Last update images today Creamy Dreamy Penne Chicken Pasta: Your New Weeknight Hero
Creamy Dreamy Penne Chicken Pasta: Your New Weeknight Hero
Introduction: Penne Chicken Pasta Recipe - A Weeknight Winner
Are you looking for a comforting, delicious, and relatively quick meal to whip up on a busy weeknight? Look no further than penne chicken pasta! This versatile dish is a crowd-pleaser that can be adapted to suit your tastes and pantry staples. We'll explore a classic penne chicken pasta recipe, offer tips for customization, and answer your burning questions, making this your go-to guide for creating a perfect pasta dinner. Our target audience here is busy individuals and families looking for easy, flavorful meal solutions. This penne chicken pasta recipe will become your new favorite.
The Allure of Penne Chicken Pasta Recipe
Penne chicken pasta is popular for several reasons: it's relatively quick to prepare, uses readily available ingredients, and offers a satisfying combination of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables. It's also incredibly customizable! Whether you prefer a creamy sauce, a tomato-based sauce, or something in between, this dish can be tailored to your liking. It is a penne chicken pasta recipe that can be modified for everyone.
The Classic Penne Chicken Pasta Recipe: Step-by-Step
This recipe focuses on a creamy, parmesan-based sauce, a true classic.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped; 1 cup chopped spinach; 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
Instructions:
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned and cooked through. Season with salt and pepper. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Saute the Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese. Simmer for a few minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Combine and Serve: Add the cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to combine. Stir in the parsley and any optional ingredients, such as sun-dried tomatoes or spinach. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately. Enjoy this easy penne chicken pasta recipe.
Variations on the Penne Chicken Pasta Recipe Theme
The beauty of penne chicken pasta recipe lies in its adaptability. Here are some variations to try:
- Tomato-Based Sauce: Replace the heavy cream and parmesan cheese with a jar of your favorite marinara sauce. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Pesto Penne Chicken Pasta: Use pesto instead of a cream-based sauce for a vibrant and flavorful dish. Toss the cooked pasta and chicken with pesto and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
- Lemon Herb Penne Chicken Pasta: Add lemon zest and juice to the cream sauce for a bright and refreshing flavor. Incorporate fresh herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme.
- Spicy Penne Chicken Pasta: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or use a spicy Italian sausage instead of chicken.
Tips for Penne Chicken Pasta Recipe Success
- Don't Overcook the Pasta: Cook the pasta al dente, which means "to the tooth." It should be slightly firm, not mushy.
- Brown the Chicken: Browning the chicken adds flavor and texture to the dish.
- Don't Overcrowd the Skillet: Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the skillet. Overcrowding will cause the chicken to steam instead of brown.
- Season Generously: Season the chicken and the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs add a burst of flavor and freshness to the dish.
- Use Good Quality Parmesan Cheese: Good quality parmesan cheese will melt smoothly and add a rich, nutty flavor to the sauce. Making this penne chicken pasta recipe even better.
Question and Answer: Penne Chicken Pasta Recipe FAQs
Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
A: Yes, you can use frozen chicken. Just be sure to thaw it completely before cooking.
Q: Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cook the pasta and chicken just before serving.
Q: Can I use different types of pasta?
A: Yes, you can use different types of pasta, such as rotini, fusilli, or farfalle.
Q: Can I add vegetables to this dish?
A: Absolutely! Feel free to add your favorite vegetables, such as broccoli, bell peppers, or zucchini.
Q: How do I prevent the pasta from sticking together?
A: Toss the cooked pasta with a little olive oil before adding it to the sauce.
Conclusion: Your Go-To Penne Chicken Pasta Recipe
Penne chicken pasta is a versatile and delicious dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. With its customizable sauce and easy-to-follow recipe, it's sure to become a family favorite. Enjoy experimenting with different variations and finding your perfect penne chicken pasta recipe combination.
Keywords: Penne Chicken Pasta Recipe, Creamy Pasta, Chicken Pasta, Easy Dinner, Weeknight Meal, Pasta Recipe, Parmesan Pasta, Chicken Recipe, Italian Food, Quick Dinner
Summary Question and Answer: This article provides a detailed penne chicken pasta recipe with variations, tips, and FAQs. Key takeaways include customizing the sauce, cooking pasta al dente, and the dish's adaptability.
Bruschetta Chicken Penne Pasta Recipe Easy Making Method Mega Bruschetta Chicken Penne Pasta Recipe 4.webpChicken Penne Pasta Recipes Healthy One Pot Manly Chicken. Pasta Chicken Penne Pasta Home Cooking Chicken Pasta Homestyle Easy Maxresdefault Penne Alfredo Recipe How To Make Chicken Pasta Blog Penne Alfredo 530x530 Creamy Chicken Penne Pasta Easy Two Peas Their Pod Chicken Penne Pasta 2 650x974 Creamy Tuscan Chicken Penne Girl Gone Gourmet Tuscan Style Chicken Pasta 04 Creamy Chicken Penne Pasta Recipe EasyWorldRecipes Creamy Chicken Penne Pasta Recipe Chicken Penne Pasta 30 Minute Meal Crazy For Crust One Pot Chicken Penne 4 640x960
Bruschetta Chicken Penne Pasta Recipe Easy Making Method Mega Bruschetta Chicken Penne Pasta Recipe 2.webpChicken Carbonara With Penne Pasta Jessica Gavin Easy One Pan Chicken Carbonara Pasta With Penne Peas And Bacon Easy Chicken Penne Pasta Recipe Easy Skillet Meal Chicken Penne Pasta 4 Chicken Penne Pasta Recipe Cheff Recipes Chicken Penne Pasta Recipe 732x1536 Chicken Penne Pasta 30 Minute Meal Miss In The Kitchen Chicken Penne Pasta Image Pin 720x1200 Spicy Penne Pasta Savory SweetFood Recipe In 2025 Spicy Pasta D415e9ecf87df9485f3d33e56f99da9c
Creamy Chicken Penne Pasta VIDEO The Recipe Rebel Chicken Penne Pasta TRR 4 Of 41 736x1104 Chicken Penne Pasta Recipe Charisse Yu IMG 2332 Scaled E1614406411121 Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipe The Mediterranean Dish Chicken Pasta With Spinach Recipe 4 1025x1536 Creamy Tuscan Chicken Penne Easy Peasy Meals Creamy Tuscan Chicken Penne 3 Creamy Chicken Penne Pasta VIDEO The Recipe Rebel Chicken Penne Pasta TRR 5 Of 41 Chicken Fajita Pasta Insanely Good Chicken Penne Pasta 800x530 Creamy Chicken Penne Pasta VIDEO The Recipe Rebel Chicken Penne Pasta TRR 17 Of 41
Chicken Penne Pasta Salt Lavender Chicken Penne Pasta Recipe 4 Creamy Garlic Chicken Penne Pasta YellowBlissRoad Com Creamy Garlic Chicken Penne 11 Creamy Chicken Penne Pasta VIDEO The Recipe Rebel Chicken Penne Pasta TRR 36 Of 41 1024x1536 Penne Pasta With Creamy Chicken Mushrooms And Asparagus Skinny Penne Pasta With Creamy Chicken Mushrooms And Asparagus Creamy Mushroom And Asparagus Chicken Penne Best Recipes 1 65 Creamy Crack Chicken Penne Pasta Recipe Creamy Crack Chicken Penne Pasta Recipe Chicken Penne Pasta Salt Lavender Chicken Penne Pasta Recipe 1 720x1080 Steps To Make Creamy Chicken Penne Pasta Recipes Creamy Chicken Penne 53
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe Savory Kitchen Stories Crack Chicken Penne Recipe 1yNRp9zu4AjSCzCcZ9qb3rpYaoIrw9y2T 768x929 Chicken Penne Pasta 30 Minute Meal Crazy For Crust One Pot Chicken Penne 3 Creamy Garlic Chicken Penne Pasta YellowBlissRoad Com Creamy Garlic Penne Pasta With Chicken 8
