Creamy Garlic Chicken Penne: A Weeknight Favorite Recipe
Creamy Garlic Chicken Penne is a delicious weeknight pasta dish that is creamy, flavorful, and sure to please the whole family. Tender chicken, al dente penne pasta, and a rich garlic Parmesan cream sauce come together to create a comforting and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Penne Pasta:
- 12 ounces penne pasta
Chicken:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Sauce:
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the Penne: Cook penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chicken in olive oil until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic. Stir in flour to form a roux. Slowly add chicken broth and cream, then Parmesan and seasonings. Simmer until smooth.
- Combine and Serve: Add cooked chicken and pasta to the sauce. Toss to coat. Garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, consider adding red pepper flakes or baby spinach to the sauce.
- You can use half-and-half for a lighter version, or cooked rotisserie chicken for a quicker meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
