Creamy Chicken Alfredo with Penne (Printable)
Rich Italian-American pasta dish with tender chicken, penne, and silky Parmesan cream sauce. Serves 4 in just 40 minutes.
# What You Need:
→ Poultry
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1 lb), cut into bite-sized pieces
→ Pasta
02 - 12 oz penne pasta
→ Dairy
03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 2 cups heavy cream
06 - 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 1/2 cup whole milk
→ Vegetables and Aromatics
08 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
→ Spices and Seasonings
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus additional for pasta water
11 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12 - Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg (optional)
# How To Cook:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water for sauce adjustment.
02 - While pasta cooks, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and cooked through, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm.
03 - In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter and minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
04 - Pour in heavy cream and milk, stirring to combine. Simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened.
05 - Reduce heat to low. Gradually stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with a pinch of nutmeg, additional salt, and pepper to taste.
06 - Return cooked chicken to the skillet, add drained penne, and toss to coat thoroughly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water until achieving desired consistency.
07 - Remove from heat. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sauce clings to every ridge of the penne like it was destined to be there, creating the perfect bite every single time.
- It has this magical ability to impress dinner guests while being completely doable on even your most exhausted weeknight.
02 -
- The pasta will continue absorbing sauce as it sits, so if youre not serving immediately, make your sauce slightly thinner than you think it should be.
- Temperature control is everything with cream sauces, too hot and it splits, too cool and the cheese wont properly incorporate.
03 -
- When reheating leftovers, add a splash of milk and warm over low heat, stirring frequently, to bring the sauce back to its former glory.
- The sauce thickens as it cools, so serve on warmed plates to maintain that perfect consistency from first bite to last.