Creamy Chicken and Prosciutto Penne with Peas and Parmesan

This creamy penne pasta dish brings together tender chicken, crispy prosciutto and sweet peas in a luscious Parmesan cream sauce. Inspired by the flavors of Palermo, it’s a hearty and satisfying meal that feels special enough for a dinner party but is simple enough for a weeknight.

With al dente penne, a hint of lemon and a sprinkle of chili flakes, every bite is a perfect balance of savory, salty and bright notes. Top it all off with freshly grated Parmesan and crispy prosciutto crumbles for an irresistible finish.

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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

0.25 cup 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 the 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 the 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 needed). 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. Heat 2 tablespoons butter (4 tablespoons for 4 servings) in the same pan over medium-high heat. Add garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add cream sauce base, cream cheese, a big pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes. Add drained penne and peas. Cook, stirring, until peas are warmed through and sauce has slightly thickened, 1-2 minutes more. 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 (or crumble half and leave larger pieces for garnish). Sprinkle with lemon zest, Parmesan, remaining parsley and a pinch of chili flakes to taste. Serve with remaining lemon wedges on the side.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use a different pasta shape?

Yes, any short pasta like fusilli or rigatoni works well. Adjust cooking time according to package directions.

Can I substitute the cream sauce base?

You can use heavy cream mixed with a little chicken broth and a pinch of nutmeg as a substitute.

How do I make this dish gluten-free?

Use gluten-free penne pasta and ensure your cream sauce base and other ingredients are gluten-free.