Penne with Chicken Tomato Sauce

Indulge in the comforting flavors of Penne with Chicken Tomato Sauce—a hearty Italian-inspired dish that's perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. This recipe combines tender penne pasta with juicy, seasoned chicken breast and a rich tomato-based sauce infused with garlic, onion, and aromatic herbs like oregano and basil. A touch of heavy cream adds a luscious, velvety texture, while a sprinkle of parmesan and fresh basil leaves elevates the dish with a burst of freshness. With just 45 minutes from start to finish and simple pantry staples like crushed tomatoes and tomato paste, this recipe is both easy to prepare and packed with robust flavor. Serve it piping hot, and watch it become a family favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 pieces chicken breast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon pepper
• 1 medium onion
• 3 cloves garlic cloves
• 400 grams crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.25 teaspoon red chili flakes
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 100 milliliters heavy cream
• 50 grams parmesan cheese
• 5 leaves fresh basil
• 1 liter water

Directions

Step 1

Bring 1 liter of water to a boil in a large pot. Add a pinch of salt and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 3

Season the chicken breasts with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Add them to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until fully cooked. Remove from skillet and set aside to rest. Once cooled slightly, dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, red chili flakes, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and sugar. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to thicken and develop flavor.

Step 6

Add the diced chicken back into the skillet, stirring to coat it in the sauce. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes.

Step 7

Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream, mixing until the sauce is creamy and well combined. Simmer for 2-3 more minutes.

Step 8

Add the cooked penne to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Step 9

Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle the dish with grated parmesan cheese and freshly torn basil leaves.

Step 10

Serve immediately, garnished with extra parmesan and basil if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2438.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2767.8

Total Fat 92.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 35.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.8g
Cholesterol 350.9mg	0%
Sodium 3592.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 342.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 23.8g	0%
Total Sugars 27.0g
Protein 140.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 688.8mg	0%
Iron 20.2mg	0%
Potassium 2961.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.2%

Protein: 20.4%

Carbs: 49.5%