Family-Favorite Parmesan Garlic Chicken One-Pan Chicken Loaded with Penne

This Parmesan Garlic Chicken with Penne is the ultimate comforting one-pan dinner—creamy, cheesy, garlicky, and packed with tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta. It’s an easy family-friendly meal that comes together with minimal cleanup and plenty of flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 12 oz penne pasta
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tbsp butter
• ½ cup chopped parsley
• Optional: red pepper flakes for a little heat

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken
Cut the chicken into evenly sized bite-size pieces so they cook quickly and evenly. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then season it with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.

2. Brown the chicken
Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken in a single layer. Cook for about 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown on the outside and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.

3. Sauté the garlic
Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter to the same pan. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30–60 seconds, stirring constantly. Be careful not to let the garlic burn.

4. Add the pasta
Pour the chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet. Stir well, scraping up the flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the uncooked penne and stir to make sure the pasta is mostly submerged in the liquid.

5. Cook everything together
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cover the skillet and cook for approximately 10–12 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent the pasta from sticking. Continue cooking until the penne is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.

6. Add the Parmesan
Lower the heat and stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until it melts into the sauce and creates a rich, creamy coating around the pasta.

7. Return the chicken
Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet and stir everything together. Let it simmer gently for another 2–3 minutes so the chicken warms through and absorbs some of the creamy garlic-Parmesan sauce.

8. Add mozzarella
Sprinkle mozzarella over the top. Cover the pan for a couple of minutes, allowing the cheese to melt into a gooey, delicious layer.

9. Finish and garnish
Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley. For extra flavor, add a light sprinkle of red pepper flakes if your family enjoys a little spice.

10. Serve immediately
Spoon the creamy Parmesan garlic chicken and penne onto plates while hot. Serve with a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, or warm garlic bread for a complete family dinner.

Helpful Tip: Use freshly grated Parmesan when possible because it melts more smoothly into the sauce. If the sauce becomes thicker than you prefer, stir in a small splash of warm chicken broth or cream before serving.

Why You’ll Love It: One pan, simple ingredients, tender seasoned chicken, creamy garlic-Parmesan sauce, and hearty penne make this an easy 30-minute comfort-food dinner that the whole family will want again and again.