Raise your hand if you need a quick and easy weeknight meal?
…***raises hand.
This easy chicken alfredo with penne pasta and alfredo sauce fits that bill. Sometimes I just want a quick and easy meal that isn’t take-out and still tastes delicious.
Again, this one fits that bill too. It’s so easy that the kiddos can even help with this one. My little one, Nanette, loves helping me salt the pasta water, then she loves adding the pasta to the water.
I will admit, with this easy chicken alfredo we are cheating a little bit….GASP! I know. I know. But when you need something quick and want something homemade sometimes we just buy jarred alfredo sauce. ***Gasp! Ha! But, it is still oh so good.
What’s even better is it doesn’t even matter what brand you use. Since we are budget friendly around these parts, we just buy whatever jarred alfredo sauce is on sale. Tastes great and easy to throw together on a busy weeknight like we did with this easy chicken alfredo.
Last week was rough. Everyone in the house caught what was going around so I whipped this up in less than 20 minutes, and we had ourselves a home cooked meal that satisfied all the tummies in the house.
INGREDIENTS USED TO MAKE EASY CHICKEN ALFREDO WITH PENNE PASTA AND ALFREDO SAUCE
- 3 large chicken breasts seasoned with salt and pepper
- Olive oil
- 1 (22oz) jar of your favorite alfredo sauce
- 1lb penne pasta, cooked according to package directions
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese, optional
That’s it! See how easy this penne pasta recipes with chicken and alfredo sauce is. Simple ingredients, fast prep, delicious meal.
HOW TO MAKE PENNE PASTA WITH ALFREDO SAUCE AND CHICKEN SAUCE
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Set aside.
- Season chicken breast with salt and pepper. Heat oil in skillet (or dutch oven) over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5-8 minutes on each side, or until chicken is cooked through. Set aside.
- Add jarred alfredo sauce to the pan. Reduce heat to low and simmer until heated through, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, cut the chicken into cubes or strips.
- Add cooked pasta and chicken to sauce in pan. Mix well until all pasta and chicken is smothered in alfredo sauce. Serve with parmesan cheese, if desired.
Mmmmmm.
Easy chicken alfredo hits the spot.
Explanation of the Dish Name
Chicken Alfredo with Penne Pasta and Alfredo Sauce is a classic Italian-American dish that combines the rich creaminess of Alfredo sauce with tender pieces of chicken and penne pasta. The dish gets its name from “Alfredo sauce,” which traditionally includes butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, creating a smooth, luscious coating for the pasta. Adding chicken makes the dish heartier and more flavorful, while penne pasta, with its tube shape, is perfect for capturing the sauce.
Perfect Side Dishes
To balance out the richness of the Alfredo sauce, consider serving these side dishes:
- Garlic Bread: The crunchy, buttery garlic bread makes a perfect companion.
- Caesar Salad: A fresh, crisp salad with a tangy Caesar dressing complements the creamy pasta.
- Roasted Vegetables: Roasted broccoli, asparagus, or zucchini add some green freshness to your plate.
Tips for Quicker Preparation
- Use Pre-cooked Chicken: To save time, you can use rotisserie or leftover chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces. This way, you’ll only need to warm it up in the sauce.
- Pre-made Alfredo Sauce: If you're in a rush, opt for a high-quality store-bought Alfredo sauce and add a little extra Parmesan and cream to elevate the flavor.
- Cook Pasta While Prepping Chicken: Multi-task by cooking the penne while preparing the chicken and sauce. This helps streamline the process.
- Frozen Garlic Cubes: For added convenience, use frozen garlic cubes to avoid peeling and chopping garlic by hand.
QUICK COOKING RECIPE
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20 minutes
- Inactive Time: 5 minutes (for resting)
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Author: Jen Sharpin | So Damn Delish
Yield: 6-8 servings
This easy chicken alfredo with penne pasta and alfredo sauce is so simple to make and a great meal for those busy weeknights!
INGREDIENTS
- 3 large chicken breasts
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 (22oz) jar of your favorite alfredo sauce
- 1lb penne pasta, cooked and drained
- Salt and pepper. to taste
- Freshly grated parmesan, optional
INSTRUCTIONS
- Season chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- In a large skillet or dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook chicken breasts 5-8 min each side, or until chicken is cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Turn heat to medium-low. Add alfredo sauce to skillet. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes, or until sauce is heated through.
- Meanwhile, cut the chicken breasts into strips. Once alfredo sauce is heated through add cooked pasta and chicken to skillet/dutch oven. Stir to combine. Top with fresh parsley and parmesan, if desired. Serve.
NOTES
- If you cannot find a 22oz jar using 2 (14oz) jars is just fine.
- Looking for more fantastic recipes and cooking tips? Head over to So Damn Delish for a treasure trove of easy, budget-friendly, and mouth watering dishes. My blog is your go-to source for delicious recipes that make everyday meals special.
Nutrient Facts Per Serving
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
For more mouthwatering and simple recipes that will delight your taste buds, visit So Damn Delish. Dive into a world of exciting dishes and find your next favorite recipe. Let me show you how to make every meal effortless and delicious!
Print
Easy Chicken Alfredo with Penne Pasta and Alfredo Sauce: A Quick and Creamy Meal
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Inactive Time: 5 minutes (for resting)
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dishes / Entrees
Description
This easy chicken alfredo with penne pasta and alfredo sauce is so simple to make and a great meal for those busy weeknights! Let's cook with So Damn Delish.
Ingredients
- 3 large chicken breasts
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 (22oz) jar of your favorite alfredo sauce
- 1lb penne pasta, cooked and drained
- Salt and pepper. to taste
- Freshly grated parmesan, optional
Instructions
- Season chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- In a large skillet or dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook chicken breasts 5-8 min each side, or until chicken is cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Turn heat to medium-low. Add alfredo sauce to skillet. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes, or until sauce is heated through.
- Meanwhile, cut the chicken breasts into strips. Once alfredo sauce is heated through add cooked pasta and chicken to skillet/dutch oven. Stir to combine. Top with fresh parsley and parmesan, if desired. Serve.
Notes
- If you cannot find a 22oz jar using 2 (14oz) jars is just fine.
- Looking for more fantastic recipes and cooking tips? Head over to So Damn Delish for a treasure trove of easy, budget-friendly, and mouth watering dishes. My blog is your go-to source for delicious recipes that make everyday meals special.
Nutrition
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
