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Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne is comfort food at its finest: tender bites of chicken tossed in a creamy, garlicky Parmesan sauce with perfectly cooked penne pasta. It’s like a lighter Alfredo with more flavor and flexibility — a one-pan crowd-pleaser that’s simple to make and impossible to resist.
⏱️ Prep Time
| Task | Time |
|---|---|
| Prep Ingredients | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 20–25 minutes |
| Total Time | 30–35 minutes |
🔧 Equipment Needed
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Pot for boiling pasta
- Knife & cutting board
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups/spoons
🛒 Ingredients
For the Chicken & Pasta:
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
For the Creamy Garlic Sauce:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups heavy cream (or use half-and-half for a lighter version)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp salt, more to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp lemon juice (optional – adds brightness)
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
🧾 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken: Chicken thighs work too if you prefer more flavor and tenderness.
- Cream: Heavy cream gives richness, but half-and-half or whole milk can work with a thickener.
- Parmesan: Use freshly grated — it melts better than pre-shredded.
- Garlic: Don’t skimp — it’s the star of the show.
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
Boil penne in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. Cook the Chicken
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high.
- Sauté chicken until golden and cooked through (about 5–7 min). Remove and set aside.
3. Make the Garlic Cream Sauce
- In the same pan, lower heat to medium and add minced garlic. Sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant (don’t burn it).
- Stir in chicken broth and cream. Bring to a simmer.
- Add Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and optional lemon juice. Stir until smooth and slightly thickened (5–7 min).
4. Combine
- Return chicken to the skillet.
- Add cooked penne and toss to coat everything in the sauce.
- If too thick, stir in a little pasta water to loosen.
5. Serve
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan.
- Serve hot with garlic bread or a crisp green salad.
🥗 Nutrition Facts (Per serving, approx. 4 servings)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~580 kcal |
| Protein | 35g |
| Carbohydrates | 40g |
| Fat | 30g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sodium | 500mg |
💡 Tips
- Deglaze the pan with chicken broth after sautéing the chicken for more flavor.
- Don’t overcook the garlic — it should be fragrant, not brown.
- Reserve pasta water — it helps thin the sauce and makes it cling to the pasta.
- Double the sauce if you love extra creaminess.
🔄 Variations
- 🍄 Add-ins: Sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes mix in beautifully.
- 🧀 Extra cheesy: Add mozzarella or cream cheese for a thicker, richer sauce.
- 🌶️ Spicy version: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
- 🥦 Veggie boost: Add steamed broccoli or peas when mixing everything together.
