Creamy Chicken Penne: My Weeknight Comfort Dish (Print Version)

Hearty Creamy Chicken Penne for dinner! This easy recipe brings together tender chicken, al dente penne, and a rich, creamy sauce. Pure comfort in a bowl.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Italian-American
Dietary: Contains Dairy, Contains Gluten

# Ingredients:

→ Pantry Staples

01 - 12 oz penne pasta
02 - 2 cups chicken broth
03 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tbsp olive oil

→ Protein & Produce

05 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
06 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced

→ Flavor Builders

07 - 1.5 cups heavy cream
08 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
09 - 1 tsp Italian seasoning
10 - 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
11 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Finishing Touches

12 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get that penne cooking! Grab a big pot, fill it with water, and don't forget to salt it generously – this is where I always forget, honestly. While the pasta is doing its thing, dice your chicken into neat, bite-sized pieces. Chop that onion super fine and mince your garlic. Having everything ready before you start cooking the sauce makes a huge difference, trust me. You want that pasta al dente; it'll finish cooking in the sauce later, so don't overdo it now.
02 - Heat a glug of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, toss in your diced chicken. Season it with a pinch of salt and pepper. You’re looking for a nice golden-brown sear on all sides, not necessarily cooked through. This step builds flavor, a crucial part of our Creamy Chicken Penne. Don't crowd the pan, or the chicken will steam instead of sear; you might need to do this in batches, and that's totally fine. I've definitely tried to cram it all in before, and it was a soggy mess, so learn from my mistake!
03 - Once the chicken is seared, remove it from the pan and set it aside. Reduce the heat to medium, then add the diced onion to the same pan. Let it soften for about 3-5 minutes, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the chicken – that's flavor gold right there! Then, add your minced garlic and red pepper flakes, if you're using them. Sauté for just another minute until fragrant. Oh, the smell at this stage is just incredible; it means our Creamy Chicken Penne is on its way!
04 - Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a gentle simmer, letting it reduce slightly for a few minutes. This concentrates the flavor. Now, the star of the show: stir in the heavy cream and Italian seasoning. Let it come to a very gentle simmer again, just enough to thicken slightly. You don’t want a rolling boil with cream, it can split, and that's a kitchen disaster I've definitely experienced. Keep the heat low and slow for a truly luscious sauce.
05 - Return the seared chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Drain your al dente penne and add it directly to the pan. Give everything a good stir, making sure every piece of pasta and chicken is coated in that glorious, creamy sauce. Let it simmer together for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the pasta to absorb some of the sauce and the chicken to finish cooking through. The sauce will thicken beautifully during this time, creating that rich texture we want for our Creamy Chicken Penne.
06 - Finally, remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into the sauce, making it even more decadent. Taste and adjust seasonings – maybe a little more salt, a crack of black pepper? Garnish generously with fresh parsley. The final result should be a rich, glossy sauce clinging perfectly to the penne and chicken. Serve immediately and watch it disappear. Honestly, it's one of those meals that just makes everyone happy.

# Notes:

01 - Always salt your pasta water like the sea; it's the only chance to season the pasta itself!
02 - Storage advice that actually works from my kitchen trials: Gently reheat on the stovetop with a splash of broth.
03 - Substitution I've tried that worked surprisingly well: Sautéed mushrooms for chicken if you're vegetarian.
04 - Serving suggestion that makes this dish extra special: Garlic bread for dipping in that luscious sauce.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Large pot
02 - Large skillet or Dutch oven
03 - Cutting board
04 - Knife
05 - Whisk

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 650
Total Fat: 35g
Total Carbohydrate: 50g
Protein: 40g

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