Oh, friend, let me tell you about my absolute go-to for those crazy weeknights when you need something delicious, comforting, and fast! We’re talking about my Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne. Seriously, this dish is a lifesaver. I stumbled upon a version of it years ago when I was first starting out in the kitchen, feeling totally overwhelmed by cooking. But this one? It clicked. It’s so simple, yet it tastes like you’ve been slaving away all day.

It quickly became a family favorite, and now it’s a regular in our dinner rotation. Tender chicken, perfectly al dente penne, all swimming in this rich, garlicky cream sauce that just hugs every single noodle. Trust me, it’s going to become your new secret weapon for getting a truly satisfying meal on the table without all the fuss. Let’s dive in!

Why You’ll Love This Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne

Okay, so you might be thinking, “Another pasta dish?” But trust me, this Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne isn’t just any pasta dish. It’s the one you’ll keep coming back to! It hits all the right notes: it’s incredibly flavorful, super easy to make, and honestly, it feels like a big, warm hug in a bowl. It’s perfect for those busy weeknights when you need something quick but still want to feel like you cooked a gourmet meal. Plus, who doesn’t love a dish that makes everyone at the table happy?

Quick & Easy: Seriously, you can have this on the table in about 40 minutes.
Flavor Bomb: That garlic cream sauce? Oh my goodness, it’s dreamy!
Family Friendly: Picky eaters usually gobble this one up.
Comfort Food: It’s warm, rich, and utterly satisfying.
Simple Ingredients: Nothing fancy here, just everyday stuff you probably already have.

The Irresistible Charm of Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne

What makes this dish so special? It’s that perfect harmony of tender, juicy chicken, cooked just right, paired with al dente penne pasta. But the real star, the heart and soul of this recipe, is that rich, velvety garlic cream sauce. It’s got just the right amount of garlic, balanced by the creamy goodness, and finished with a hint of Parmesan. It coats every single piece of chicken and every noodle, making each bite pure bliss. It’s comforting enough for a cozy night in, but it’s also special enough for a casual dinner party. It just works!

Gathering Your Ingredients for Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne

Alright, let’s talk ingredients! One of the things I love most about this Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne is that you don’t need a crazy long list of super exotic stuff. Most of these are probably already hanging out in your pantry or fridge. But getting them prepped and ready before you start cooking is my number one tip for smooth sailing in the kitchen. It makes everything so much easier, I promise! So, grab your shopping list or head to your pantry, and let’s get everything lined up.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne

Here’s what you’ll need to make this magic happen:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces (nice and bite-sized!)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, chopped (don’t worry about perfect uniformity here, just get it chopped!)
4 cloves garlic, minced (and yes, you can use more if you’re a garlic fiend like me!)
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 1/2 cups heavy cream (this is where the “creamy” comes from, so don’t skimp!)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated is always best, but pre-grated works too!)
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
12 ounces penne pasta (or your favorite short pasta shape)
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (a little pop of color and freshness!)

Smart Substitutions for Your Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne

I totally get it, sometimes you don’t have everything on hand, or you just want to tweak things a bit. No worries! For the chicken, boneless, skinless thighs work beautifully too – they stay super tender. If you want a slightly lighter sauce, you *could* swap out half of the heavy cream for half-and-half or even milk, but just know it won’t be quite as rich and decadent. And if you’re out of fresh garlic, about 1 teaspoon of garlic powder can pinch-hit, though fresh is always my preference for that amazing aroma. Feel free to experiment, but these are the main ones I’d consider swapping!

How to Make Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne

Okay, now for the fun part: actually making this incredible Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne! Don’t be intimidated, it’s super straightforward, and I’m going to walk you through it step-by-step. The key here is just to have everything ready and follow the flow. You’ll be amazed at how quickly this comes together. Get your biggest skillet ready, and let’s get cooking!

Preparing Your Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne Step-by-Step

First things first, get that pasta going! Grab a big pot of salted water and bring it to a rolling boil. Toss in your 12 ounces of penne pasta and cook it according to the package directions until it’s perfectly al dente. That means it should still have a little bite to it. Once it’s done, drain it well and set it aside.
While your pasta is doing its thing, let’s get that chicken cooked. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet (the bigger, the better for this dish!) over medium-high heat. Add your 1-inch chicken pieces and cook them until they’re nicely browned and cooked all the way through, usually about 5-7 minutes. Don’t crowd the pan, or they won’t brown properly! Once they’re done, take the chicken out of the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
Now, reduce the heat to medium. Add your chopped onion to the same skillet, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the chicken. Cook the onion until it’s softened and translucent, which should take about 3-5 minutes.
Next, toss in your minced garlic. Cook it for just about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until you can really smell that amazing garlicky aroma. Be careful not to burn it!
Pour in the 1/2 cup of chicken broth. Bring it to a gentle simmer, making sure to scrape up all those flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. That’s where all the good stuff is!
Stir in the 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and 1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer again and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’ll see it start to thicken up slightly.
Return your cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Season everything with salt and black pepper to taste. Give it a good stir to make sure the chicken is coated.
Finally, add your cooked and drained penne pasta to the skillet. Toss it all together gently until the pasta and chicken are beautifully coated with that creamy, garlicky sauce.
Serve it up immediately, and don’t forget that sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for a little color and brightness! Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne

To make sure your Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne turns out absolutely perfect every time, I’ve got a few little tricks for you. First, really try not to overcook your pasta! Al dente is key here, because it’s going to continue to cook a tiny bit when you add it to the hot sauce. Also, when you’re browning the chicken, don’t overcrowd the pan. If you have too much chicken, do it in two batches so it actually browns instead of just steaming. And trust your nose and your taste buds! Taste the sauce before you add the pasta and adjust the salt and pepper. If the sauce ever gets a little too thick for your liking, just add a splash of pasta water or extra chicken broth to thin it out. You got this!

Frequently Asked Questions About Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne

I get a lot of questions about this Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne recipe, which makes sense because it’s so popular! So, I thought I’d answer some of the most common ones right here for you. Hopefully, this helps you feel even more confident in the kitchen and makes this dish a regular in your rotation!

Can I make Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne ahead of time?

You know, for the absolute best results, I really recommend making this Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne fresh. The sauce is at its creamiest and the pasta is perfectly al dente right after it’s made. If you absolutely *have* to prep ahead, you can cook the chicken and make the sauce, then store them separately. Cook the pasta right before serving and combine everything. Reheating leftover pasta dishes with cream sauces can sometimes make the pasta a little softer and the sauce a bit thicker, but it’ll still be delicious!

What are some variations for Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne?

Oh, the possibilities! This Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne is super versatile. If you want to sneak in some veggies, try adding a handful of fresh spinach at the very end, or some cooked broccoli florets or mushrooms when you’re sautéing the onion. A pinch of red pepper flakes can kick up the heat, and if you’re feeling fancy, a sprinkle of fresh basil or sun-dried tomatoes would be amazing. You could even swap the chicken for shrimp for a seafood twist!

How to Store Leftover Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne?

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers (it doesn’t happen often in my house!), you’ll want to store them properly. Just pop any remaining Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne into an airtight container and get it into the refrigerator within two hours of cooking. It’ll stay good for up to 3 days. When you reheat it, you might want to add a tiny splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen up the sauce, as it tends to thicken in the fridge. Warm it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.

Estimated Nutritional Information for Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne

Okay, so you’re probably wondering about the nutrition in this Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne, right? I’ve got some estimated numbers for you, just to give you a general idea. Based on the ingredients in this recipe, each serving comes in at about 750 calories, with around 45g of fat (25g saturated), 50g of carbohydrates, and a nice 40g of protein. Just remember, these are estimates! Things like the exact brands you use or how much sauce you ladle on can totally change these numbers. It’s still a delicious, satisfying meal!

Share Your Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne Experience

So, there you have it, my absolute favorite Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne recipe! I really hope you give it a try in your kitchen. If you do, I’d absolutely love to hear about it! Did you make any fun substitutions? What was your favorite part? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out. And if you snap a picture, please share it on social media and tag me! I can’t wait to see your creations!

Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne: 40-Min Pure Bliss

Author: goforecipes.com
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: None

Print Recipe

Description

This creamy garlic chicken and penne pasta dish is a simple yet flavorful meal perfect for a weeknight dinner. It features tender chicken and al dente penne coated in a rich, garlicky cream sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
12 ounces penne pasta
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

Cook penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Reduce heat to medium. Add chopped onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
Return cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Add the cooked and drained penne pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the sauce.
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped parsley.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can marinate the chicken in a little olive oil and garlic powder before cooking.
If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of pasta water or chicken broth to reach your desired consistency.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 750
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 680mg
Fat: 45g
Saturated Fat: 25g
Unsaturated Fat: 15g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 50g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 40g
Cholesterol: 180mg

Keywords: chicken, penne, pasta, creamy, garlic, dinner, easy, weeknight