Creamy Garlic Chicken Penne – Comfort in Every Bite

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Are you looking for a meal that feels like a comforting embrace at the end of a hectic day? Something that is both wonderfully indulgent and surprisingly simple to prepare? Your search ends here. We firmly believe that a good pasta dish can make everything better, and our recipe for Creamy Garlic Chicken Penne – Comfort in Every Bite is the perfect example. It’s a dish destined to be loved by everyone, bringing together tender chicken, perfectly cooked penne, and a heavenly, velvety garlic cream sauce. This isn’t just another recipe; it’s about to become your new favourite for a deeply satisfying meal.

Why You’ll Adore This Creamy Garlic Chicken Penne Recipe

We understand that life can be busy, which is why we’ve crafted this dish to be as effortless as it is delectable. It has certainly become a staple in our kitchens, and we have a feeling it will in yours, too. Here are just a few reasons why we’re so fond of it:

Quick and Easy: The entire meal is ready in around 30 minutes, which makes it the perfect solution for a quick weeknight dinner.
Incredible Flavour: The sauce is truly the heart of this dish. It is sumptuously creamy and infused with savoury garlic and Parmesan, clinging beautifully to every piece of chicken and pasta.
Family-Friendly: A creamy pasta dish is a surefire hit, even with the most discerning of eaters. It’s a wholesome meal that gathers the whole family around the table.
Customisable: You can easily make this recipe your own by adding your preferred vegetables or a little extra spice. We’ll even offer some of our top suggestions below!

Essential Ingredients for the Perfect Dish

To whip up this culinary delight, you only need a few straightforward, quality ingredients. The real charm is in how they combine to produce a restaurant-quality creamy garlic chicken pasta in your own home. Here is what you will need:

Penne Pasta: 400g. The ridged texture of penne is ideal for capturing every bit of that luscious sauce.
Chicken Breasts: 2 large (around 500g), boneless and skinless, chopped into bite-sized chunks.
Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons.
Butter: 2 tablespoons.
Onion: 1 medium, diced finely.
Garlic: 4-6 cloves, minced. We adore garlic, so feel free to be generous!
Chicken Broth: 250ml. This provides a fantastic, savoury depth to the sauce.
Double Cream: 250ml. This is the secret to an incredibly rich and luxurious texture.
Parmesan Cheese: 100g, freshly grated, with a little extra for serving.
Fresh Parsley: A small handful, chopped finely.
Seasoning: Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to your preference.
Optional: A dash of red pepper flakes if you fancy a touch of warmth.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Mastering Your Creamy Garlic Chicken Penne

Ready to get cooking? Just follow our straightforward steps to create this wonderful easy chicken penne recipe. We assure you, it’s completely foolproof!

Cook the Pasta: Set a large pot of salted water on to boil. Tip in the penne and cook it as per the packet directions until it is ‘al dente’. Before you drain it, remember to save a mugful of the starchy cooking water. Drain the pasta and leave it to one side.
Prepare the Chicken: As the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces liberally with salt and pepper. Warm the olive oil in a large, deep frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring now and then, until golden and cooked all the way through. Transfer the chicken from the pan to a plate.
Build the Flavour Base: Using the same pan, melt the butter over a medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until it has softened and turned translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until it becomes fragrant, making sure it doesn’t brown.
Create the Creamy Sauce: Deglaze the pan by pouring in the chicken broth, making sure to scrape up any tasty browned bits from the bottom. Allow it to simmer for a few minutes to reduce a little. Turn down the heat and gently pour in the double cream, stirring as you go.
Bring It All Together: Add the freshly grated Parmesan and stir until it has melted smoothly into the sauce. Let the sauce bubble away gently for 2-3 minutes until it begins to thicken. If it becomes too thick, a splash of the reserved pasta water will loosen it to your preferred consistency.
Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken to the pan along with the drained penne and the chopped parsley. Gently mix everything together until the chicken and pasta are generously coated in the glorious creamy garlic sauce. Check the seasoning and add a little more salt and pepper if needed.
Garnish: Serve straight away in warmed bowls. Finish with an extra grating of Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Savour every mouthful!

Top Tips for an Unforgettable Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta

Would you like to take your dish from simply delicious to truly exceptional? Here are a few of our professional secrets to guarantee your garlic chicken penne turns out perfectly every time.

Don’t Overcook the Pasta: To achieve the best texture, cook your pasta just until it’s ‘al dente’. Remember, it will cook a little more once it’s added to the hot sauce. For more fantastic tips, have a look at this guide on how to cook pasta to perfection from BBC Good Food.
Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Packaged pre-grated cheese often includes powders to stop it clumping, which can affect how it melts. Grating your own Parmesan from a block will make a world of difference to the final flavour and texture of your sauce.
The Magic of Pasta Water: Never throw away the water your pasta was cooked in! It’s full of starch, which acts as a natural emulsifier and thickener, helping the sauce to coat the penne perfectly.
Don’t Rush the Sauce: Let your sauce simmer gently. If you boil a cream-based sauce too fiercely, it can split and develop a grainy texture. A little patience is all it takes to achieve a silky-smooth result.

Delicious Variations and Add-Ins

One of our favourite aspects of this recipe is just how adaptable it is. It provides an excellent foundation for your own culinary creativity. If you appreciate the comforting nature of this dish, we’re sure you’ll adore our Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup Recipe The Ultimate Comfort Food, which delivers a similar cosy experience in a bowl.

Spice It Up

For those who enjoy a bit of warmth, add 1/2 a teaspoon of red pepper flakes when you sauté the garlic. You could also experiment with a teaspoon of smoked paprika or some Cajun seasoning to introduce a smoky, vibrant twist.

Add Some Veggies

This is a brilliant opportunity to add more goodness to your meal. Stir through a couple of large handfuls of fresh spinach towards the end and allow it to wilt into the sauce. Sautéed mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or tender-stem broccoli also make for wonderful additions.

A Different Protein

This creamy garlic sauce is incredibly versatile and pairs well with other proteins. Consider swapping the chicken for juicy king prawns (add them near the end of cooking to keep them tender) or even fillets of pan-fried salmon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Although this pasta is at its best when served immediately, you can absolutely get a head start. The chicken can be cooked and the sauce prepared a day in advance. Simply store them in separate containers in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, gently warm the sauce (adding a little milk or broth to loosen it up) and cook the pasta fresh.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. For reheating, we find it’s best to place the pasta in a saucepan over a low heat with a splash of milk, cream, or chicken broth. Stir it gently until it’s warmed all the way through. This helps to restore the sauce’s creamy texture.

Can I use milk instead of double cream?

You can, but please be aware the sauce will not be as rich or thick. If you opt for milk, we recommend making a slurry by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornflour with 2 tablespoons of cold milk and stirring this into the sauce to help it thicken. Double cream is also less prone to curdling at a simmer, making it the more reliable option.

What can I serve with this creamy garlic chicken penne?

This dish is a complete meal in itself, but it’s particularly delightful with a side of crusty garlic bread for soaking up every last bit of sauce. A simple green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette also offers a lovely, crisp contrast to the richness of the pasta.

Conclusion: Your New Favourite Comfort Meal

So there you have it—a straightforward, elegant, and profoundly satisfying recipe for the best garlic chicken penne you will ever create. This dish is a true celebration of flavour and simplicity, showing that you don’t need complex methods to produce a memorable meal. If you love comforting chicken and pasta combinations, we are confident you will also enjoy The Ultimate Garlic Butter Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe.

We truly hope you feel inspired to head to the kitchen and give this recipe a go. It is ideal for a quiet evening, a celebratory dinner, or any time you crave a bowl of pure comfort. We would be delighted to hear how you get on! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below, or tag us in your pictures on social media. Happy cooking!

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