Herb-Crusted Chicken with Creamy Penne
Herb-Crusted Chicken with Creamy Penne
Ingredients
For the Herb-Crusted Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 6 ounces each
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Creamy Penne
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 2 cups fresh spinach, packed
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400
- 2
Prepare the chicken: Place each chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound to an even 1/2-inch thickness. This ensures even cooking.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Set up a breading station: In a shallow dish, combine Panko breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, thyme, rosemary, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well. In a second shallow dish, place the all-purpose flour. In a third shallow dish, whisk the eggs.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Dredge each chicken breast first in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip into the beaten egg, allowing excess to drip off. Finally, coat thoroughly in the herb breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully place the breaded chicken breasts in the skillet. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
⏱️ 8 min
- 6
Transfer the skillet with the seared chicken to the preheated oven (or transfer chicken to the prepared baking sheet if your skillet is not oven-safe). Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. Remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes before slicing.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 400
- 7
While the chicken bakes, cook the penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
⏱️ 10 min
- 8
In a large saucepan or the same skillet (if you removed the chicken), melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Stir in 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
⏱️ 5 min
- 10
Add the cooked and drained penne pasta to the creamy sauce. Toss to coat. Stir in the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 1-2 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
⏱️ 3 min
- 11
Slice the herb-crusted chicken breasts. Serve the creamy penne pasta immediately, topped with sliced chicken and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, if desired.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Herb-Crusted Chicken with Creamy Penne
For the Herb-Crusted Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 6 ounces each
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Creamy Penne
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 2 cups fresh spinach, packed
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400 - 2
Prepare the chicken: Place each chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound to an even 1/2-inch thickness. This ensures even cooking.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Set up a breading station: In a shallow dish, combine Panko breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, thyme, rosemary, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well. In a second shallow dish, place the all-purpose flour. In a third shallow dish, whisk the eggs.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Dredge each chicken breast first in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip into the beaten egg, allowing excess to drip off. Finally, coat thoroughly in the herb breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully place the breaded chicken breasts in the skillet. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.
⏱️ 8 min - 6
Transfer the skillet with the seared chicken to the preheated oven (or transfer chicken to the prepared baking sheet if your skillet is not oven-safe). Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. Remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes before slicing.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 400 - 7
While the chicken bakes, cook the penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
⏱️ 10 min - 8
In a large saucepan or the same skillet (if you removed the chicken), melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Stir in 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
⏱️ 5 min - 10
Add the cooked and drained penne pasta to the creamy sauce. Toss to coat. Stir in the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 1-2 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
⏱️ 3 min - 11
Slice the herb-crusted chicken breasts. Serve the creamy penne pasta immediately, topped with sliced chicken and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, if desired.
⏱️ 2 min