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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Lavish chicken breasts with a harmonious blend of aromatic seasonings, massaging each spice into the tender meat.
- Ignite a heavy-bottomed skillet, introducing a shimmering layer of oil that promises golden-crusted perfection.
- Sear chicken breasts with precision, creating a rich caramelized exterior while ensuring succulent interior doneness.
- Carve the chicken into delicate morsels, draping a protective cover to maintain optimal temperature and moisture.
- Cleanse the skillet, then introduce butter, allowing it to melt into a silky pool of potential.
- Tumble minced garlic into the butter, releasing its intense fragrance and creating an aromatic foundation.
- Dust flour across the garlicky landscape, whisking diligently to construct a roux that promises luxurious thickness.
- Cascade heavy cream into the mixture, transforming the base into a velvety sauce through continuous, gentle manipulation.
- Incorporate Parmesan, watching it dissolve and integrate, creating a decadent, glossy emulsion.
- Unite the awaiting pasta and chicken within the creamy embrace, ensuring each element is thoroughly enrobed.
- 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