🍝 A Restaurant-Quality Pasta in 30 Minutes!
This Creamy Parmesan Herb Chicken Penne is pure comfort in a bowl—tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a velvety Parmesan sauce infused with garlic and herbs. It’s fancy enough for date night but easy enough for weeknights!
🌟 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ 30-minute meal – Faster than takeout!
✅ Creamy without being heavy – Perfectly balanced sauce
✅ Packed with flavor – Garlic, herbs, and a Parmesan punch
✅ Crowd-pleaser – Kids and adults alike will devour it
📋 Ingredients
For the Chicken & Pasta
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp each: salt, black pepper, garlic powder, dried basil, dried thyme, onion powder
- 12 oz (340g) penne pasta
For the Sauce
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Pasta
- Boil penne in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2️⃣ Sauté the Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add chicken and all spices (salt, pepper, garlic powder, basil, thyme, onion powder).
- Cook 6–8 mins until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3️⃣ Make the Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt butter.
- Add garlic, sauté 30 secs until fragrant.
- Whisk in flour to form a roux (1 min).
- Gradually whisk in heavy cream + chicken broth until smooth.
- Stir in Parmesan + red pepper flakes until melted and thickened.
4️⃣ Combine & Serve
- Return chicken + pasta to the skillet.
- Toss to coat in sauce and heat through.
- Garnish with parsley + extra Parmesan.
💡 Chef’s Tips
🔹 Don’t overcook pasta – It’ll soften more when mixed with sauce.
🔹 Freshly grate Parmesan – Pre-shredded won’t melt as smoothly.
🔹 Cream substitute – Half-and-half works but sauce will be thinner.
🔹 Extra veggies – Add spinach or sun-dried tomatoes with the chicken.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
✨ Pair with:
- Garlic bread for dipping
- Crisp white wine (Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay)
- Simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette
🎉 Perfect for:
- Busy weeknight dinners
- Romantic meals at home
- Potluck pasta dishes
🌿 Variations
- Mushroom lovers – Sauté mushrooms with the garlic.
- Bacon boost – Top with crispy crumbled bacon.
- Lighter version – Use milk + cornstarch instead of cream.
📊 Nutrition (Per Serving)
Approximate values:
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Protein: 42g
- Carbs: 52g
- Fat: 28g
🍝 Final Thoughts
This Creamy Parmesan Herb Chicken Penne is the ultimate comfort food upgrade—luxuriously creamy, packed with flavor, and ready in a flash. It’s guaranteed to become a regular in your dinner rotation!
Pro tip: For extra richness, stir in 1 tbsp cream cheese with the Parmesan.
Made this? Tag #ParmesanChickenPasta to share your dish! 📸💛
Want to make it ahead? The sauce keeps 3 days in the fridge—just reheat and toss with freshly cooked pasta! 😊
