Crac Chicken Penne
A creamy, cozy pasta dish that's fast, comforting, and perfect for busy weeknights, featuring juicy chicken and a silky garlic-Parmesan cream sauce.
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 oz Penne Pasta (Any pasta shape can be used)
For the Chicken
- 2 pieces Chicken Breast (Boneless and skinless)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder (Or fresh garlic for bolder flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano (Fresh preferred)
- 1 teaspoon Dried Basil (Fresh preferred)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (Or preferred cooking oil)
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Butter (Unsalted preferred)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (Or half-and-half for a lighter option)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (Freshly grated is preferred)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley (For garnish)
Instructions
Preparation
- Get your pasta water going in a large pot with lots of salt to bring it to a rolling boil.
- Slice the chicken breasts into thin strips or bite-size chunks for quicker cooking.
- Mix the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, and basil in a small bowl and sprinkle over the chicken.
Cooking
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken in a single layer for 3-4 minutes.
- Cook for a total of 7-9 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the penne in boiling water according to package instructions, usually 9-11 minutes, until al dente.
- Save about a cup of the pasta water before draining the penne.
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter, incorporating the chicken drippings.
- If using fresh garlic, sauté it for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream, whisking gently, and let it come to a soft simmer.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese gradually, whisking until melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the cooked penne and chicken back into the pan, tossing to coat with the sauce.
- Allow everything to cook together on low heat for 2-3 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
For meal prep, you can cook the chicken and pasta, store separately, and whip up the sauce when ready to eat. Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Add a splash of milk or cream when reheating if the sauce thickens.