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Creamy Penne with Chicken, Figs + Walnuts
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This Creamy Penne with Chicken gets tons of taste and texture from California figs and walnuts. Use Real California Dairy for the creamy, cheesy sauce too. This baked pasta recipe from Chef Robert Del Grande is full of good for you flavor and protein too!
Dried Figs with Pasta? With Chicken? A Chef says Yes!
A native of California, Chef Robert Del Grande has always had a passion for California Figs, and he uses dried figs in everything from Pasta with Fig Sofrito and Parmesan or Baked Rigatoni with Italian Sausage and Ricotta, to BBQ Sauce and California Fig Chicken Cacciatore. The figs add sweetness, body, texture and depth of flavor to the dishes.
Here’s what you need to make Creamy Penne with Chicken:
- penne pasta
- California dried figs
- balsamic vinegar
- sea salt & black pepper
- cooked chicken
- Monterey Jack cheese
- walnuts
- parsley
- fennel seeds
- chicken stock
- heavy cream
- aged California Cheddar or Parmesan
This Baked Penne with Chicken recipe is easy and delicious!
Once the pasta and the chicken are cooked, it really is just as simple as tossing everything together and popping it in the oven. This baked penne with chicken recipe is also a great place to use up leftover chicken or turkey, and serve up a surprisingly delicious meal. Serve it with a salad, or just with a glass of your favorite California wine.
Love easy penne pasta recipes? We do too!
Try these recipes for Penne ai Quattro Formaggi (four cheese pasta), Baked Penne with Zucchini and Olives from our fiends, and our own Simple Spinach and Artichoke Baked Penne Pasta too!
Creamy Chicken Penne with Chicken, Dried Figs and Walnuts
Ingredients
- 8 ounces dried penne pasta
- 8-10 California Dried Figs stems removed and chopped (about 4 ounces)
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- Pinch ground black pepper
- 8 ounces cooked chicken shredded
- 4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese grated
- ½ cup walnuts roughly chopped
- ¼ cup chopped Italian parsley
- ¼ teaspoon fennel seeds minced
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Grated Aged California Cheddar or Parmesan for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Combine the chopped figs, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Toss and marinate for 5 to 10 minutes or until the vinegar is absorbed by the figs. Drain off any excess vinegar.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C)
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the marinated figs. Add the chicken, Jack cheese, walnuts, parsley, and fennel seeds. Stir well. Stir in the chicken stock and cream.
- Transfer the contents of the bowl to a 9-x-13-inch (23-cm x 33-cm) baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes or until hot and just starting to bubble.
- Let stand for 10 minutes before serving with grated Aged Cheddar or Parmesan on the side.
Notes
Nutrition
Try this too: Simple Pasta Dinner with Walnuts, Raisins and Kale
This simple pasta dinner recipe – a California riff on Pasta Foriana, is pantry and budget friendly, a meatless option that isn’t missing on flavor, and truly delicious.
Fans of this recipe should try out Anya Kassoff’s Portobello Bolognese Pasta on Food52, Mariani’s Spaghetti Sauce, and this Lemon Butter Pasta with Olives too!
Love this baked pasta recipe with chicken and figs? Try these too:
Drunken Pasta With Pancetta & Figs
This indulgent Drunken Pasta with Figs and Pancetta recipe comes from Chef Ella Freyinger for Flamingo Estate. You’re sure to love it!
Moroccan Chicken
Make this simple chicken recipe from G-Free Foodie on the stove, in the oven, in an InstantPot, or in your slow cooker.
No matter how you prepare it, the savory sauce made of spices, tomato, and dried figs is sure to be a favorite.