Craving a rich, comforting pasta dish that feels like a restaurant treat but comes together in under 30 minutes? This Creamy Chicken Penne recipe is your answer. It’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights when you want a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen. We combine tender chicken and perfectly cooked penne, all tossed in a luxuriously smooth garlic cream sauce. This is a dish your whole family will ask for again and again.
The magic of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the depth of flavor you can achieve with just a handful of staple ingredients. It’s a versatile base that you can easily customize, making it a true kitchen hero. Get ready to master this simple yet elegant Creamy Chicken Penne.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chicken Penne Recipe
This isn’t just another pasta dish; it’s destined to become a staple in your meal rotation. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with it:
- Incredibly Fast: From pantry to plate in under 30 minutes, it’s the ultimate solution for hectic evenings.
- Packed with Flavor: A savory combination of garlic, parmesan, and rich cream creates a sauce that tastes like it simmered for hours.
- Simple, Accessible Ingredients: You likely have most, if not all, of the ingredients in your kitchen right now.
- Family-Friendly Favorite: It’s a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults, making dinnertime a breeze. For another guaranteed family-pleaser, try our Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken recipe.
The Secret to the Perfect Creamy Sauce
The heart of this Creamy Chicken Penne is, of course, the sauce. Achieving that perfect, velvety texture without it being heavy or greasy is simple. The key is a trio of ingredients working in harmony: heavy cream, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and a splash of the starchy water the pasta was cooked in. The cream provides the rich base, the Parmesan melts smoothly to thicken and add savory depth, and the pasta water’s starches help bind it all together, ensuring the sauce clings beautifully to every piece of penne.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on simple, high-quality ingredients to deliver its fantastic flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Penne Pasta: The ridges are perfect for catching all the creamy sauce.
- Chicken Breast: Boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Olive Oil & Butter: For sautéing the chicken and building the sauce’s flavor base.
- Garlic & Onion: The aromatic foundation of the dish. Finely minced is best.
- Chicken Broth: Adds a savory depth to the sauce.
- Heavy Cream: This is essential for the ultra-creamy texture.
- Parmesan Cheese: Use freshly grated for the best melting and flavor. Avoid pre-shredded cheese, which can contain anti-caking agents.
- Italian Seasoning: A quick way to add classic Italian herbs.
- Salt & Black Pepper: To taste.
- Fresh Parsley: For a fresh, vibrant finish.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your delicious pasta masterpiece:
- Cook the Pasta: Bring 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 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
- Cook the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Build the Sauce Base: In the same skillet, add the minced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Create the Cream Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a simmer and let it reduce slightly. Stir in the heavy cream and Italian seasoning, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Combine and Finish: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained penne pasta and toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are well-coated in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve: Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Tips for Success
To make this Creamy Chicken Penne absolutely perfect, keep these simple tips in mind:
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook it just until al dente. It will cook a little more when you toss it in the hot sauce.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: It melts smoother and has a much better flavor than the pre-shredded kind.
- Reserve Pasta Water: This starchy liquid is gold! It helps emulsify the sauce and gives it a silky, clinging texture.
- Don’t Boil the Cream Sauce: After adding the cream and cheese, keep the heat low to prevent the sauce from separating or curdling.
Delicious Recipe Variations
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also a wonderful canvas for creativity. Try one of these delicious variations:
- Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Penne: Add steamed broccoli florets during the last few minutes of cooking for a boost of green. This is so popular we have a whole post dedicated to our creamy chicken and broccoli penne recipe.
- Add Bacon: For a smokier, even more decadent flavor, try our chicken bacon ranch pasta. The combination is truly irresistible.
- Make it Spicy: Add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes along with the garlic to give your sauce a gentle kick of heat.
- Mushroom Delight: Sauté sliced mushrooms after the chicken and add them to the sauce for an earthy, savory flavor.
What to Serve with Creamy Chicken Penne
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 cuts through the richness of the sauce perfectly. For a heartier meal, serve it alongside some crusty garlic bread for dipping into that incredible cream sauce.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftover Creamy Chicken Penne in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm it in a saucepan over low heat. Add a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce and restore its creamy consistency, stirring frequently until heated through. Microwaving can sometimes cause cream sauces to separate, so the stovetop method is recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can, but the sauce will be thinner and less rich. To thicken a milk-based sauce, you may need to create a roux with flour and butter first or use a cornstarch slurry. For the creamiest results, heavy cream is recommended.
The key to a creamy sauce is using heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Simmer the sauce gently to thicken it, and use a splash of the starchy pasta water to help it bind to the penne.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce and restore its creamy texture.
This dish is very versatile! You can add steamed broccoli, sautéed mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or spinach. For a bit of spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
Boneless, skinless chicken breast is the most common choice as it’s lean and cooks quickly. However, boneless, skinless chicken thighs would also work well and add extra flavor and moisture.
The Best Creamy Chicken Penne Recipe
Creamy Chicken Penne (The Easiest & Most Delicious Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Cook the Chicken: While pasta cooks, season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden and cooked through (5-7 minutes). Remove chicken and set aside.
- Build the Sauce Base: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook until softened (about 3 minutes). Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Create the Cream Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan. Bring to a simmer, then stir in the heavy cream and Italian seasoning.
- Combine and Finish: Reduce heat to low and stir in the Parmesan cheese until smooth. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained penne and toss to coat. Use reserved pasta water to thin the sauce if needed.
- Serve: Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Tip 2: Don't forget to reserve some pasta water! It's the secret to a perfectly emulsified sauce.
Tip 3: Keep the heat on low when adding the cream and cheese to prevent the sauce from separating.
Share Your Creation!
We are so excited for you to try this Creamy Chicken Penne recipe! It’s a dish that brings comfort and flavor to any dinner table. If you make it, please leave a comment below to let us know how it turned out. Don’t forget to share your beautiful creations on Pinterest!
