Description
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.
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)
Instructions
- 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.
Notes
How to use shredded chicken: Skip the first few steps with the chicken and toss in 3 cups of shredded chicken to the sauce at the end. Heat it until warmed and then toss in the pasta.
How to store: Allow leftover chicken penne pasta to cool in the pan or in a container with the lid off. Once the pasta reaches room temperature, place it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. If you don’t allow it to cool before covering, the pasta can become mushy.
How to reheat: Reheat in a pan on the stove over medium-low heat until warmed through. If the sauce has thickened too much in the fridge, add a splash of water. You can also reheat in the microwave in 30 second increments until warmed through.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian