Tender penne with roasted chicken in a silky garlic cream sauce. Rich, aromatic, and deeply satisfying.
# What You'll 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 - 1 2/3 cups whole milk
08 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
09 - 2 oz grated Parmesan cheese
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Garnish
13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
14 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese for serving
# How to Make It:
01 - Set oven temperature to 400°F.
02 - Slice the top off the head of garlic to expose the cloves. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil and wrap tightly in aluminum foil.
03 - Place wrapped garlic in the oven and roast for 30 minutes until cloves are soft and golden brown.
04 - While garlic roasts, season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Arrange on a baking sheet and place in the oven alongside garlic for 22 to 25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
05 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain pasta in a colander and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
06 - Squeeze the softened roasted garlic cloves from their skins into a small bowl and mash with a fork until it reaches a paste consistency.
07 - Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk and heavy cream while whisking continuously until the mixture thickens, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
08 - Stir the mashed roasted garlic paste, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes into the cream sauce. Cook until cheese is fully melted and sauce reaches a smooth consistency.
09 - Add sliced chicken and cooked penne to the sauce. Toss thoroughly to coat all pasta, adding reserved pasta water in small amounts if needed to reach desired consistency.
10 - Transfer to serving plates immediately. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese.
