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One-Pot & Pastas

Chicken Pasta

★★★★★ 4.9 (72 Kitchen Reviews)

4. Make-Ahead, Storage & Serving Ideas

Welcome to Part 4 of 4 of my kitchen guide for Chicken Pasta. Whether you are meal-prepping for the week ahead or saving leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch, here is how to keep every bite fresh.

Chicken Pasta — Plating, Storage & Final Recipe Card (Page 4)
Ready to Serve: Chicken Pasta · By Chef Elena Rossi (@recipestokitchen)
📌 Pin Recipe

How to Store, Freeze & Reheat

This chicken pasta is wonderful served straight from the skillet, but it also shines as leftovers. Pair it with a crisp green salad and some crusty bread for a complete meal. For a casual get-together, set out extra Parmesan and red pepper flakes so everyone can customize their bowl.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or milk to loosen the sauce—microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between, or warm gently on the stovetop. I don’t recommend freezing this one, as the creamy sauce can separate, but it’s so good it rarely lasts that long anyway!

👩🍳 Before You Start Cooking

  • Save this 4-page recipe guide to your Pinterest board (@recipestokitchen) so you can find it anytime.
  • Use the interactive checkboxes in the Recipe Card below as you measure out your ingredients.
  • Click 🖨 Print Recipe if you like keeping a clean paper copy on your kitchen counter!
Chicken Pasta
👩🍳 RECIPESTO KITCHEN · OFFICIAL TESTED RECIPE CARD

Chicken Pasta

This creamy, garlicky chicken pasta is pure comfort in a bowl—tender chicken and al dente penne are tossed in a rich parmesan sauce with a hint of lemon and fresh herbs. It's a one-pot wonder that comes together quickly, making it a go-to for busy weeknights or casual get-togethers.

📌 Pin Recipe to Board★★★★★ 4.9 from Kitchen Testers
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time25 mins
Total Time35 mins
Servings4 servings
CourseMain Course
Calories520 kcal

🛒 Ingredients (Check Off As You Measure)

🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Cook penne according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until golden and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer for 2 minutes.
  4. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Whisk in Parmesan and lemon zest until the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Add the cooked penne and chicken back to the skillet. Toss to coat, adding a splash of pasta water if the sauce is too thick. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

👩🍳 Chef Elena’s Kitchen Notes & Storage

For extra flavor, try using chicken thighs—they stay juicier. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of milk or broth to bring the sauce back to life.

Pinterest Kitchen Tip: Save this recipe to your @recipestokitchen board so you can pull up the ingredient checklist at the grocery store!

Estimated Nutrition (Per Serving):
Calories: 520 kcalProtein: 38gCarbs: 52gFat: 18gFiber: 5g
Chef Elena Rossi
Recipe Developed & Tested By

Chef Elena Rossi

Ciao, I'm Elena! Trained in Florence and based in Chicago, I founded RecipesTo Kitchen (and our @recipestokitchen Pinterest community of 296,580+ monthly home cooks) to share foolproof weeknight dinners, cozy one-pot pastas, and bakery-style desserts that work on the very first try.