Italian AmericanMedium · Hot
Creamy Tomato Penne with Chicken
A splash of heavy cream stirred into tomato sauce softens the acidity into something velvety and mild that kids will eat without a single complaint. Sliced chicken breast nestles into the sauce while the penne finishes cooking, so everything comes together in one pan and the pasta absorbs the flavor rather than just wearing it. A few torn basil leaves at the end make it feel a little special.
Prep
10 min
Cook
25 min
Rest
5 min
Total
40 min
Method
Prepare the Chicken
1
Use a meat thermometer to verify internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Make the Creamy Tomato Sauce
2
Continue heating until sauce reaches a full boil (212°F/100°C) or at minimum 180°F to ensure dairy components are safely heated.
Cook the Pasta
3
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
Combine and Serve
4
Serve topped with remaining cheddar cheese, fresh basil leaves, and chopped parsley.
C
Nutri-Score
Fair balance
A–E · lower is better · score 3
Calories
942
per serving
High in protein · 61gLow sugar · 12g
Protein
61g
Carbs
85g
Fat
39g
Sat. fat
18g
Fiber
6g
Sugar
12g
Sodium
1829mg
High CalorieHigh Protein
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
D
Environmental impact
High impact
A–E · lower is better · includes estimates
kg CO2e
2.6
per serving
DCarbonAEU all-round· carbon sets the grade
Water
0.8m³
Land
92Pt
Runoff
0.3g P
Chicken Breast drives 48% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
7
Umami
4
Sweet
5
Salty
3
Sour
1
Bitter
2
Spicy
Textures
TenderCreamyChewy
Aromas
HerbalButterySavoryTangy
Kitchen Equipment
Primary Tool
Frying PanCounter FootprintMedium
Techniques
Safety & Storage
Cooking Temperature
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Cross Contamination
Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw chicken. Wash hands thoroughly after handling raw poultry before touching other ingredients.
Storage
Store leftovers in airtight containers in refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking. Consume within 3-4 days.
High Risk Population
Supervised cooking required given medium difficulty. Keep children away from boiling pasta water and hot surfaces.
Allergen Warning
This dish contains milk, wheat, and gluten. Not suitable for individuals with dairy intolerance, wheat allergy, or celiac disease.
Sodium Warning
This recipe contains approximately 2,650mg total sodium (550mg per serving × 4 servings plus 2tsp salt in pasta water). Individuals on sodium-restricted diets should modify accordingly.
Pro Tips
Technique
Season your chicken generously and let it rest before slicing—this step is where most of the flavor lives, and it keeps the meat juicy rather than dry.
Substitution
Out of heavy cream? Stir in a few tablespoons of cream cheese instead for that same velvety richness without altering the sauce consistency.
Make Ahead
Make the sauce ahead and refrigerate it—the flavors actually improve overnight, so you just need to cook pasta and heat everything together when called to the table.
From the chef
The trick in this pasta is one simple swap: a splash of heavy cream stirred into tomato sauce softens the acidity into something velvety and mild that goes down without argument. Sliced chicken breast finishes right in the sauce while the penne cooks, so the pasta absorbs the flavor instead of just sitting in it. The cheddar melts into the sauce and the basil at the end makes it feel a little less Tuesday. One pan, one pot, real dinner.
TagsFamily FriendlyComfort FoodWeeknight DinnerCreamy PastaCheesy
AllergensMilkWheatGlutenDairy
Source: generated · May 30, 2026