Get ready to fall in love with your new weeknight savior: Creamy Chicken Alfredo Penne: Dinner Made Simple. This dish is everything a cozy dinner should be—tender chicken, velvety Parmesan-infused Alfredo sauce, and perfectly cooked penne pasta, all mingling in delicious harmony. Whether you’re craving comfort food after a long day or want to impress without stress, this recipe puts smiles on plates with minimal fuss and maximum flavor. Grab your skillet, say goodbye to bland dinners, and let’s bring restaurant-worthy magic right to your table!

Creamy Chicken Alfredo Penne: Dinner Made Simple Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Part of what makes Creamy Chicken Alfredo Penne: Dinner Made Simple such a go-to favorite is its short, straightforward ingredient list. Each component shines, contributing fresh flavor, creamy luxury, or that little bit of irresistible bite. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters:

Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken works best for juicy, tender bites that soak up all that luscious Alfredo goodness.
Olive oil: Gives the chicken a golden sear, adding richness and helping those seasonings stick.
Salt and pepper: The basics, but never to be skipped—they bring out all the savory notes in both your chicken and sauce.
Unsalted butter: The foundation of Alfredo sauce; it flavors and enriches the cream while blending beautifully with garlic.
Garlic: Four cloves, minced, for a background warmth and classic Italian aroma that makes the sauce sing.
Heavy cream: Provides that velvety, decadent texture Alfredo fans crave—nothing else quite compares!
Parmesan cheese: The magic ingredient adding nutty, salty complexity and thickening the sauce to glorious creaminess.
Penne pasta: Ridged tubes that hold onto the sauce perfectly, ensuring every bite is loaded with flavor.
Salt for boiling water: Just a pinch transforms bland pasta into something special—don’t skimp!

How to Make Creamy Chicken Alfredo Penne: Dinner Made Simple

Step 1: Cook the Chicken

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat your chicken breasts dry and season them lightly but thoroughly with salt and pepper—it makes a big difference! Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet and add in the chicken, searing each side for 5–6 minutes until you see that gorgeous golden crust. Transfer the skillet straight to your hot oven; let the chicken finish cooking for 15–20 minutes, or until a thermometer reads 165°F (74°C). Once done, let it rest—this keeps it unbelievably juicy—then slice into inviting strips, ready for their Alfredo bath.

Step 2: Prepare the Alfredo Sauce

While the chicken bakes, start the sauce that’s the heart of Creamy Chicken Alfredo Penne: Dinner Made Simple. In a large saucepan, melt your butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic, swirling it for a minute or two until your kitchen smells absolutely heavenly. Pour in the rich heavy cream, raise it to a gentle simmer, and then slowly stir in the freshly grated Parmesan. Keep stirring; in about 5 minutes it should thicken to a silky, dreamy sauce. Season with salt and pepper, and marvel at how quickly it comes together!

Step 3: Cook the Penne

Fill a large pot with water, salt it generously, and bring it to a rolling boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until it’s just shy of al dente—remember, your pasta will soak up a bit more goodness once tossed with the sauce. Drain it well and set aside, resisting the temptation to rinse (that starch is key for letting the sauce cling!).

Step 4: Combine and Serve

Now for the satisfying moment of union! Add the drained penne straight into the Alfredo sauce, stirring so every piece gets a creamy coating. Gently fold in your sliced chicken, letting the flavors blend. Taste for seasoning—sometimes a pinch of extra Parmesan or pepper is all it needs. Serve immediately, heaping bowls generously, and finish with a flourish of grated Parmesan if you wish. Warm, soothing, and just waiting for that first perfect bite.

How to Serve Creamy Chicken Alfredo Penne: Dinner Made Simple

Garnishes

A dish this classic deserves a touch of finesse! Top each bowl with a snowfall of freshly grated Parmesan, a sprinkle of cracked black pepper, or even a scatter of chopped fresh parsley for color and brightness. If you love a little zing, try a wisp of lemon zest—just a touch wakes up the creamy richness.

Side Dishes

Pairing is pure fun. Creamy Chicken Alfredo Penne: Dinner Made Simple plays beautifully with garlicky sautéed spinach, crisp Caesar salads, or simple steamed broccoli. Crusty garlic bread or a warm baguette is all you need to soak up every last drop of sauce—trust me, you won’t want any to go to waste!

Creative Ways to Present

Elevate the everyday! Serve individual portions in shallow pasta bowls for an upscale touch, or create a big family-style platter that lets everyone help themselves. For extra flair, nestle a portion of penne in Parmesan cheese “baskets” or top with a few cherry tomato halves and a drizzle of olive oil for restaurant-worthy presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Creamy Chicken Alfredo Penne: Dinner Made Simple keeps surprisingly well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The sauce may thicken as it chills, but that just means more concentrated flavor for lunch tomorrow!

Freezing

While Alfredo sauces don’t always freeze perfectly, you can freeze the pasta and chicken together (without the sauce) for best results. Store cooled portions in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to two months, then make a fresh batch of Alfredo when ready to serve for that creamy texture you crave.

Reheating

To gently revive your Creamy Chicken Alfredo Penne: Dinner Made Simple, warm portions in a skillet with a splash of cream or milk over low heat—this restores the sauce’s silkiness without breaking it. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works too; just reheat in 30-second bursts, stirring each time, until hot and smooth.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! While penne is perfect for trapping that Alfredo sauce, you can swap in fettuccine, rigatoni, or even spaghetti. Just follow package instructions for cooking and enjoy the same creamy results.

Is there a lighter version of this recipe?

You can lighten Creamy Chicken Alfredo Penne: Dinner Made Simple by using half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reducing the butter slightly. The sauce will be a bit thinner but still deliciously creamy.

What’s the best way to get juicy chicken every time?

Searing the chicken first and then finishing it in the oven locks in moisture and ensures even cooking. Letting it rest before slicing is also key for juiciness—don’t skip that step!

Can I add vegetables to this dish?

Go for it! Sautéed mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, peas, or spinach all make tasty additions, adding color, nutrition, and extra dimension to your Creamy Chicken Alfredo Penne: Dinner Made Simple.

Does store-bought grated Parmesan work?

Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly and delivers a richer flavor in your sauce, but in a pinch, pre-grated can work—just avoid the powdery kind in the green can for best results.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like sitting down to a homemade bowl of Creamy Chicken Alfredo Penne: Dinner Made Simple. Invite family or friends, pour a glass of something you love, and enjoy every tender, creamy, soul-satisfying bite. Don’t be surprised if it becomes your new dinnertime ritual!

Creamy Chicken Alfredo Penne: Dinner Made Simple Recipe

★★★★★

5.3 from 26 reviews

Author: Zoe
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: None

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in a comforting and flavorful Creamy Chicken Alfredo Penne dish that is sure to become a family favorite. This recipe combines tender chicken with a rich Alfredo sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked penne pasta for a satisfying meal.

Instructions

Cook the Chicken: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet, cook chicken on both sides until golden brown. Bake in the oven until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Let rest, then slice.
Prepare the Alfredo Sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan, sauté garlic, pour in cream, simmer. Add Parmesan, cook until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
Cook the Penne: Boil salted water, cook penne until al dente. Drain.
Combine and Serve: Add penne to the Alfredo sauce, mix well. Add sliced chicken. Serve hot, garnish with Parmesan.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baking, Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian