Description
This creamy garlic chicken penne is a comforting and flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken pieces cooked in a rich garlic cream sauce with Parmesan cheese, tossed with perfectly cooked penne pasta. Ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner, it combines simple ingredients into a luscious meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz penne pasta
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish (optional)
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set it aside for later use.
- Cook the Chicken: While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, season them with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook the chicken for 5 to 7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Reduce the heat to medium. In the same skillet, add butter and minced garlic. Sauté for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Create the Sauce Base: Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the skillet to incorporate the flavorful bits into the sauce. Then stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Thicken the Sauce: Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the simmering cream mixture. Stir continuously until the cheese melts completely and the sauce thickens, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the cooked chicken and the drained penne pasta back into the skillet with the creamy sauce. Toss everything together to coat evenly and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until heated through.
- Serve: Serve the creamy garlic chicken penne warm, garnished with chopped parsley if desired, for a fresh and colorful finish.
Notes
- For extra flavor and nutrition, add vegetables such as spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or mushrooms.
- Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream to create a lighter sauce option.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and smooth sauce consistency.
