Description
Creamy Parmesan Chicken with Penne is a delicious and comforting pasta dish featuring tender cubed chicken breasts cooked in a rich and creamy Parmesan sauce, perfectly combined with al dente penne pasta. This easy-to-make recipe is ready in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for a flavorful weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta
- 1 lb penne pasta
For the Chicken and Sauce
- 2 large chicken breasts, cubed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken breasts and season with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook the chicken for 5 to 7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Add Aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste, cooking for 1 to 2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and the tomato paste has darkened slightly, which enhances the flavor.
- Create the Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Allow it to cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Incorporate Cheese: Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet and stir continuously until the cheese has melted completely, creating a smooth, rich sauce.
- Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked penne pasta into the skillet and toss well to ensure each piece of pasta is coated evenly with the creamy Parmesan sauce and chicken.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish for a pop of color and fresh flavor. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy your creamy Parmesan chicken penne.
Notes
- You can substitute penne with other pasta shapes like rigatoni or fusilli if preferred.
- For a lighter option, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
- To add vegetables, toss in spinach or mushrooms in step 4 before adding the cream.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently with a splash of chicken broth to loosen the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
