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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook penne until al dente, then drain and reserve.
- Chicken Seasoning: Generously coat chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs, ensuring even coverage.
- 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.
- Protein Processing: Slice chicken into elegant strips, tenting with foil to preserve warmth and moisture.
- Sauce Foundation: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, creating an aromatic base.
- Roux Creation: Sprinkle flour into garlic-butter mixture, whisking continuously to develop a smooth, thick consistency without browning.
- Cream Integration: Slowly pour heavy cream, stirring constantly to prevent lumps and achieve a silky, luxurious sauce.
- Cheese Infusion: Fold grated Parmesan into the cream sauce, allowing it to melt completely and enhance the overall richness.
- Final Assembly: Combine sliced chicken, cooked penne, and creamy sauce, gently tossing to ensure every ingredient is thoroughly coated.
- 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