Description
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Cheesy Penne Pasta is a comforting and indulgent one-pan meal that combines tender, seasoned chicken thighs with a luscious garlic-infused parmesan cream sauce tossed with perfectly cooked penne pasta. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner that’s both rich in flavor and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Additional salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Pat the boneless skinless chicken thighs dry and season them evenly with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning to infuse them with classic herb flavors.
- Heat the skillet: Warm a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil along with butter to create a flavorful fat base for searing.
- Sear the chicken: Place the chicken thighs into the hot skillet and sear them for 5 to 6 minutes on each side until they develop a golden crust and are cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
- Cook the pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until just al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta thoroughly.
- Sauté garlic: Reduce the skillet heat to medium and add a bit of butter along with the minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, releasing the garlic’s aroma into the pan.
- Add cream: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet and gently bring it to a simmer, allowing it to warm without boiling.
- Make the sauce: Gradually stir in the grated parmesan cheese and the reserved pasta water, whisking continuously until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Season the sauce: Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper as needed to balance and enhance the flavors.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta into the skillet and toss thoroughly to ensure every piece is coated with the creamy garlic parmesan sauce.
- Return chicken to skillet: Nestle the seared chicken thighs back into the skillet with the cheesy pasta, allowing them to warm together briefly.
- Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley and additional parmesan cheese over the top for a fresh, savory finish.
- Serve immediately: Plate the creamy garlic parmesan chicken and penne pasta hot, enjoying it while the sauce is rich and creamy.
Notes
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best flavor and smoothest sauce texture.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if it becomes too thick.
- Chicken thighs are preferred for juiciness, but boneless skinless chicken breasts can be substituted if desired.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Make sure to not overcook the pasta so it stays firm and complements the creamy sauce well.
