Creamy Chicken Penne Di Vinci
Indulge your taste buds with this decadent Creamy Chicken Penne Di Vinci, inspired by the beloved flavors of The Cheesecake Factory. This dish features tender penne pasta generously coated in a rich, creamy sauce with sautéed chicken, mushrooms, and vibrant red onions. Enhanced by the subtle sweetness of Madeira wine and finished with freshly chopped parsley, it's a comforting meal that's perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese to elevate every bite!
N/A
Servings
300
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
penne pasta
1 lb (cooked according to package instructions)
red onion
1/2 (chopped)
mushrooms
1 cup (quartered)
garlic
2 teaspoons (chopped)
chicken breast
1 lb (cut into bite-size pieces)
butter
6 tablespoons (divided)
flour
2 tablespoons (for roux)
salt
2 teaspoons
Madeira wine
1/4 cup
water
1 cup
heavy cream
4 tablespoons
fresh parsley
1 tablespoon (chopped)
Parmesan cheese
to taste (for serving)
Instructions
1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2
In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add chopped red onions, quartered mushrooms, and garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and fragrant. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
3
In the same skillet, add the bite-sized pieces of chicken breast and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink in the center. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pan and set aside with the sautéed vegetables.
4
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to low-medium and add 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, sprinkle the flour over the butter and whisk to create a roux, cooking for 1-2 minutes.
5
Slowly pour in the Madeira wine, followed by the water and heavy cream. Whisk continuously until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
6
Stir in the chopped fresh parsley and let the sauce simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes.
7
Return the cooked chicken, sautéed onions, mushrooms, and garlic back into the sauce. Combine thoroughly and let it simmer for another 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
8
Toss the cooked penne pasta in the sauce until well coated. Serve hot, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and an extra sprinkle of parsley if desired.
Nutrition Information
12.5g
Fat
35g
Carbs
20g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Chicken Penne Di Vinci?
Creamy Chicken Penne Di Vinci is a decadent pasta dish inspired by The Cheesecake Factory, featuring penne pasta, sauteed chicken, mushrooms, and red onions in a rich Madeira wine cream sauce.
Is this recipe a copycat of a restaurant dish?
Yes, this recipe is specifically designed as a Cheesecake Factory copycat, recreating their signature flavors at home.
What type of pasta is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of penne pasta, cooked until al dente.
How many calories are in a serving of this pasta?
There are approximately 300 calories per serving of this dish.
What is the fat content for this recipe?
Each serving contains about 12.5g of fat.
How much protein is in the Creamy Chicken Penne Di Vinci?
This dish provides 20g of protein per serving.
What are the primary carbohydrates in this dish?
The dish contains 35g of carbohydrates per serving, primarily from the penne pasta.
What type of chicken should I use?
You should use 1 lb of chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
What vegetables are included in the sauce?
The sauce features chopped red onions, quartered mushrooms, and chopped garlic.
What kind of wine is needed for the sauce?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of Madeira wine to provide a subtle sweetness to the creamy sauce.
How much butter is used in total?
A total of 6 tablespoons of butter is used, divided between sauteing the vegetables and creating the roux.
How do I make the sauce creamy?
The creaminess comes from a combination of a butter-and-flour roux, 1 cup of water, and 4 tablespoons of heavy cream.
What fresh herbs are recommended?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley to be stirred into the sauce.
How long does it take to cook the chicken?
The bite-sized chicken pieces should be cooked in a skillet for 6-8 minutes until no longer pink.
What is the purpose of the flour in this recipe?
The 2 tablespoons of flour are used to create a roux with melted butter, which helps thicken the sauce.
How should the mushrooms be prepared?
You should use 1 cup of mushrooms that have been quartered.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions.
How long do I saute the vegetables?
The red onions, mushrooms, and garlic should be sauteed for about 5 minutes until tender and fragrant.
When do I add the Madeira wine?
The Madeira wine is slowly poured into the skillet after the roux (butter and flour mixture) has cooked for 1-2 minutes.
What do I serve with the finished pasta?
It is recommended to serve the dish hot, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and extra parsley.
How much garlic is required?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of chopped garlic.
Is this dish considered a quick weeknight dinner?
Yes, it is tagged as a weeknight dinner, making it suitable for a relatively fast but comforting evening meal.
Can I use a different type of onion?
While the recipe specifies red onion for its vibrant flavor, you could technically substitute, though red onion is key to the original profile.
What kind of cheese is used?
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is added to taste for serving.
How much salt is included in the ingredient list?
The recipe lists 2 teaspoons of salt.
How long should the sauce simmer after adding parsley?
After stirring in the parsley, let the sauce simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Should the chicken be cooked separately from the vegetables?
Yes, the vegetables are sauteed and removed first, then the chicken is cooked in the same skillet and set aside before making the sauce.
What texture should the pasta be?
The penne pasta should be cooked until it is al dente.
Is this recipe categorized as Italian?
Yes, it is tagged as an Italian-style pasta dish.
How much water is added to the sauce?
The recipe requires 1 cup of water to be whisked into the sauce mixture.