Description
A comforting and quick recipe that combines tender chicken with creamy Parmesan penne, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 2 lemons
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
- Lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the penne in salted water until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water. Drain and set aside.
- Season the chicken pieces with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper for an even flavor.
- Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden-brown and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter, then add the minced garlic, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Squeeze in the lemon juice and add the zest, simmering for about 1 minute to release the flavors.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring continuously.
- Add the softened cream cheese, whisking until the mixture is smooth. Gradually stir in the Parmesan, mozzarella, and crushed red pepper flakes until the sauce is thick and glossy.
- Toss the cooked penne into the sauce, ensuring that every piece is coated in the creamy goodness.
- Finally, return the chicken to the skillet and fold everything together gently.
- Garnish with fresh basil and lemon slices, serving hot for the best enjoyment.
Notes
Make sure to reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if necessary. This dish is great for meal prep and keeps well in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: chicken, pasta, creamy, lemon, garlic, quick meals, family recipes