Chicken penne pasta is a quick and easy dinner that is delicious, creamy, and flavorful. Perfectly seared chicken is sliced and tossed into a creamy white sauce that with penne pasta in under 30 minutes. This creamy chicken pasta is a simple and classic Italian dinner idea and family favorite, and leftovers are great for lunch the next day.
To make this delicious Chicken Penne Pasta, you will need the following ingredients (full quantities in recipe card below):
You can also add your favorite vegetables to this chicken penne pasta for added nutrition. After everything is cooked, you can toss in:
You will also need measuring cups and spoons, cooking pot, and a skillet (I used a cast-iron skillet).
Serve chicken penne pasta with some bread for soaking up any extra sauce and some light side dishes to balance it out.
Chicken Penne Pasta
Chicken penne pasta is a quick and easy dinner that is delicious, rich, creamy, and flavorful. It’s a family favorite that’s ready in under 30 minutes.
Prep: 5min
Total: 25min
Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1 serving
Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 serving, calories 567 calories, Sugar 2.6 g, Sodium 700.6 mg, Fat 25.4 g, Saturated Fat 12.6 g, Trans Fat 0.4 g, Carbohydrate 46.6 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 36.4 g, Cholesterol 136.1 mg
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless and skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 pound penne pasta (2 cups)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (or reserved hot pasta water)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instruction:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add penne pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of the hot pasta water in a bowl (if using instead of chicken stock). Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Use a paper towel to pat the chicken breasts completely dry. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until the hot oil sizzles, about 1-2 minutes. Add chicken and sear until golden brown, 6-8 minutes per side. Slice the chicken into 1/2-inch strips, transfer onto a plate, and cover with aluminium foil to stay moist.
- In the same skillet, add butter and garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add flour and cook until thickened into a paste, about 1 minute.
- Add heavy cream, chicken broth (or reserved hot pasta water), and Parmesan cheese. Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened to a desired consistency, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the chicken and pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta
This is a delicious, super quick side or main dish. I got it from the back of a pasta box and it is yummy!
Prep: 10min
Total: 15min
Yield: 6-8 serving(s)
Nutrition Facts: calories 363.8, Fat 8.3, Saturated Fat 4.4, Cholesterol 19.3, Sodium 230.2, Carbohydrate 64.1, Fiber 8.5, Sugar 0.2, Protein 9.8
Ingredients:
- 1 (1 lb) box penne or 1 (1 lb) box penne rigate, cooked as directed, drained and kept hot
- 2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 3/4 cup chicken broth or 3/4 cup beef broth
- 3/4 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons parsley flakes
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instruction:
- Melt butter and add garlic in a medium sauce pan.
- Cook over medium for 1 minute.
- Add flour and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Stir in broth and milk and cook, stirring frequently, until sauce boils and thickens.
- Add parsley, salt, pepper and cheese.
- Stir until cheese is melted.
- Toss hot pasta with sauce and serve immediately.
Easy Chicken Penne Pasta
Easy Chicken Penne Pasta is a one pot meal that’s done in under 30 minutes! This easy skillet recipe is picky eater approved!
Prep: 5min
Total: 30min
Yield: 6
Serving Size: 1 serving
Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 serving, calories 457 kcal, Carbohydrate 52 g, Protein 32 g, Fat 12 g, Saturated Fat 6 g, Cholesterol 67 mg, Sodium 991 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 7 g
Ingredients:
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 24 ounce jar pasta sauce (use your favorite)
- 4 cloves garlic (pressed)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup small curd cottage cheese
- 2 cups cooked chicken (diced or shredded)
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
Instruction:
- Boil water in pot or large skillet and cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Add pasta sauce, pressed garlic, pepper flakes and cottage cheese to skillet and heat until bubbly and hot. Add the chicken and cook until the chicken is heated through. Stir in the pasta and mozzarella cheese. Taste for seasoning, add salt and/or pepper as needed.
- Serve hot with parmesan cheese.
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FAQ
Which sauce is best for penne?
What is penne traditionally served with?
How do you spice up plain penne pasta?
“I use a lot of parsley, either fresh or even dried,” Montillo said. “Oregano, garlic powder, onion flakes, black pepper all work well in a variety of sauces.”
How do you make penne taste better?
- Make sure your cooking water is salty like the sea, and almost as plentiful. …
- Check the package’s cooking time, but don’t put too much faith in it. …
- Reserve a little pasta water. …
- Never, ever rinse. …
- Finish your pasta in its sauce.