Chicken Penne Pasta: A Family-Friendly Recipe
A rich and creamy chicken penne pasta with tender chicken breast, al dente penne, and a luxurious Parmesan cream sauce infused with garlic and herbs. This restaurant-quality dish comes together in just 30 minutes for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (divided)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 cups fresh spinach (roughly chopped)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook penne according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Cook the chicken: Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil. Sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits. Stir in heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
- Combine everything: Reduce heat to medium and simmer sauce for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted. Add cooked pasta, chicken, spinach, and tomatoes. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Finish and serve: Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra flavor, use grilled chicken or add pancetta
- Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter version
- Add mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes for variation
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts better than pre-shredded
- Pasta continues to absorb sauce – serve immediately
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Find it online: https://us.recipesfood.org/chicken-penne-pasta-recipe/
