Description
Culinary magic unfolds with this creamy chicken pasta recipe, blending tender chicken and al dente noodles in a rich sauce. Home cooks will savor each comforting bite of this classic Italian-inspired comfort dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 0.5 lb (227 g) penne pasta
- 1.5 cups (360 ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) milk
- 3 oz (85 g) cream cheese, cut into chunks
- 2 tbsps (30 g) butter
- 0.33 cup (80 ml) basil pesto
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.25 cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups (85 g) fresh spinach (optional)
- 0.25 cup (35 g) sliced sun-dried tomatoes (optional)
- Freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Dice chicken breasts into uniform cubes for consistent cooking and texture.
- Searing: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown chicken pieces until golden with crispy edges.
- Aromatics: Add minced garlic and sauté briefly to release fragrant notes without scorching.
- Pasta Integration: Combine penne pasta and chicken broth in the skillet, scraping caramelized bits to enhance flavor profile.
- Cooking Pasta: Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until pasta reaches perfect al dente consistency.
- Creamy Transformation: Blend whole milk, cream cheese, and basil pesto into a silky, luxurious sauce, stirring continuously.
- Cheese Incorporation: Sprinkle Parmesan cheese, stirring until sauce reaches ideal thickness and smooth texture.
- Final Touches: Gently fold in baby spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, allowing vegetables to warm through and spinach to wilt.
- Seasoning and Serving: Finish with freshly cracked black pepper and crushed red pepper flakes, then serve immediately while steaming hot.
Notes
- Achieve Uniform Cooking: Cut chicken into consistent 1-inch cubes to guarantee even browning and prevent uneven texture.
- Control Garlic Intensity: Sauté minced garlic briefly (45-60 seconds) to release flavors without burning, which can create bitter undertones.
- Boost Flavor Depth: Scrape caramelized bits from skillet bottom when adding broth, capturing concentrated chicken and butter essence.
- Perfect Pasta Texture: Simmer pasta covered for 8-9 minutes, checking for al dente consistency to prevent overcooking and mushy results.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 635
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 870 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg