Creamy Garlic Chicken Penne Recipe: Quick Comfort in a Bowl

Creamy garlic chicken penne enhances ordinary pasta into a culinary masterpiece that promises pure comfort and satisfaction.

Silky sauce cascades over tender pasta, creating a harmonious blend of rich flavors and textures.

Home cooks adore this dish for its simplicity and incredible depth of taste.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients dance together, producing a meal that feels simultaneously elegant and approachable.

Fragrant garlic weaves its magic through every delectable bite, elevating the entire dining experience.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike appreciate how quickly this recipe comes together with minimal effort.

Subtle herbs and robust seasonings complement the creamy sauce, making each forkful a delightful journey of flavor.

Why Creamy Garlic Chicken Penne Is Rich Without Being Heavy

• Savor Creamy Comfort: A velvety sauce hugs tender chicken and perfectly cooked penne, creating a luxurious comfort meal that feels like a warm culinary embrace.
• Master Quick Gourmet Cooking: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish in under 30 minutes, making sophisticated cooking accessible for home chefs of all skill levels.
• Customize Your Flavor Adventure: Easily adaptable with optional herbs like thyme or parsley, and adjustable seasonings, this dish lets you personalize every delicious bite to match your taste preferences.

What You’ll Need for This Comforting Chicken Pasta

Main Ingredients:

• Penne Pasta: Classic pasta shape with ridges that hold sauce perfectly, choose high-quality durum wheat pasta for best texture.
• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that creates hearty main dish, select fresh, boneless, skinless chicken for even cooking.

• Heavy Cream: Rich base that creates luxurious, smooth sauce texture, select high-fat content cream for best results.
• Butter: Adds depth and richness to sauce, use unsalted butter for better flavor control.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides sharp, salty flavor that elevates the entire dish, choose freshly grated for most intense taste.

• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning chicken and sauce, enhances overall flavor profile.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that brings intense flavor, use fresh minced garlic for most robust taste.
• Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning: Adds complex layers of flavor to chicken, select high-quality, fresh dried herbs.
• Fresh Thyme or Parsley: Bright herb garnish that adds fresh finish, choose vibrant green herbs without wilting.
• Olive Oil: Helps cook chicken and prevent sticking, select extra virgin olive oil for best flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: Thickening agent for sauce, ensures smooth, creamy consistency.

How to Cook a Creamy Penne with Garlic Kicked In

Step 1: Prepare Pasta Perfection

Grab a large pot and fill it with water. Sprinkle in some salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Toss in the penne and cook until it’s tender but still has a slight bite. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot, setting it aside for later magic.

• Penne pasta
• Salt
• Water

Step 2: Season and Sizzle Chicken

• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning

Heat a skillet with oil until it’s dancing hot. Lay the seasoned chicken down and cook until golden brown and fully done. Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and keep it warm and cozy.

Step 3: Craft Creamy Garlic Sauce

Clean out the skillet and bring it back to life. Melt butter until it’s smooth and inviting. Toss in minced garlic and let it become fragrant and irresistible. Sprinkle flour over the buttery goodness and stir until it thickens like a velvety blanket.

Slowly pour in heavy cream, whisking until the sauce becomes silky smooth. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir in Parmesan cheese until it melts completely and creates a luxurious sauce.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Combine the chopped chicken and cooked penne into the creamy sauce. Stir until every piece is gloriously coated. Finish with a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper, a handful of chopped fresh herbs like thyme or parsley, and an extra shower of Parmesan cheese.

Serving Suggestion:

Plate immediately and watch as everyone’s eyes light up with anticipation. This dish is best enjoyed hot and shared with loved ones.

Tips for Chicken That’s Juicy and Pasta That’s Perfect

• Perfectly Season Chicken: Use a blend of kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to infuse deep, layered flavors into the meat before cooking.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Whisk heavy cream slowly and gradually to prevent lumps, creating a silky smooth sauce that clings beautifully to the pasta.
• Maximize Garlic Flavor: Sauté minced garlic briefly until fragrant but not browned to release its aromatic oils without turning bitter.
• Prevent Dry Pasta: Return cooked penne to the pot after draining to keep it warm and prevent sticking, helping the sauce coat each noodle evenly.
• Elevate Final Presentation: Sprinkle fresh thyme or parsley and extra Parmesan just before serving to add brightness, texture, and a professional restaurant-style finish.

Storage and Reheat Tricks for Creamy Chicken Pasta

• Refrigerate: Transfer chicken penne to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
• Reheat Stovetop: Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent drying. Stir gently until heated through, about 4-5 minutes.
• Microwave: Place portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Stop when the pasta reaches your desired temperature.

What Goes Well With Garlic Chicken Penne

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc cuts through the creamy sauce, balancing the rich garlic chicken flavors with bright, refreshing notes.
• Complement with Fresh Green Salad: A light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette provides a zesty contrast to the creamy pasta, adding freshness and acidity to the meal.
• Match with Roasted Vegetable Side: Garlic-roasted asparagus or Brussels sprouts enhance the dish's garlicky profile while adding nutritious green vegetables to round out the plate.
• Finish with Citrus Sorbet: A tangy lemon or orange sorbet cleanses the palate after the rich, creamy pasta, offering a light and refreshing dessert that doesn't feel heavy.

Fresh Herbs and Add-In Ideas to Keep It Exciting

• Spicy Southwest Chicken Penne: Add diced jalapeños, chili powder, and cumin to the chicken seasoning. Mix in roasted red peppers and top with cilantro for a zesty southwestern flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken Penne: Replace Italian seasoning with dried oregano, basil, and mint. Incorporate crumbled feta cheese and sun-dried tomatoes into the sauce for a Mediterranean-inspired dish.
• Creamy Mushroom Chicken Penne: Sauté sliced cremini or shiitake mushrooms with the garlic before adding cream. Enhance the sauce with a splash of white wine and fresh thyme leaves for an earthy, rich version of the original recipe.
• Lighter Pesto Chicken Penne: Swap the heavy cream sauce with homemade basil pesto. Use Greek yogurt to maintain creaminess and add grilled zucchini for extra vegetables and nutrition.

Creamy Garlic Chicken Penne Recipe

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4.5 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy garlic chicken penne brings Italian comfort to your dinner table with silky pasta and tender chicken bathed in a rich, garlicky sauce. Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs elevate this classic dish so you can savor each delicious forkful of pure culinary pleasure.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Pasta and Seasoning:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) penne
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Sauce and Garnish:

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
• Fresh thyme or parsley, for serving

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Instructions

1. Submerge penne in generously salted, bubbling water, allowing it to transform into perfectly tender pasta. Carefully extract and return to its original vessel, setting aside.
2. Lavish chicken breasts with a harmonious blend of aromatic seasonings, massaging each spice into the tender meat.
3. Ignite a heavy-bottomed skillet, introducing a shimmering layer of oil that promises golden-crusted perfection.
4. Sear chicken breasts with precision, creating a rich caramelized exterior while ensuring succulent interior doneness.
5. Carve the chicken into delicate morsels, draping a protective cover to maintain optimal temperature and moisture.
6. Cleanse the skillet, then introduce butter, allowing it to melt into a silky pool of potential.
7. Tumble minced garlic into the butter, releasing its intense fragrance and creating an aromatic foundation.
8. Dust flour across the garlicky landscape, whisking diligently to construct a roux that promises luxurious thickness.
9. Cascade heavy cream into the mixture, transforming the base into a velvety sauce through continuous, gentle manipulation.
10. Incorporate Parmesan, watching it dissolve and integrate, creating a decadent, glossy emulsion.
11. Unite the awaiting pasta and chicken within the creamy embrace, ensuring each element is thoroughly enrobed.
12. Garnish with a generous sprinkle of fresh herbs and additional Parmesan, presenting a dish that promises indulgence.

Notes

• Perfectly time your pasta cooking to ensure al dente texture, which prevents mushy noodles and maintains ideal pasta consistency.
• Season chicken generously with spices before searing to develop deep, layered flavor profiles that enhance the overall dish.
• Create a silky sauce by whisking cream gradually and stirring constantly to prevent lumps and achieve smooth, creamy texture.
• Grate fresh Parmesan directly into the sauce for maximum melting and richer cheese flavor compared to pre-packaged cheese.
• Let chicken rest briefly after cooking to retain moisture and prevent dryness, ensuring tender and juicy meat in every bite.
• Garnish with fresh herbs right before serving to add brightness and elevate the dish’s visual appeal and aromatic complexity.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 657
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 24 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 37 g
• Cholesterol: 170 mg