Penne Gorgonzola with Chicken

We’ve never met a pasta we didn’t like, and this recipe for penne Gorgonzola with chicken is so good that you might as well double it. It’s a 30-minute pasta recipe that quickly became a go-to in my family’s recipe rotation. It has everything I’m looking for in a meal. It’s hearty and filling thanks to tender, protein-packed chicken; it’s easy to make; and it’s quick to clean up since you only need two pans. Plus, the rich sauce that coats the pasta is perfectly cheesy and totally comforting.

Even if you’re not a fan of blue cheese, give this pasta a shot. The garlic, cream, sage and white wine in the sauce temper the pungent flavor of the Gorgonzola, so its presence is much subtler compared to other recipes with blue cheese. The result is a wonderfully rich and indulgent pan of the creamiest pasta you’ll ever make at home. Move over fettuccine Alfredo, this penne Gorgonzola with chicken may have just taken over as the best creamy pasta recipe in the kitchen.

Ingredients for Penne Gorgonzola with Chicken

• Penne pasta: Penne rigate is an excellent pasta shape to use anytime you have a rich sauce. Its ridges and tubular shape allow plenty of the cheesy sauce to make its way into each bite.
• Chicken: Lean, juicy chicken breasts cook quickly in a skillet before the sauce is added. As a shortcut, use leftover grilled chicken or even chopped rotisserie chicken.
• Olive oil: Olive oil is used to brown the chicken and saute the garlic until it’s fragrant.
• Garlic: Minced fresh garlic adds aromatic flavor to this dish. If you love garlic, add an extra clove or two.
• White wine: This recipe is a great way to finish a bottle of wine that’s been sitting in the fridge. You can use wine in recipes to deglaze the pan and bring acidity to balance the richness of the creamy sauce.
• Heavy cream: Heavy cream makes the sauce irresistibly thick and divinely rich. You can use half-and-half cream, but the sauce will be lighter and not be as decadent.
• Chicken broth: Chicken broth thins the sauce while incorporating savory chicken flavor.
• Gorgonzola cheese: Gorgonzola has a wonderfully tangy flavor that is a little bit salty, sweet and earthy. For the best taste, splurge on a high-quality Gorgonzola cheese that will melt smoothly into the sauce.
• Sage: This fragrant herb often accompanies Gorgonzola and poultry. In this penne Gorgonzola with chicken, the strong, peppery bite is an excellent contrast to the creamy sauce and offers balance to the tang of the cheese.
• Salt and pepper: The garlic, sage and Gorgonzola bring so much flavor to this dish, you won’t need any other seasoning beyond a dash of salt and pepper to complete this quick and easy pasta recipe.
• Garnish: A final shower of freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley dress up each serving of penne chicken Gorgonzola with added color and cheesy goodness.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the pasta and chicken

Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and brown the chicken on all sides.

Editor’s Tip: You will eventually add the cooked pasta to this skillet, so choose one that’s large enough to toss everything together at the end.

Step 2: Make the sauce

Next, add the garlic and cook for one minute longer until it’s fragrant. Add the wine, stirring to loosen browned bits from the pan. Add the cream and broth, and cook until the sauce is slightly thickened and the chicken is no longer pink. Stir in the Gorgonzola cheese, sage, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the cheese is fully melted.

Editor’s Tip: The brown bits, called fond, add a ton of flavor to any sauce, stew or dish. Any liquid helps loosen them from the pan and incorporates them into the sauce.

Step 3: Combine and serve

Drain the pasta and toss it with the sauce. Sprinkle the dish with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and parsley.

Editor’s Tip: If the pasta appears too thick, add a splash of additional cream of chicken broth. You could also add a splash of pasta water if you reserved it.

Penne Gorgonzola with Chicken Variations

• Try a different cheese: While penne Gorgonzola with chicken won’t taste the same without Gorgonzola, the base for this cheesy sauce will still work with other types of cheese. Goat cheese or Stilton offer a similar tang. If you want a less pungent flavor, try fontina, Emmenthaler or Gruyere.
• Eat your veggies: If you want to pack some nutritious vegetables into this pasta, add a few handfuls of chopped spinach or kale. Other great additions include sliced cremini or portobello mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, asparagus or roasted peppers.
• Add nuts: Gorgonzola and walnuts are a match made in heaven. Garnish each serving with a handful of toasted chopped walnuts for added flavor, texture and crunch.
• Use another protein: Chicken isn’t the only protein that tastes great covered in Gorgonzola. Use grilled salmon, peppercorn steak, shrimp or pork tenderloin instead.
• Omit the wine: If you prefer to cook without alcohol, use chicken broth or a non-alcoholic wine to deglaze the pan.

How to Store Penne Gorgonzola with Chicken

Chicken penne Gorgonzola should be stored in an airtight food storage container and refrigerated until you’re ready to enjoy it. Due to the dairy content in the pasta sauce, we don’t recommend freezing it. When properly stored, penne Gorgonzola with chicken will last up to four days in the refrigerator.

How should you reheat penne Gorgonzola with chicken?

Low and slow is the best way to reheat pasta, particularly those with creamy sauces. My preferred method is to add the pasta to a skillet on the stovetop with a splash of water, milk or chicken stock. Cover the skillet with a lid and warm the pasta over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s heated through. If you want to microwave the pasta, do so at 50 percent power in one-minute increments, stirring after each, until it’s hot.

Penne Gorgonzola with Chicken Tips

Is crumbled or block cheese better for penne Gorgonzola with chicken?

While crumbled Gorgonzola cheese can work in this chicken and Gorgonzola pasta, it often has a lower moisture content than Gorgonzola sold as a whole block. The lower moisture content can cause the crumbles not to melt as smoothly if you crumble or grate your cheese. If possible, source and purchase a small block of Gorgonzola for the best results.

What can you serve with penne Gorgonzola with chicken?

This flavorful Italian recipe pairs well with a fresh garden salad or a grilled vegetable platter. To help soak up the yummy sauce, serve Gorgonzola pasta with chicken with a basket of crusty focaccia bread, a batch of homemade garlic bread or these tasty copycat Olive Garden breadsticks.