Chicken Penne with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
When it comes to quick and comforting meals, chicken penne with creamy mushroom sauce is the perfect option. This dish combines succulent chicken, creamy mushrooms, and hearty penne pasta into a flavorful one-pan meal that is as satisfying as it is simple. Whether you’re cooking for a busy family or looking to treat yourself after a long day, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your household.
The creamy mushroom sauce is the heart of this dish, making it rich and indulgent without being overwhelming. This dish balances comfort and elegance, with the smooth, savory sauce complementing the tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta. As easy as it is to prepare, this chicken penne will leave everyone at the table wanting more.
Why This Recipe is Perfect for Busy Nights
In today’s fast-paced world, finding time to cook can be a challenge. That’s why this simple chicken penne recipe is an absolute game-changer for busy nights. With minimal preparation and cooking time, it’s an ideal dinner option when you want something comforting and filling without hours in the kitchen. Plus, everything is cooked in one pan, which means less time spent cleaning up afterward.
Using readily available ingredients, this recipe is also cost-effective, making it suitable for families and anyone trying to stick to a budget. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your partner, or your entire family, you can have a delicious meal ready in under 30 minutes.
For added convenience, the recipe is flexible enough to incorporate your favorite vegetables, such as asparagus or spinach. You can also swap ingredients based on your preferences or dietary restrictions, making it a versatile meal. And if you have a little extra time, feel free to experiment with different types of pasta or cream alternatives to make it your own.
By focusing on simplicity and flavor, this dish offers everything you need in one satisfying meal. So, if you’re looking for a recipe that combines ease, flavor, and comfort, look no further than chicken penne with creamy mushroom sauce. It’s a dish that guarantees success every time you make it.
For more tips on meal planning for busy nights, check out our guide on meal prepping for the week or simple pasta recipes.
Key Ingredients for the Best Chicken Penne Recipe
Chicken Breasts: The Lean Protein Choice
The star of this dish is undeniably the chicken breast. Known for its lean and tender texture, chicken breast provides a mild flavor that works perfectly with the creamy mushroom sauce. Its versatility allows it to absorb the savory sauce, giving the dish a satisfying richness without being too heavy. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are preferred in this recipe as they cook quickly and are easy to work with, making them an excellent choice for a quick weeknight meal.
For the best results, make sure to choose fresh, high-quality chicken breasts. You can also use organic chicken for a more flavorful and healthier option. If you’re looking to cut down on prep time, consider buying pre-cut chicken breast pieces or even using chicken tenders, which require minimal cutting. To ensure the chicken stays juicy and tender, avoid overcooking it, as this can cause it to become dry.
Chicken breast is also a great source of protein, making it an excellent choice for a well-balanced meal. According to Wikipedia, chicken breast is also lower in fat compared to other cuts of chicken, making it a healthy option for those looking to maintain a balanced diet.
Penne Pasta: A Reliable Base
When it comes to pasta for this creamy dish, penne is the perfect choice. Its short, tube-like shape makes it ideal for soaking up sauces, ensuring that each bite is packed with flavor. Penne pasta also holds up well when tossed with creamy sauces like the one in this recipe, making it a reliable base for the dish.
While penne is the traditional choice for this recipe, feel free to experiment with other pasta types that you prefer. Rigatoni or farfalle could be great alternatives, providing a slightly different texture but still working well with the sauce. For those who need gluten-free options, there are plenty of gluten-free pasta alternatives available on the market, such as rice pasta or corn-based penne, that work just as well in this dish.
If you’re interested in exploring the different types of pasta, you can read more on Penne Pasta for a deeper understanding of its origins and characteristics.
Mushrooms: Flavor and Texture
Mushrooms play a crucial role in this dish, adding both flavor and texture to the creamy sauce. Their earthy, umami-rich flavor complements the richness of the cream, making the sauce more complex and satisfying. For this recipe, sliced cremini mushrooms or button mushrooms are ideal. They cook down well and release their moisture into the sauce, enhancing its depth.
Mushrooms also have a wonderful ability to absorb flavors, so when they cook in the chicken broth and cream, they take on the flavors of the dish, adding even more dimension. You can experiment with different mushroom varieties, such as shiitake or portobello, if you want to introduce a more intense flavor.
Mushrooms are also packed with nutrients. They are a good source of fiber, vitamins D and B complex, and antioxidants, which can contribute to a healthier diet. According to Wikipedia, mushrooms have long been prized for their health benefits and culinary uses.
For more mushroom recipes and cooking tips, check out this guide on how to cook mushrooms.
Asparagus: A Light, Fresh Addition
Asparagus is another key ingredient that elevates this dish, adding a fresh and crisp texture to the creamy pasta. Asparagus pairs beautifully with the creamy sauce and tender chicken, bringing a touch of freshness to balance out the richness. The green spears add a slight crunch, which contrasts nicely with the smoothness of the sauce and pasta.
When selecting asparagus, look for firm, straight stalks with tightly closed tips. Thin asparagus tends to be more tender, while thicker stalks may require a slightly longer cooking time. To prepare, simply chop the asparagus into 1-inch pieces and sauté them in the pan with the mushrooms for a few minutes until tender.
Asparagus is not only a great addition to this dish for its flavor, but it’s also full of nutrients. It is a good source of folate, vitamins A, C, and K, and fiber. For more details on its health benefits, you can check out the Wikipedia article on asparagus.
Key Ingredients for the Best Chicken Penne Recipe
Heavy Cream and Parmesan: For a Creamy, Savory Sauce
The key to the richness of the creamy mushroom sauce lies in the use of heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Heavy cream provides the smooth, velvety texture that defines this sauce, giving it the right level of creaminess without being too heavy. The high-fat content of the cream helps it blend seamlessly with the chicken broth and cheese to create a cohesive sauce that coats every piece of pasta perfectly.
Parmesan cheese is another essential ingredient, contributing a nutty, salty depth of flavor that balances the richness of the cream. Grated fresh Parmesan works best, as it melts beautifully into the sauce, adding a silky finish. If you can’t find fresh Parmesan, you can use pre-grated Parmesan, but be sure to look for one that’s not overly processed for the best results.
For a lower-fat alternative, you can substitute heavy cream with a lighter option such as half-and-half or milk. However, using a full-fat option like heavy cream ensures that you get the best flavor and texture in your sauce.
If you’re interested in learning more about the health benefits of heavy cream or Parmesan cheese, check out the Wikipedia page on Heavy Cream and Parmesan Cheese.
Olive Oil, Garlic, and Chicken Broth: Enhancing the Flavor
The olive oil used to cook the chicken adds a layer of richness and helps to brown the meat, giving it a beautiful golden color and locking in flavor. Olive oil is also a healthy fat choice, making it an excellent base for sautéing the chicken and vegetables.
Garlic, a quintessential ingredient in many savory dishes, adds aromatic depth to the sauce. The sharp, pungent flavor of freshly minced garlic provides a contrast to the creamy sauce and works in harmony with the mushrooms and asparagus. Cooking the garlic in the olive oil before adding the other ingredients allows it to release its essential oils and infuse the dish with a fragrant warmth.
Chicken broth is another key component in the recipe, providing the liquid base for the sauce. It imparts a savory depth that ties all the ingredients together. When simmered with the mushrooms, garlic, and cream, the chicken broth enriches the overall flavor profile, making the sauce even more savory and indulgent.
If you are interested in learning more about the different types of oils, check out the article on Olive Oil on Wikipedia, or for a better understanding of how to use different broths in your recipes, explore the Chicken Broth page.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Penne Pasta
Start by cooking the penne pasta according to the package directions. Be sure to salt the water generously before adding the pasta. This helps season the pasta and ensures it has plenty of flavor. Once the pasta is cooked to al dente (firm but tender), drain it and set it aside, reserving a small amount of pasta water. This starchy water can be used later to adjust the consistency of the sauce if needed.
If you’re using gluten-free pasta, be sure to follow the cooking instructions carefully, as different brands may have varying cooking times. Gluten-free pasta often requires extra attention to prevent overcooking, so check it frequently.
Cooking the Chicken
While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper before adding them to the skillet. Brown the chicken on all sides for about 6-7 minutes, until it is cooked through and no longer pink in the center. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before cutting it into bite-sized pieces. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures a moist, tender chicken.
If you prefer crispy chicken, you can also pan-sear the chicken pieces until golden brown before adding them back to the sauce.
Sautéing Vegetables (Asparagus and Mushrooms)
In the same skillet, add the chopped asparagus and sliced mushrooms. These vegetables will cook in the leftover oil and chicken juices, which adds to the flavor. Sauté them for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften. The mushrooms should release their moisture and become tender.
At this stage, it’s important not to overcrowd the pan. If needed, sauté the vegetables in batches to allow them to cook evenly and brown slightly.
Making the Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Once the vegetables are cooked, add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for another minute until fragrant. This step enhances the flavor of the sauce with the aromatic essence of garlic.
Next, pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Allow it to cook for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly, concentrating the flavors. This step ensures the broth infuses the mushrooms and asparagus, creating a rich base for the creamy sauce.
After the broth has simmered, reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Continue to cook the sauce, stirring occasionally, for about 3-4 minutes until it thickens to your desired consistency. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up. This will help the sauce adhere to the pasta better.
Bringing it All Together
Once the sauce has thickened, return the cooked chicken to the skillet and add the penne pasta. Toss everything together, ensuring the chicken and pasta are well coated in the creamy sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, you can add more pasta water a little at a time until it reaches the perfect creamy consistency.
Serve the creamy chicken penne with a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley, which adds a pop of color and a burst of freshness to the dish.
Garnishing and Serving
To add a bit more flavor and texture, you can garnish the dish with extra Parmesan cheese, freshly cracked black pepper, or even crispy bacon bits if you like. Serve the dish immediately while it’s hot, and enjoy this comforting, flavorful meal with your loved ones.
FAQs
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Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?
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Absolutely! While penne pasta is the traditional choice, you can substitute it with other pasta shapes like rigatoni, fettuccine, or farfalle. The key is to use pasta with enough surface area to hold the creamy sauce. For gluten-free options, rice pasta or corn-based pasta work well too.
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Can I make this dish ahead of time?
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Yes, you can prepare the components of this dish ahead of time. Cook the chicken, pasta, and sauce separately, then combine them when you’re ready to serve. The dish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, simply warm it gently in a pan, adding a splash of pasta water to restore the sauce’s creamy texture.
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Is it possible to make the creamy mushroom sauce without heavy cream?
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If you’re looking for a lighter version, you can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, milk, or even Greek yogurt for a tangy twist. Keep in mind that these alternatives will alter the flavor and texture slightly, but they can still create a delicious sauce.
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Can I freeze the chicken penne with creamy mushroom sauce?
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Yes, this dish can be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, place the cooked and combined dish in an airtight container. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop, adding a bit of reserved pasta water to restore the sauce’s consistency.
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How can I make the recipe more kid-friendly?
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To make this dish more appealing to children, you can reduce the garlic or omit the asparagus and mushrooms if they’re not favorites. You can also try adding a bit more cheese to the sauce to make it extra creamy and indulgent. For a more colorful plate, try adding some carrots or peas to the mix.
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The Best Chicken Penne Recipe with Creamy Mushroom Sauce
This chicken penne with creamy mushroom sauce is a deliciously rich, yet simple dish that combines juicy chicken, tender vegetables, and perfectly cooked penne pasta in a smooth and velvety sauce. The mushrooms, asparagus, and garlic bring savory depth, while the Parmesan cheese and heavy cream create a luscious texture that coats every bite. Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner or a comforting meal to enjoy with family, this recipe is sure to be a hit!
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup asparagus, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Cook the penne pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside, reserving a bit of pasta water for later if needed.
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then add it to the skillet. Cook for about 6-7 minutes until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the chopped asparagus and sliced mushrooms. Cook for 4-5 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for about 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and add the cooked penne pasta. Toss everything together until well combined. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency.
Serve the creamy mushroom and asparagus chicken penne with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
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Make sure to cook the chicken until golden brown on the outside but still juicy on the inside. This will help the chicken retain moisture and prevent it from becoming dry when added to the creamy sauce.
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Don’t skip reserving some pasta water. The starchy water can be used to adjust the consistency of the sauce, ensuring that it clings to the pasta without becoming too thick or too thin.
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Experiment with different vegetables. If you’re not a fan of asparagus, you can substitute it with spinach, broccoli, or even zucchini for a similar texture and added nutrition.
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This dish is easy to customize. If you prefer a bit of heat, feel free to add red pepper flakes or chili powder to the sauce for a spicy kick.
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For a richer, more indulgent flavor, add some crispy bacon bits or a touch of truffle oil as a garnish. This can elevate the dish, making it even more special for a weekend meal or special occasion.
