Mushroom and Chicken Pasta Recipe in White Sauce

Simple Pasta recipes that are easy to cook are what that I like. Fast to cook and good to eat. My daughter loves pasta, in fact “love” is an understatement …my vocabulary failed to come up with a better word to describe this extreme emotion. She can eat pasta almost any time of the day and be absolutely contented and happy. Have been making it atleast once a week or sometimes twice (the mom in me does not agree with any more pasta in the diet). She however, just doesn’t seem to have enough of it. This is a dish that she loves at the local restaurant and I have been trying hard to fine tune it to get to the perfect restaurant taste. It is one of her favorite pasta recipes although she hasn’t yet certified my dish to be a replica of the one made in the restaurant (I am happy as long as it can bring a smile to her face). I have made this so many times in the past few months that can do it almost blindfolded. The entire effort is to see her happy and enjoy the meal.

Mushrooms and chicken, my favourite too and yes, this is one that I too like to indulge in. A bowl of pasta we share and catch up on the happenings in school and life. It is amazing how time flies when you just sit down to talk, really interesting conversation it can be with a teenager. Adele, Victorious and iCarly have suddenly become such a vital part of my life. Fashion, hairstyles, high heels, the latest music and yes, some studies there is so much happening here. I am in fact, reliving my teen days with my little teenager taking me along on the roller coaster ride that makes life so beautiful and interesting.

Oh, I seemed to have taken off completely on the ride called life, here is coming back to the pasta recipe which is going to be re-created again tonight being Friday night…movie and pasta, a great combo.

Ingredients for the Chicken Pasta Recipe
Pasta -200 gms (boiled and drained) (have used macaroni here, you may substitute it with penne)
All purpose flour or maida – 1 tbsp
Garlic powder – 1 tsp(you may use fresh finely chopped garlic instead)
Paprika- 1 tsp
Parsley – 1 tsp (have used dried parsley here)
Pepper powder – ½ tsp
Milk – 1 to 1.5 cups
Butter/oil – 2 tbsp
Onions – 2 to 3 tbsp ( very finely chopped)
Chicken – 200 gms boneless (cut into very small pieces)
Mushroom – 100 gms( put in a bowl of hot water, remove wash and chop finely)
Salt – to taste

Method for making Chicken Pasta Recipe:

1-Boil pasta, drain and keep aside coating it with a spoon of oil.

2-Take a heavy bottomed pan and add in the 1 tbsp of oil/butter. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté till soft and golden brown. When the onions are almost done add in the chicken, a little salt (make sure to keep the salt right as you have added salt while boiling pasta and now will add more salt while making the white sauce). Saute and let the chicken cook. You know the chicken is done when the pink colour changes to white. Cook for another 2-3 minutes. Take off the stove and keep aside.

3-In another pan, add the tbsp of all purpose flour and keep stirring till it turns golden brown and there is a nice aroma that fills the air. Add in the butter and mix. Mix in the milk little by little stirring continuously to avoid any lumps. Add the paprika, pepper powder and garlic powder and mix well. Add salt to taste. Keep stirring to ensure that you have a nice lump free mixture. Your white sauce should be thick however, flowy in consistency. The white sauce will thicken as it cools so make sure that you don’t make it too thick.

4-Add in the onion and chicken mixture. Mix well. Now add the boiled pasta and mix thoroughly. Garnish with parsley. Serve hot. You have a complete meal for 2 that will disappear in minutes.