Description
This One Pot Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Penne is a rich and comforting meal combining tender chicken breasts, perfectly cooked penne pasta, and a luscious garlic Parmesan cream sauce. Ready in just 35 minutes, this dish is ideal for a cozy weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts, sliced thin
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Pasta and Sauce
- 2 cups penne pasta, uncooked
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Garnish
- Optional chopped parsley for garnish
- Additional Parmesan cheese
- Additional crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts into thin strips. Season them evenly with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning to infuse flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: In a large deep skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil and half the butter. Add the chicken strips and cook until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside, leaving the oil and butter in the pan.
- Sauté the Garlic: Add the remaining butter to the same pan. Sauté the minced garlic for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Deglaze the Pan and Add Liquids: Pour in the chicken broth, stirring well to deglaze the pan and incorporate any flavorful bits stuck to the bottom. Then add the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer to combine the flavors.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth, creamy, and well blended.
- Cook the Pasta: Add the uncooked penne pasta to the sauce, making sure it is fully submerged in the liquid. Cover the pan and cook for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce thickens.
- Return Chicken to the Pan: Once the pasta is cooked, add the seared chicken back into the pan. Simmer everything together for 2–3 minutes more so the flavors meld and the chicken reheats.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper flakes, and chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot for a delicious and creamy pasta dinner.
Notes
- Use full-fat heavy cream for the creamiest sauce; substitutes like half-and-half may thin the sauce.
- Cook the pasta uncovered for a slightly firmer texture if preferred, but sauce thickness might decrease.
- For a spicier kick, increase the crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and gives a superior flavor compared to pre-grated cheese.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated gently to avoid curdling the sauce.
