Description
This Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne recipe combines tender chicken strips cooked to perfection in a rich garlic Parmesan cream sauce, tossed with al dente penne pasta. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Pasta
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
Garnish
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Additional grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken strips, season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink inside. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour in chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet to loosen any browned bits. Allow broth to simmer for 2-3 minutes, reducing slightly.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Add the heavy cream to the skillet and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese and cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
- Combine Chicken with Sauce: Return the cooked chicken strips to the skillet and stir well to coat the chicken evenly in the creamy garlic sauce.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet. Toss all ingredients together to combine and coat the pasta thoroughly. If the sauce is too thick, adjust by adding a little more chicken broth until desired consistency is reached.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese on top. Serve immediately to enjoy this creamy garlic chicken and penne at its best.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but it may be less thick.
- Red pepper flakes are optional and add a gentle heat to balance the richness of the cream sauce.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and smoothest sauce texture.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave with a splash of broth or cream to prevent drying out.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
