Creamy Prosciutto and Chicken Penne with Peas and Parmesan

This creamy prosciutto and chicken penne brings together crispy prosciutto, tender chicken, and sweet peas in a luscious Parmesan sauce. Inspired by the flavors of Palermo, this dish is a comforting yet elegant meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Al dente penne is tossed in a rich cream sauce, then topped with golden chicken, crunchy prosciutto, and a sprinkle of lemon zest, parsley, and chili flakes. It’s a restaurant-quality dinner you can easily make at home.

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Ingredients

1 clove GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 ounce ParsleyView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LemonView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

6 ounce Penne PastaView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 ounce ProsciuttoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Chicken CutletsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Fry SeasoningView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 ounce Cream Sauce BaseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon Cream CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 ounce PeasView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Chili FlakesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

3 tablespoon Parmesan CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry produce. Peel and mince or grate garlic. Pick parsley leaves from stems; roughly chop leaves. Zest and quarter lemon.
2. Once water is boiling, add penne to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 9-11 minutes. Reserve ½ cup pasta cooking water, then drain.
3. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add prosciutto slices in a single layer; sear until browned and crispy, 2-3 minutes per side. If prosciutto starts to crisp too quickly, reduce heat to medium. Turn off heat; transfer prosciutto to a paper-towel-lined plate. Reserve oil in pan.
4. Pat chicken dry with paper towels and season all over with half the Fry Seasoning (all for 4 servings), salt, and pepper. Heat pan with reserved oil over medium-high heat. Add an additional drizzle of oil if pan seems dry. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, 3-5 minutes per side. Turn off heat; transfer chicken to a cutting board to rest. Wipe out pan.
5. Melt 2 TBSP butter (4 TBSP for 4 servings) in pan used for chicken over medium-high heat. Add garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add cream sauce base, cream cheese, a big pinch of salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring, until combined, 2-3 minutes more. Add drained penne and peas. Cook, stirring, until peas are warmed through and sauce has thickened slightly, 1-2 minutes. If needed, stir in reserved pasta cooking water a splash at a time until pasta is coated in a creamy sauce. Stir in half the parsley, a big squeeze of lemon juice, and a pinch of chili flakes if desired.
6. Slice chicken crosswise. Divide pasta between bowls. Top with chicken. Crumble prosciutto over top. Crumble half the prosciutto over top and garnish with the remaining larger pieces. Sprinkle with lemon zest, Parmesan, remaining parsley, and a pinch of chili flakes to taste. Serve with any remaining lemon wedges on the side. Chicken is fully cooked when internal temperature reaches 165°.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different pasta shape?

Yes, any short pasta like fusilli or rigatoni works well.

Can I substitute the cream sauce base?

You can use heavy cream mixed with a little chicken broth as a substitute.

How do I store leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave.