Description
Spicy Marry Me Chicken Penne combines tender golden chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich velvet cream sauce infused with fiery red chili flakes. This bold, restaurant-quality meal perfectly balances the richness of heavy cream with the sharp, acidic bite of parmesan cheese. By finishing the pasta directly in the sauce, every strand is coated in a cohesive, flavorful garlic and chili-infused masterpiece, making it an ideal choice for a sophisticated yet accessible weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs Chicken Breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
12 oz Penne Pasta
4 cloves Garlic, minced finely
1.5 tsp Crushed Red Pepper
1.5 cups Heavy Cream
3/4 cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
1/4 cup Fresh Basil, chiffonade
2 tbsp Olive oil
Salt and Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the penne until just shy of al dente.
Reserve one cup of pasta water before draining the noodles completely.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Sear the chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through.
Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper to the skillet during the final minute of frying.
Pour the heavy cream into the skillet while scraping the bottom to collect browned bits.
Reduce heat to low and stir until the cream begins to thicken slightly.
Add the parmesan cheese and stir continuously until the sauce becomes smooth.
Toss the cooked penne into the skillet with the cream mixture, adding reserved pasta water if needed to adjust consistency.
Notes
Use bronze-cut pasta for better sauce adhesion. Ensure heavy cream is at room temperature before adding to the hot pan to prevent curdling. Adjust crushed red pepper quantity to control heat levels according to preference.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Trending
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
