In the realm of weeknight cooking, finding a dish that balances speed, flavor, and comfort is akin to striking gold. This Creamy Chicken Penne: Simple Pasta Recipe Ideas is that golden ticket for home cooks everywhere. It transforms humble pantry staples into a meal that tastes like it came from a high-end Italian bistro. The ridged penne pasta is the perfect vessel for holding onto the rich, garlic-infused cream sauce, ensuring that every bite is as flavorful as the last. Whether you are a novice cook looking to build your confidence or a seasoned pro needing a quick win, this recipe delivers consistent, delicious results that will have your family asking for seconds.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
A Weeknight Savior
We all face the 5:00 PM dinner dilemma: hungry family members, limited time, and zero energy for complicated prep work. This creamy chicken penne is designed specifically for those moments. The entire dish comes together in roughly 30 minutes, utilizing a single skillet for the sauce and chicken, plus a pot for the pasta. It is efficient, minimizes cleanup, and delivers a hearty meal without the stress. The straightforward nature of the recipe means you can multitask easily, searing the chicken while the pasta boils, getting dinner on the table in record time.
Infinite Versatility
While this recipe is perfection in its simplest form, it also serves as an incredible base for culinary experimentation. The neutral, creamy sauce welcomes additions with open arms. You can easily boost the nutritional value by tossing in handfuls of fresh spinach, frozen peas, or roasted red peppers. It is a fantastic way to clean out the vegetable drawer without hearing complaints from picky eaters. This adaptability makes it one of the most practical and reliable simple pasta recipe ideas you will ever keep in your arsenal.
Creamy Chicken Penne
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Large pot
- whisk
Ingredients
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain.
- Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet and melt. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
- Sprinkle flour over the garlic butter. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Whisk in heavy cream. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Stir in parmesan cheese until melted. Add the cooked chicken and pasta back to the skillet. Toss to coat.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Ingredient Highlights & Substitutions
Essential Ingredients
The success of this dish relies on a few key components working in harmony. Penne pasta is the ideal shape here; its tube structure and ridges trap the creamy sauce, ensuring maximum flavor delivery. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts provide lean protein that cooks quickly and absorbs the seasonings well. For the sauce, a combination of chicken broth and heavy cream creates a lighter yet rich consistency, while plenty of fresh garlic and parmesan cheese provide the savory backbone that makes the dish irresistible.
Smart Substitutions
If you do not have penne on hand, any short pasta shape with texture works well—try rigatoni, fusilli, or farfalle (bowtie). For the protein, rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver; simply skip the searing step and toss it in at the end. If you are looking to lighten the calorie load, you can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, though you may need to simmer it a bit longer to thicken. Gluten-free diners can simply swap in their favorite corn or rice-based pasta and use a gluten-free flour blend for the thickening roux.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Phase
Organization is the secret to a stress-free cooking experience. Begin by putting a large pot of salted water on to boil for the pasta. While the water heats, prepare your ingredients. Slice the chicken breasts into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. Mince your garlic cloves finely and grate your parmesan cheese from a block for the smoothest melt. having everything measured and ready—known as mise en place—prevents scrambling once the pan is hot.
Cooking Phase
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper, then sear it in the pan until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken and set it aside. In the same pan, melt the butter and sauté the garlic until fragrant. Sprinkle in the flour and cook for a minute to create a roux. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth followed by the heavy cream. Let this mixture simmer until it thickens into a velvety sauce. Stir in the parmesan cheese, then return the chicken and added the cooked, drained pasta to the skillet, tossing until everything is beautifully coated.
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
Technique Secrets
One of the most important secrets to a flavorful sauce is deglazing. After you cook the chicken, you will notice brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pan—this is called “fond,” and it is pure flavor. When you add the chicken broth, use a wooden spoon to scrape these bits up so they dissolve into the sauce. Additionally, cook your pasta just to al dente. It will continue to soften slightly when added to the hot sauce, so draining it a minute early ensures it retains a pleasant chew rather than turning mushy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A common pitfall is adding the parmesan cheese while the sauce is at a rolling boil. High heat can cause the cheese to separate and become oily or stringy. Always reduce the heat to low or remove the pan from the burner entirely before stirring in the cheese. Another mistake is rinsing the pasta after draining. The starch on the surface of the noodles helps the sauce adhere; rinsing washes this away and makes the sauce slide right off.
Serving Ideas & Pairings
Presentation & Plating
To elevate the visual appeal of this simple dish, serve it in wide, shallow pasta bowls. A generous garnish of fresh parsley adds a pop of green that contrasts beautifully with the creamy white sauce. Freshly cracked black pepper and a final dusting of parmesan cheese signal to your guests that this is a homemade, quality meal. If you added spinach or tomatoes, ensure some are visible on top for a colorful presentation.
Pairing Suggestions
Since this pasta is rich and creamy, it benefits from being paired with lighter sides that offer acidity or crunch. A crisp Caesar salad or a simple green salad with vinaigrette works wonders. For a wholesome and warming starter, consider serving the Vegetable Soup Recipe Seriously The Best. The broth-based vegetable soup prepares the palate without filling you up too much before the main event. Garlic bread is, of course, a classic accompaniment for mopping up any leftover sauce.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
| Calories | 620 | 31% |
| Protein | 35g | 70% |
| Carbohydrates | 45g | 15% |
| Fat | 32g | 49% |
| Saturated Fat | 18g | 90% |
| Cholesterol | 105mg | 35% |
| Sodium | 780mg | 34% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead of time?
Creamy pasta dishes are best enjoyed fresh, as the sauce can thicken significantly when cooled. However, you can prep all the ingredients—chop the chicken, mince the garlic, and measure the liquids—earlier in the day to make the cooking process even faster.
How do I reheat leftovers?
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the pasta in a saucepan over low heat with a splash of water, milk, or broth. Stir gently as it warms to bring the sauce back to a creamy consistency. Avoid high heat, which can cause the sauce to separate.
What vegetables go best with this?
This recipe is incredibly versatile. Fresh baby spinach can be stirred in at the very end until wilted. Broccoli florets can be added to the boiling pasta water for the last 3 minutes of cooking. Sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or sun-dried tomatoes also add excellent flavor and texture profiles to the dish.
Conclusion
This Creamy Chicken Penne proves that you do not need a long list of ingredients or hours in the kitchen to create a memorable meal. It is a testament to the power of simple cooking done right. With its comforting texture and savory flavor, it is bound to become a regular feature in your weekly meal rotation. Whether you stick to the basic recipe or customize it with your favorite veggies, it is a dish that satisfies the soul as much as the appetite.
