One Pot Chicken Penne Pasta

I am SO EXCITED about this One Pot Chicken Penne Pasta — it’s one of those recipes that screams WEEKNIGHT HERO and cozy family dinner all at once!!! One Pot Chicken Penne Pasta is creamy, quick, and unbelievably comforting, and yes, you will make it again and again because it’s THAT good, that easy, that family-friendly. In the very first sentence: One Pot Chicken Penne Pasta gives you big flavor with almost no fuss, perfect for meal preppers, busy families, and anyone who wants dinner DONE. Want another easy chicken idea while you’re here? I also love sharing wins like my honey glazed chicken with mashed potatoes for nights you want something a little different but still cozy.

This recipe uses simple pantry staples and one pot. One pot. One pan. Less cleanup. Less stress. More taste. I found this trick on a frantic Tuesday when I was teaching—oh wait, former teacher brain—now full-time food blogger, and I needed dinner that felt like a hug but was fast. It worked. It WORKS!!! You can do this! You can seriously do this! You will love it, you’ll make it again and again. Want to know how? Read on!!!

Why You’ll Love It

You’ll love this because it’s FAST and comforting and creamy and wonderfully forgiving, honestly so forgiving, and the chicken and penne soak up flavor like a dream, the sauce is luxuriously silky, and it feels fancy but it’s totally everyday. Meal preppers, tired parents, one-pan lovers—this one’s for you and it caters to picky kids and health-minded eaters with easy swaps, so it’s flexible and forgiving and will make everyone happy, even the picky ones (yes, even them). It’s also budget-friendly, satisfying, and surprisingly elegant for how little effort it takes. Trust me, you’ll praise it, praise it, praise it again. Want a similar creamy comfort? Try this one-pot creamy garlic parmesan chicken for more inspiration, because why not have options, right?

Ingredients

• 2 cups penne pasta
• 1 lb chicken breast, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Parsley for garnish

I spotlight the Parmesan and the heavy cream here because they make the sauce dreamy. Want lighter? Swap half-and-half or a lighter cream and bump the cheese for flavor. Gluten-free pasta works great if you need it. I usually buy my pasta at the local co-op or a big-box store when it’s on sale (cost-savvy tip: stock up during sales). Buy good Parmesan if you can (it matters, but don’t stress). Experiment—add spinach, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes—make it YOURS, totally customizable. For more pasta-eyed inspiration, poke around the pasta collection here: pasta dishes for every mood.

The Process Overview

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook until golden and cooked through.

• Don’t worry if the chicken isn’t perfectly browned at first. It’s okay. Cook 6–8 minutes until it’s mostly done, then keep going.

2. Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.

• Smells amazing, right? Breathe in. Tiny sizzle time. Don’t burn the garlic. Quick stir.

3. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer.

• Simmering brings everything together. You’ll see the flavor building. It’s not scary. Promise.

4. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, stirring occasionally.

• Look for that tender-but-firm bite. Stir so pasta doesn’t stick. Time markers: usually 10–12 minutes, check at 8. If liquid gets low, add a splash more broth.

5. Reduce heat and stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.

• The sauce will thicken slightly and shine. Stir until glossy and smooth; it comes together fast.

6. Mix well and let the sauce thicken slightly.

• Taste for salt and pepper. Adjust. Add parsley. Finish with a final toss.

7. Serve warm, garnished with parsley.

• Garnish makes it feel special. Always garnish. Always!!!

If the sauce seems thin, let it sit off heat a minute; it will thicken. If too thick, splash in a little broth. Simple fixes. You got this. Seriously, you really do.

Tips & Tricks

Make-ahead? Yes. Cook, cool, refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of broth or milk to loosen the sauce—stir often. Freezing? You can freeze cooked chicken separately or freeze assembled, but texture may change (I do separate). Batch cooking: double it, because leftovers are heaven. Kid-friendly? Cut chicken small, mild seasoning, add hidden veggies. Teacher voice: measure once, taste twice, adjust always. Use tongs to stir gently so you don’t break pasta. Want crisped chicken? Sear it first in a separate pan then add; but that’s optional. No stress. No drama. Make it yours, make it now.

Serving Suggestions

Pair this with a crisp green salad, garlic bread, or simple roasted veggies—so comforting and so balanced. For a lighter plate, a lemony arugula salad is PERFECT. For company? Dress it up with extra cheese and chopped herbs and a little cracked pepper (pretty!). I love serving it with roasted broccoli or a side of sautéed greens (Mom-approved!). Leftovers? Stir into soups, make a pasta bake, or fold into stuffed peppers—creative, delicious, and thrifty. Try it for weeknight dinners, casual date nights, or anytime you want dinner that feels like a hug. Try it. Try it now. You’ll be so, so glad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Rest assured this One Pot Chicken Penne Pasta is SO easy and SO delicious and SO flexible — I mean really, really a reliable winner. Tell me how it went, send pics, tag me on socials, ask questions, share your swaps (I want to know!). You can do this!!! Want more recipes? Ask away. Happy cooking — Elena (you can do this, you really can)

One Pot Chicken Penne Pasta

A creamy and comforting one-pot pasta dish that's fast, budget-friendly, and perfect for a weeknight dinner, making it a family-favorite option.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 4 servings

Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 2 cups penne pasta Gluten-free pasta works great if needed.
• 1 lb chicken breast, diced Can substitute with boneless skinless thighs for more flavor.
• 2 tablespoons olive oil For cooking the chicken.
• 4 cloves garlic, minced Do not burn the garlic.
• 1 cup heavy cream Can substitute with half-and-half for a lighter option.
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese Use good quality for the best flavor.
• 2 cups chicken broth May need to add more if liquid gets low.
• Salt and pepper to taste Adjust seasoning for personal preference.
• Parsley for garnish Makes the dish feel special.

Instructions

 

Cooking the Chicken

• In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
• Add the diced chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook until golden and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes.
• Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.

Cooking the Pasta

• Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
• Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, stirring occasionally.
• Reduce heat and stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, mixing well.
• Taste for salt and pepper, adjust as necessary, then add parsley.

Serving

• Serve warm, garnished with parsley.

Notes

Make-ahead: refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze separately. Can easily be customized with additional vegetables or different cheeses.

Keyword Family Dinner, One Pot Chicken Pasta, Penne Pasta, Quick Dinner