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Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne

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Creamy Garlic Chicken & Penne is a quick and comforting weeknight meal featuring tender chicken strips, perfectly cooked penne pasta, and fresh broccoli tossed in a luscious garlic cream sauce. This easy-to-make recipe delivers rich flavors with minimal effort, making it perfect for busy families craving a satisfying and flavorful dinner.

 

Ingredients

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips

2 cups penne pasta

1.5 cups broccoli florets

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

0.5 teaspoon black pepper

0.5 teaspoon paprika

2–3 cloves garlic, minced (optional for extra flavor)

1 cup heavy cream or cream cheese (or dairy-free alternative)

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. During the last 3 minutes of cooking, add broccoli florets to the boiling pasta water. Drain pasta and broccoli together; set aside.

  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips, season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through.

  3. Reduce heat to medium; add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

  4. Add cooked pasta and broccoli to the skillet with chicken; stir to combine.

  5. Pour in cream (or creamy sauce base) and stir until everything is well coated and heated through. If using Parmesan, add now and stir until melted.

  6. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve warm.

Notes

For a dairy-free option, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or any plant-based cream.

Add mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.

Fresh herbs like basil or parsley can brighten the dish.

Substitute penne with other pasta shapes such as rigatoni or farfalle.

To make it spicy, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Find it online: https://familydinnercooking.com/creamy-garlic-chicken-penne/