Creamy Chicken Penne Pasta
Creamy Chicken Penne Pasta
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Cream Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Cook the penne pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining. Drain the pasta and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
Cook the chicken: While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
Prepare the cream sauce: In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle in the all-purpose flour and whisk constantly for 1 minute to create a roux.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Finish the sauce: Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, then stir in the heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, until it begins to thicken slightly. Stir in the 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, dried Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Combine and serve: Add the cooked chicken and drained penne pasta to the skillet with the cream sauce. Toss gently to coat all the pasta and chicken. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese, as needed.
⏱️ 3 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Chicken Penne Pasta
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Cream Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Cook the penne pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining. Drain the pasta and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
Cook the chicken: While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
Prepare the cream sauce: In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle in the all-purpose flour and whisk constantly for 1 minute to create a roux.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Finish the sauce: Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, then stir in the heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, until it begins to thicken slightly. Stir in the 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, dried Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Combine and serve: Add the cooked chicken and drained penne pasta to the skillet with the cream sauce. Toss gently to coat all the pasta and chicken. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese, as needed.
⏱️ 3 min