Go Back
Creamy Crac Chicken Penne dish served in a cozy setting

Cracked Chicken Penne

A creamy chicken pasta dish featuring tender chicken breast in a luscious sauce made from heavy cream and Parmesan, perfect for cozy weeknight dinners.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 620
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 2 pieces Chicken Breast (Boneless and skinless) Look for fresh, high-quality chicken for the best flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Basil
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
For the Pasta and Sauce
  • 12 oz Penne Pasta Penne is perfect for catching the creamy sauce.
  • 2 tablespoons Butter
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream Use heavy cream for a richer sauce; milk can be subbed for a lighter version.
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese Freshly grated Parmesan will melt better.
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley (For garnish)

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving a little pasta water for later.
Preparing the Chicken
  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, and basil.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and let it heat. Cook the seasoned chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side or until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove from skillet and let rest.
Making the Creamy Sauce
  1. In the same skillet, add the butter and let it melt. Pour in the heavy cream and stir until smooth. Mix in the Parmesan cheese until it melts and the sauce is creamy.
Combining Everything
  1. Shred or slice the cooled chicken into bite-sized pieces. Add the cooked pasta and chicken to the sauce, tossing everything gently together. Adjust the sauce's consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
Serving
  1. Transfer to plates, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and enjoy this creamy comfort dish warm.

Notes

For an easy meal prep option, cook the chicken and sauce ahead of time, then store separately in the fridge. When ready to serve, simply reheat, add pasta, and enjoy. You can also freeze the sauce for up to 3 months; just defrost and reheat when you’re ready to use.