Luscious Creamy Garlic Chicken Penne Recipe – In A Flash

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this mouthwatering creamy garlic chicken penne recipe delivers pure comfort on a plate.

Tender chicken pieces nestle into perfectly cooked pasta, creating a luxurious meal that feels like a restaurant indulgence.

Rich, velvety sauce coats every strand with deep garlic notes and subtle herb undertones.

Each forkful promises a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate with remarkable harmony.

The combination of juicy chicken and silky sauce makes this dish an instant crowd-pleaser.

Simple ingredients come together quickly, turning an ordinary evening into a delectable dining experience.

Dive into this irresistible recipe and let your taste buds celebrate.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 640 kcal

Servings: 5

Creamy Garlic Chicken Penne: Ingredient List

• Penne Pasta: Hearty pasta that perfectly catches the creamy sauce and provides a satisfying base for the dish.
• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that adds substance and flavor, best when fresh and trimmed of excess fat.

• Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers that bring out the natural taste of chicken and create depth.
• Garlic Powder: Adds intense garlic flavor without raw garlic sharpness, perfect for even seasoning.
• Italian Seasoning: Aromatic herb blend that introduces Mediterranean warmth and complexity to the chicken.

• Butter: Provides rich, velvety foundation for the sauce with a luxurious mouthfeel.
• Minced Garlic: Delivers intense, authentic garlic punch that forms the sauce's flavor backbone.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates smooth thickening agent for achieving perfect sauce consistency.
• Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious, silky texture and adds indulgent richness to the sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Introduces sharp, nutty flavor and helps create a creamy, clingy sauce.

• Fresh Thyme or Parsley: Bright, fresh herbs that add color and light, aromatic finish to the dish.

Tools You’ll Need for Garlic Chicken Pasta

• Large Pot: Perfect for boiling pasta with plenty of space and salt.
• Large Skillet: Essential for cooking chicken and creating the creamy sauce.
• Cutting Board: Needed for dicing cooked chicken and chopping herbs.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise cutting of chicken and garnishing herbs.
• Wooden Spoon or Whisk: Great for stirring sauce and ensuring smooth consistency.
• Measuring Spoons: Help accurately season chicken and measure seasonings.
• Colander: Useful for draining pasta after cooking.
• Tongs: Helpful for handling and turning chicken while cooking.

Cooking Creamy Garlic Chicken Penne the Way

• Pasta Foundation

Create a pool of boiling water in a large pot, seasoned with salt. Submerge penne and let it dance until perfectly tender. Drain and return to the pot, ready for transformation.

• Chicken Preparation

Transform chicken breasts with a magical blend of seasonings. Sizzle them in a hot skillet until golden and cooked through. Chop into delectable morsels and keep warm.

• Creamy Sauce Magic

Cleanse the skillet and invite butter to melt. Introduce minced garlic, letting it release its aromatic charm. Dust with flour, creating a silky base. Slowly pour in cream, whisking until smooth. Welcome Parmesan, letting it melt into luxurious harmony.

• Delicious Assembly

Reunite chicken and pasta in the velvety sauce. Ensure every morsel is lovingly coated. Sprinkle with a final flourish of pepper and fresh herbs. Serve immediately, inviting everyone to savor this comforting masterpiece.

Add Some Flavor to Garlic Chicken Penne

• Replace chicken with shrimp, turkey, or tofu for a different protein twist that keeps the dish exciting and versatile.
• Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half to reduce calories while maintaining a creamy texture and rich flavor profile.
• Toss in roasted bell peppers, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes to boost nutrition and create more complex flavor layers in the dish.
• Sprinkle red pepper flakes, add a dash of smoked paprika, or include a pinch of cayenne for an extra kick that transforms the classic recipe into a zesty meal.
• Use cornstarch instead of flour for thickening the sauce and choose gluten-free penne pasta to make this delicious meal accessible to everyone with dietary restrictions.

Serving Creamy Chicken Penne the Tasty Way

• Cozy Family Dinner Night: Transform this creamy garlic chicken penne into a heartwarming family meal with soft dinner rolls and a crisp green salad on the side.
• Elegant Date Night Presentation: Plate the pasta in shallow white bowls, garnish with fresh herbs, and pair with a chilled glass of white wine for a romantic dining experience.
• Weekend Meal Prep Champion: Store leftovers in airtight containers for quick lunches, adding a sprinkle of fresh herbs before reheating to revive the flavors and maintain the dish's delicious appeal.
• Gourmet Salad Companion: Serve a small portion alongside a mixed green salad with a light lemon vinaigrette to balance the creamy richness of the chicken pasta.

Storage Solutions for Chicken Penne

• Weekly Prep Strategy: Chop chicken and mince garlic ahead of time to reduce dinner preparation time by 15-20 minutes on busy weeknights.
• Refrigerator Storage Secrets: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days, ensuring optimal taste and texture when reheating gently in a skillet with a splash of cream.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Pack meal in freezer-safe containers, separating sauce from pasta to maintain maximum quality. Freeze up to 2 months for quick future meals.
• Lunch Transformation Tip: Transform leftover dish into a cold pasta salad by adding fresh cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, and a light drizzle of olive oil for a refreshing midday meal.

Velvety Garlic Chicken Penne

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4.7 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Savory creamy garlic chicken penne delivers Italian comfort with rich, layered flavors. Home cooks can quickly prepare this satisfying pasta dish that promises delightful textures and hearty ingredients.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• 8 oz (226 g) penne
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsps butter
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated, plus more for serving)
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tbsp flour
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• Kosher salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (freshly ground, to taste)
• Thyme or parsley (fresh, for serving)

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook penne until al dente, then drain and reserve.
2. Chicken Seasoning: Generously coat chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs, ensuring even coverage.
3. Searing Stage: Heat skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat, then expertly brown chicken breasts until golden and cooked through, approximately 6-7 minutes per side.
4. Protein Processing: Slice chicken into elegant strips, tenting with foil to preserve warmth and moisture.
5. Sauce Foundation: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, creating an aromatic base.
6. Roux Creation: Sprinkle flour into garlic-butter mixture, whisking continuously to develop a smooth, thick consistency without browning.
7. Cream Integration: Slowly pour heavy cream, stirring constantly to prevent lumps and achieve a silky, luxurious sauce.
8. Cheese Infusion: Fold grated Parmesan into the cream sauce, allowing it to melt completely and enhance the overall richness.
9. Final Assembly: Combine sliced chicken, cooked penne, and creamy sauce, gently tossing to ensure every ingredient is thoroughly coated.
10. Finishing Touch: Garnish with chopped parsley, additional Parmesan, and cracked black pepper before serving immediately.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection: Salt water generously and cook penne until al dente to ensure optimal texture and flavor absorption.
• Chicken Seasoning Technique: Thoroughly massage spices into meat for deeper flavor penetration and more even cooking.
• Roux Mastery: Whisk flour carefully into melted butter to prevent lumps and create a smooth, silky sauce base.
• Finishing Touches: Let dish rest briefly after combining ingredients to allow flavors to meld and sauce to slightly thicken.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 640
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 42g
• Saturated Fat: 22g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 29g
• Cholesterol: 150mg