Creamy Chicken Penne: The Ultimate Weeknight Dinner

Welcome to your new favorite weeknight meal! This Creamy Chicken Penne is the epitome of comfort food—rich, flavorful, and surprisingly simple to make. If you’ve been searching for that perfect pasta dish that comes together in under 30 minutes, look no further. We’ve crafted a recipe that guarantees a silky, restaurant-quality sauce every single time, without any complicated steps. It’s a family-friendly dinner that feels indulgent yet is completely achievable on a busy Tuesday.

This dish features tender, pan-seared chicken breast and perfectly cooked penne pasta, all enveloped in a luscious garlic parmesan cream sauce. It’s the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table, and the best part is, you likely have most of the ingredients already in your kitchen. Ready to transform your dinner routine? Let’s get cooking!

Why This Creamy Chicken Penne Recipe is a Winner

There are countless chicken pasta recipes out there, but this one truly stands out. Here’s why you’ll find yourself making it again and again:

• Quick & Easy: From start to finish, this entire meal is ready in just 30 minutes, making it the perfect solution for busy weeknights.
• Simple Ingredients: We use pantry staples to create a sauce that tastes like it came from a high-end Italian restaurant. No hunting for obscure ingredients required!
• Unbelievably Flavorful: A savory blend of garlic, Italian seasoning, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese creates a depth of flavor that is simply irresistible.
• Perfectly Creamy Sauce: We’ll share our secret to a smooth, velvety sauce that never breaks or becomes oily. It clings to every piece of penne and chicken beautifully. For another cheesy and satisfying dish, you might also love this easy tater tot casserole.

Key Ingredients for the Perfect Sauce

The magic of this Creamy Chicken Penne lies in its simple yet powerful ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need and why it works:

• Chicken Breast: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces for quick and even cooking.
• Penne Pasta: The ridges on penne are perfect for catching all of that delicious cream sauce.
• Heavy Cream: This is the foundation of our sauce. For the richest flavor and texture, avoid substituting with milk or half-and-half.
• Parmesan Cheese: Always use freshly grated Parmesan. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce gritty.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides the best flavor. Don’t be shy with it!
• Chicken Broth: This adds a layer of savory depth to the sauce and helps to thin it to the perfect consistency.
• Italian Seasoning: A simple blend of dried herbs that brings classic, aromatic flavor to the dish.

How to Make Creamy Chicken Penne (Step-by-Step)

Achieving a perfect pasta dish is all about timing and technique. Follow these simple steps for a flawless result.

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, reserve about one cup of the starchy pasta water. This is a key ingredient for adjusting your sauce later!

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

While the pasta is cooking, pat the chicken pieces dry with a paper towel and season them generously with salt, pepper, and half of the Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.

Step 3: Build the Creamy Sauce

Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to let it burn. Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom—this is where the flavor is! Let the broth simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.

Step 4: Combine and Finish

Stir in the heavy cream and the remaining Italian seasoning. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 3-4 minutes, until it starts to thicken. Reduce the heat to low and gradually stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. Return the cooked chicken and the drained penne to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are fully coated in the luscious sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.

Expert Tips for Success

Want to take your Creamy Chicken Penne from great to absolutely spectacular? Keep these tips in mind.

• Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook it just until al dente. It will continue to cook slightly when you add it to the hot sauce.
• Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: This is non-negotiable for a smooth sauce. The pre-shredded kind will not melt properly.
• Reserve Pasta Water: That starchy water is liquid gold! It helps emulsify the sauce and thin it out without making it watery.
• Control the Heat: When adding the cheese, make sure the heat is on low. If the sauce is too hot, the cheese can separate and become greasy. If you enjoy rich, savory chicken recipes, give our Chicken Francese recipe a try next!

Delicious Variations to Try

This recipe is a fantastic base for customization. Here are a few ideas to make it your own:

• Add Veggies: Stir in some fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or sautéed mushrooms when you add the chicken back to the pan. For another vegetable-packed option, our creamy broccoli and potato soup is always a hit.
• Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the garlic for a little kick of heat.
• Bacon Makes Everything Better: Add some crispy, crumbled bacon at the end for a salty, savory crunch.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

This Creamy Chicken Penne makes for fantastic leftovers. Store any extra in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm it in a saucepan over low heat. You may need to add a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce and bring back its creamy consistency.

What to Serve with Your Pasta

This dish is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette, some steamed broccoli, or a side of crusty garlic bread are all excellent choices to round out your dinner.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Perfect Creamy Chicken Penne Awaits

And there you have it—a simple, elegant, and incredibly delicious Creamy Chicken Penne that’s destined to become a staple in your recipe collection. It’s the perfect dish to celebrate a special occasion or to simply make a weeknight dinner feel a little more special. We hope you love it as much as we do! If you make this recipe, don’t forget to leave a comment below and share your creation on Pinterest!

Creamy Chicken Penne

FL Recipes

Creamy Chicken Penne: The Ultimate Weeknight Dinner

This Creamy Chicken Penne is a 30-minute masterpiece! Tender chicken and penne pasta tossed in a luscious, silky garlic parmesan sauce. The perfect easy and comforting weeknight dinner recipe that your whole family will love.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe WhatsApp

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 people

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian-American

Calories: 850

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 1 lb penne pasta
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning divided
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese freshly grated
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

• 1 Large Pot For cooking the pasta.
• 1 Large Skillet or Dutch Oven

Method

 

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
2. While pasta cooks, season cubed chicken with salt, pepper, and 1 tsp of Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
3. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
4. Stir in the heavy cream and the remaining 1 tsp of Italian seasoning. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes to thicken. Reduce heat to low.
5. Gradually stir in the grated Parmesan until the sauce is smooth. Return the chicken and drained penne to the skillet. Toss to coat everything in the sauce. If needed, thin the sauce with a splash of reserved pasta water. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 850kcalProtein: 45gFat: 50gFiber: 3g

Notes

Use fresh Parmesan: For the smoothest sauce, grate your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheese contains additives that prevent it from melting well.
Save your pasta water: The starchy water is perfect for thinning the sauce without making it watery.

Keyword chicken penne,creamy chicken pasta,penne pasta recipe

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

Pin Recipe