Creamy Chicken Alfredo Penne: Dinner Made Simple
Creamy Chicken Alfredo Penne is a rich and comforting pasta dish made with tender chicken, penne pasta, and a homemade garlic Parmesan Alfredo sauce for a creamy, restaurant-style dinner at home.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop / Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (for sauce)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (for sauce)
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt (for boiling water)
- Optional: extra Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- Sear chicken in olive oil for 5–6 minutes per side until golden.
- Bake chicken for 15–20 minutes until it reaches 165°F, then rest and slice.
- Boil salted water and cook penne pasta until al dente. Drain.
- Melt butter in a saucepan and sauté garlic for 1 minute.
- Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Season sauce with salt and black pepper.
- Toss cooked pasta in Alfredo sauce until coated.
- Add sliced chicken, mix, and serve with optional toppings.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce.
- Do not boil the sauce too hard to avoid separation.
- Add milk or cream when reheating to restore texture.
- Vegetables like broccoli or spinach can be added for variation.
- Let chicken rest before slicing to keep it juicy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 750
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 165mg
