Easy Chicken Alfredo Penne Recipe – A Delicious One-Pot Meal

Easy Chicken Alfredo Penne: The Perfect Weeknight Dinner

Looking for a satisfying, restaurant-quality meal that you can whip up on busy weeknights? This Easy Chicken Alfredo Penne recipe is the answer to your dinner dilemmas. Combining tender chunks of chicken with perfectly cooked pasta and a creamy, cheesy homemade sauce, this dish delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. Best of all, everything cooks in one pot, meaning less cleanup and more time to enjoy your delicious creation.

This recipe has become a family favorite for countless home cooks because it strikes the perfect balance between convenience and indulgence. The rich, velvety Alfredo sauce coats each piece of pasta and chicken, creating a comforting meal that feels special enough for company but simple enough for everyday dinners.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There are countless reasons why this Easy Chicken Alfredo Penne deserves a place in your regular meal rotation:

• One-Pot Wonder: The entire dish cooks in a single pot, minimizing cleanup
• Quick Preparation: Ready in just 30 minutes from start to finish
• Family-Friendly: A crowd-pleasing dish that even picky eaters will enjoy
• Customizable: Easy to adapt with vegetables or different proteins
• Restaurant Quality: Creates a creamy, rich Alfredo sauce without specialty ingredients

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best things about this recipe is that it uses simple, accessible ingredients that you may already have in your kitchen. Here’s everything you’ll need to create this delicious meal:

For the Chicken and Pasta:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
• 1-1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed into 1-inch pieces
• 1 teaspoon salt (divided)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (divided)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (or 2-3 cloves minced fresh garlic)
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
• 16 ounces (1 pound) penne pasta, uncooked
• 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth

For the Creamy Alfredo Sauce:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup butter, cut into pieces
• 1/2-3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional but recommended)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple instructions to create a delicious Chicken Alfredo Penne that will have everyone asking for seconds:

Step 1: Season and Cook the Chicken

Heat olive oil or butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the cubed chicken with half the salt, half the pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Add the seasoned chicken to the hot pot and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink and begins to brown slightly. If using fresh garlic and onion, add them during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking the chicken, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

Once the chicken is cooked through, add the uncooked penne pasta and chicken broth to the pot. Stir well to combine, making sure all pasta is submerged in the liquid. Cover the pot and bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking together. The pasta should begin to soften and absorb most of the liquid.

Step 3: Create the Alfredo Sauce

When the pasta is nearly al dente (cooked but still firm to the bite), add the heavy cream, butter, and nutmeg (if using) to the pot. Stir continuously until the butter has melted completely. Allow the mixture to simmer uncovered for about 5 minutes, until it begins to thicken slightly.

Step 4: Add the Cheese and Finish

Reduce the heat to low and sprinkle in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly to ensure it melts evenly without clumping. Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce has reached your desired consistency. If the sauce seems too thick, you can thin it with a splash of additional chicken broth or milk. Taste and adjust seasoning with remaining salt and pepper as needed.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the pot from heat and let it stand for 2-3 minutes to allow the sauce to further thicken. Serve your Chicken Alfredo Penne hot, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Recipe Variations and Customizations

While this Easy Chicken Alfredo Penne is delicious as written, you can easily adapt it to suit your preferences or make use of ingredients you have on hand:

Add Vegetables

Boost the nutritional value by adding vegetables like broccoli florets, spinach, mushrooms, or peas. Add firmer vegetables like broccoli when you add the pasta and broth. For more delicate vegetables like spinach, stir them in during the last few minutes of cooking.

Try Different Proteins

Substitute the chicken with other proteins like shrimp (add during the last 5 minutes of cooking), Italian sausage (brown before the chicken), or make it vegetarian by omitting the meat and adding extra vegetables.

Adjust the Creaminess

For a lighter version, substitute half of the heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk. For an extra indulgent dish, add 4 ounces of cream cheese when you add the Parmesan.

Spice It Up

Add red pepper flakes for a hint of heat, or stir in sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil for an Italian-inspired variation.

Storage and Reheating Tips

One of the benefits of this recipe is that it makes excellent leftovers, though the sauce may thicken considerably when refrigerated.

Refrigerating Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce will thicken significantly when chilled, which is completely normal.

Reheating Instructions

When reheating, add a splash of milk, cream, or chicken broth to restore the creamy consistency. Reheat gently over medium-low heat on the stovetop, stirring frequently, or in the microwave at 50% power, stirring every 30 seconds until heated through.

Freezing Not Recommended

This dish does not freeze well, as the cream-based sauce tends to separate when thawed and reheated, resulting in a grainy texture. It’s best to enjoy this dish fresh or as refrigerated leftovers.

Serving Suggestions

Complete your meal with these perfect accompaniments to Chicken Alfredo Penne:

• Garlic Bread: A classic pairing that’s perfect for soaking up extra Alfredo sauce
• Simple Green Salad: The fresh, crispness provides a nice contrast to the rich pasta
• Roasted Vegetables: For a complete meal, serve with roasted asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or green beans
• Wine Pairing: A crisp Chardonnay or light Pinot Grigio complements the creamy sauce beautifully

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I use different pasta shapes for this recipe?

A: Absolutely! While penne works wonderfully because its tubular shape holds the sauce well, you can substitute with fettuccine, rigatoni, or farfalle (bow ties). Just be aware that cooking times may vary slightly depending on the pasta shape.

Q: Is there a way to make this recipe lighter?

A: Yes, you can reduce the calories by using half-and-half instead of heavy cream, reducing the amount of butter, and incorporating more vegetables. However, these changes will result in a less creamy sauce.

Q: Can I use pre-cooked chicken to save time?

A: Definitely! Rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken works well in this recipe. Simply shred or cube the cooked chicken and add it when you add the cream to warm through.

Q: Why is my sauce too thin?

A: If your sauce is too thin, continue cooking uncovered for a few more minutes to reduce the liquid. The sauce will also thicken as it stands and cools slightly.

Q: Why did my sauce separate or look curdled?

A: This usually happens when the sauce is heated too quickly or at too high a temperature. Always add cream to a reduced heat and avoid boiling the sauce once the cream is added.

Pro Tips for Perfect Chicken Alfredo Penne

Elevate your dish from good to great with these professional cooking tips:

• Freshly Grate Your Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy. Always opt for a block of Parmesan and grate it yourself for the smoothest sauce.
• Don’t Rinse the Pasta: When cooking pasta separately, never rinse it after draining. The starch on the surface helps the sauce adhere better.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Allow butter and cream to come closer to room temperature before adding them to the hot pot. This prevents temperature shock that can cause sauce separation.
• Wooden Spoon Test: To check if your sauce has thickened properly, dip a wooden spoon into the sauce and run your finger along the back. If it leaves a clear path that doesn’t immediately fill in, your sauce is the right consistency.

This Easy Chicken Alfredo Penne recipe proves that you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen or use complicated techniques to create a memorable meal. With just one pot and about 30 minutes, you can serve a restaurant-quality dinner that will become a regular request in your household. The creamy sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta create a harmonious dish that’s comforting, satisfying, and impressively simple to prepare.

Author

Anjali Sayee

 

Anjali is an Associate Editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience specializing in hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She has authored over 300 articles and offers expert advice on hair styling techniques, effective skin care routines, and tips for maintaining healthy hair and skin.

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