Tender penne with roasted chicken and silky garlic cream sauce. Rich, aromatic, and deeply satisfying Italian-American comfort.
# What You Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (14 oz)
→ Pasta
02 - 12 oz 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 - 1⅔ cups whole milk
08 - ½ cup heavy cream
09 - 2 oz grated Parmesan cheese
10 - ½ teaspoon salt
11 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12 - ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
→ Garnish
13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
14 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese for serving
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Slice the top off the garlic head to expose the cloves. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil and wrap tightly in aluminum foil. Roast for 30 minutes until cloves are 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, until juices run clear and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
04 - Cook penne in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain in colander and set aside, reserving ½ cup pasta water.
05 - Squeeze roasted garlic cloves from their skins into a small bowl and mash to a smooth paste.
06 - In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually whisk in milk and heavy cream, stirring continuously until sauce thickens, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
07 - Stir mashed roasted garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes into the sauce. Cook for 1 minute until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth and cohesive.
08 - Add sliced chicken and cooked penne to the sauce. Toss gently to coat evenly, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.
09 - Divide among serving bowls or plates immediately. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese.
