bowl or individual bowls. Dollop the whipped ricotta generously on top and smear it around lightly. It will melt into creamy pools over the hot pasta. Garnish with extra basil and serve immediately.

Notes

Serves 4 hearty appetites or 5 regular portions. Sun-dried tomatoes: use 4 oz (1 cup tightly packed) if buying loose or from a larger jar. Wine: can substitute rose, red, or flat champagne, or leave out entirely for a non-alcoholic version. Leftovers keep 3 to 4 days in the fridge; loosen with a splash of water when reheating. Pasta freezes well up to 3 months. Do not freeze the whipped ricotta; make it fresh when serving.
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