Roasted Garlic Chicken Penne (Printable)

Tender penne with roasted chicken in a rich, aromatic garlic cream sauce

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 14 ounces)

→ Pasta

02 - 12 ounces penne pasta

→ Roasted Garlic

03 - 1 large head garlic
04 - 1 teaspoon olive oil

→ Cream Sauce

05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
06 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
07 - 1 2/3 cups whole milk
08 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
09 - 2 ounces grated Parmesan cheese
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
14 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese for serving

# How-To:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Slice the top off the head of garlic to expose the cloves. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil and wrap in foil. Roast for 30 minutes until soft and golden.
03 - Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and roast alongside garlic for 22 to 25 minutes, or until juices run clear and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest, then slice thinly.
04 - Cook penne in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
05 - Squeeze roasted garlic cloves from their skins and mash to a paste.
06 - In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute.
07 - Gradually whisk in milk and cream, stirring constantly until thickened, about 3 to 4 minutes.
08 - Stir in mashed roasted garlic, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
09 - Add sliced chicken and cooked penne to the sauce. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed for desired consistency. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The roasted garlic melts into the cream sauce creating something velvety and mellow
  • Everything comes together in one pan while the oven handles the heavy lifting
  • This is the kind of dinner that makes people ask whats cooking
02 -
  • Do not rush the garlic roasting step, that sweet mellow flavor is what makes this special
  • The pasta water is your insurance policy if the sauce gets too thick
  • Slice the chicken against the grain for more tender pieces
03 -
  • Roast an extra head of garlic and spread it on toast while you cook
  • Let the sauce rest off the heat for a minute before serving to let flavors meld
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