Gourmet Chicken Penne with Fontinella Béchamel Sauce

This post is sponsored by Stella® Cheeses but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

The most wonderful time of the year aka Christmas is upon us. The holiday season is one of my most favorite times of the year. And not just because of the presents and my birthday either.

My love for Christmas stems from fond memories of family bonding while cooking holiday dishes in the kitchen with my mom and siblings. My mom always went into full-on entertainment mode, hosting two dinner parties – one for her girlfriends and sisters and then another for the rest of our extended family. So it’s only natural that I inherited her love of entertaining.

Of course, my favorite part of playing hostess is putting a gourmet spin on old classics or coming up with completely unique recipes of my own like my Gourmet Chicken Penne with Fontinella Béchamel Sauce. This dish is so delicious and is guaranteed to be a hit at your holiday gatherings. Keep reading to get the recipe!

How To Make Chicken Penne w/ Fontinella Béchamel Sauce

One of the things I loved about creating this recipe was the simplicity of it. I know béchamel sauce can be a bit scary for some folks, but honestly, it’s just a fancy word for white sauce and is super easy to make. Adding Stella® Cheeses’ Fontinella really adds a gourmet element that kicks this dish up several notches. Seriously, don’t you won’t regret using this cheese in your sauce.

Ingredients

Chicken Penne

3 chicken breast, diced
2 cups of penne pasta
1large onion, diced
8 strips of bacon, diced
1 tbsp garlic, chopped
2 tbsp vegetable/olive oil
1 tbsp butter
Black pepper, optional
Salt, optional
Seasoning salt, optional

Fontinella Béchamel Sauce

1/2 cup of Stella Cheeses’ Fontinella Cheese
1 cup milk/soy milk
2 tbsp flour
2 tbsp butter
Black pepper to taste
Salt to taste
Splash of chicken stock

Directions

In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Once your water is boiling add your pasta and cook until completely done or according to the directions on the box. Also, you can add a drizzle of oil into the water to help prevent your pasta from sticking together.

While your penne pasta is cooking, in a large skillet over medium heat add in butter and oil. Once your butter has melted, add in your onions. Let your onion cook down for about two minutes and then add in your bacon and cook until done. Add in garlic and cook for another 60 seconds. Then remove the bacon and onion mixture from the skillet.

Next, in the same skillet add in your diced chicken breast. You can season your chicken breast however you like. I kept it simple and seasoned mine with seasoning salt and pepper. As the chicken cooks, it will pick up some of the flavors from the onion, bacon, and garlic that was previously cooked in there.

Remove your penne pasta from its pot once done. In that same pot melt down your 2 tablespoons of butter for your sauce on medium heat. Once the butter is melted, turn down the heat to low and stir in your flour for about two minutes. Do not let your flour burn or get stuck to the bottom of your pot.

Once your flour and butter are well mixed, start pouring in your milk a little bit at a time, making sure to whisk continuously. When you have all of your milk mixed in, add in your salt and pepper in accordance to your taste preferences. Then add in a splash of chicken stock. Whisk again and start to add in your Fontinella cheese saving a few tablespoons to garnish at the end.

Continue to whisk until all of your cheese is melted. This should take less than two minutes.

Now that your béchamel sauce is done, remove from it from the heat. Then mix in the chicken, pasta, and half of your bacon, onion and garlic mixture.

Once that is mixed well and coated evenly with sauce, you can top it with the rest of the bacon, onion, garlic mixture as well as sprinkle on the remainder of your Fontinella cheese.

Serve and be prepared for your guests to ask for seconds. Maybe even thirds if there’s no shame in their game.

I really hope that you enjoy this recipe! Even more so, I hope that recipe encourages each of you to get into the kitchen and start experimenting. Making gourmet dishes doesn’t have to be hard. It just takes quality ingredients like Stella® Cheeses, a little holiday spirit, and lots of love.

Want to find more of delicious gourmet recipes to share with your family and friends this holiday season? Check Stella® Cheeses’ official website here. You also follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

What is your favorite dish to make during the holidays?

47 Comments

Shelly- Mom Files
November 30, 2018 at 12:55 PM

This pasta dish looks delicious! I will have to look for these Stella cheeses in my local grocery store soon. Thanks for sharing this recipe. 🙂
Kokoa Magazine
December 4, 2018 at 1:35 PM

This looks so good! I am lactose intolerant but I still will eat that cheese and suffer the consequences. I will do that with this recipe. I do need to experiment more
Kokoa Magazine
December 4, 2018 at 1:35 PM

This looks so good! I am lactose intolerant but I still will eat that cheese and suffer the consequences. I will do that with this recipe. I do need to experiment more
Stacie Raye
December 4, 2018 at 2:42 PM

Now this looks easy to make. I've been wanting to try something like this but thought it would be too difficult. I think I'll have to try it out on the fam.
Stacie Raye
December 4, 2018 at 2:42 PM

Now this looks easy to make. I've been wanting to try something like this but thought it would be too difficult. I think I'll have to try it out on the fam.
Nadalie Bardo
December 4, 2018 at 4:21 PM

Oh la la, what a yummy pasta with REAL cheese! Looks like creamy goodness to me. I'm going to give this a try this weekend.
Nadalie Bardo
December 4, 2018 at 4:21 PM

Oh la la, what a yummy pasta with REAL cheese! Looks like creamy goodness to me. I'm going to give this a try this weekend.
Sara Smith
December 4, 2018 at 6:18 PM

This pasta dish looks delicious! Very clear diction and of course easy technique. Will try this weekend. Thanks!
Sara Smith
December 4, 2018 at 6:18 PM

This pasta dish looks delicious! Very clear diction and of course easy technique. Will try this weekend. Thanks!
Shani
December 4, 2018 at 10:39 PM

This looks yummy! I have to wait a few months to try it out as i'm trying to get a little slim and trim before the summer.
Shani
December 4, 2018 at 10:39 PM

This looks yummy! I have to wait a few months to try it out as i'm trying to get a little slim and trim before the summer.
Joyce Brewer
December 4, 2018 at 11:59 PM

This recipes looks absolutely delicious. I'm not adventurous enough to try it, but my husband would!
Joyce Brewer
December 4, 2018 at 11:59 PM

This recipes looks absolutely delicious. I'm not adventurous enough to try it, but my husband would!
Leslie H
December 5, 2018 at 2:15 AM

Looks so yummy! Sweet potatoe pie is my fave dish to make!
Leslie H
December 5, 2018 at 2:15 AM

Looks so yummy! Sweet potatoe pie is my fave dish to make!
Kiwi
December 6, 2018 at 2:09 AM

Minus the chicken this looks good. Another pasta dish I need to try for myself.
Kiwi
December 6, 2018 at 2:09 AM

Minus the chicken this looks good. Another pasta dish I need to try for myself.
Unknown
December 6, 2018 at 4:00 PM

Ohhh this looks delicious!!! I may make this tonight! Ha!
Unknown
December 6, 2018 at 4:00 PM

Ohhh this looks delicious!!! I may make this tonight! Ha!
Live, Love, Eat!
December 7, 2018 at 2:39 PM

OMG! This looks delish. It's a win for me because it's easy to make. Thanks for sharing.
Live, Love, Eat!
December 7, 2018 at 2:39 PM

OMG! This looks delish. It's a win for me because it's easy to make. Thanks for sharing.
Lydia
December 10, 2018 at 8:34 PM

Yum! This looks delicious. And with bacon and cheese? How can you go wrong?!
Lydia
December 10, 2018 at 8:34 PM

Yum! This looks delicious. And with bacon and cheese? How can you go wrong?!
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy
December 14, 2018 at 7:25 PM

I know right?! Bacon and cheese make everything more delicious.
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy
December 14, 2018 at 7:25 PM

I know right?! Bacon and cheese make everything more delicious.
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy
December 14, 2018 at 7:26 PM

Yes, it's very easy to make. I used to be intimidated to make bechamel sauce because it sounded so fancy, but it's literally the easiest thing in the world to make.
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy
December 14, 2018 at 7:26 PM

Yes, it's very easy to make. I used to be intimidated to make bechamel sauce because it sounded so fancy, but it's literally the easiest thing in the world to make.
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy
December 14, 2018 at 7:33 PM

Thanks! And hope you enjoy it!
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy
December 14, 2018 at 7:33 PM

Thanks! And hope you enjoy it!
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy
December 14, 2018 at 7:34 PM

Definitely feel free to substitute the chicken for your favorite meat or meat alternative. You could also add in some mixed veggies and leave it completely meatless.
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy
December 14, 2018 at 7:34 PM

Definitely feel free to substitute the chicken for your favorite meat or meat alternative. You could also add in some mixed veggies and leave it completely meatless.
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy
December 14, 2018 at 7:35 PM

I love sweet potato pie as well, but I have to confess that it's been a while since I've made one from scratch.
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy
December 14, 2018 at 7:35 PM

I love sweet potato pie as well, but I have to confess that it's been a while since I've made one from scratch.
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy
December 14, 2018 at 7:38 PM

LOL. Well, if he tries it, I hope that he likes it. And you totally substitute out any of the ingredients for ones that better suit your taste palette. For example, if you're not a fan of fontinella or are on the fence about trying it, Stella Cheeses also have some more traditional cheeses that you could use in this dish as well.
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy
December 14, 2018 at 7:38 PM

LOL. Well, if he tries it, I hope that he likes it. And you totally substitute out any of the ingredients for ones that better suit your taste palette. For example, if you're not a fan of fontinella or are on the fence about trying it, Stella Cheeses also have some more traditional cheeses that you could use in this dish as well.
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy
December 14, 2018 at 7:41 PM

Listen when it comes to pasta dishes with cheeses, my willpower to stay on the \”Get Snatched For Summer\” train goes out the window. LOL. Best of luck to you though in journey to get slim and trim for the summer. You can do it!!
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy
December 14, 2018 at 7:41 PM

Listen when it comes to pasta dishes with cheeses, my willpower to stay on the \”Get Snatched For Summer\” train goes out the window. LOL. Best of luck to you though in journey to get slim and trim for the summer. You can do it!!
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy
December 14, 2018 at 7:43 PM

It's so good. By far my favorite pasta dish I've made this year. And yes, it's very easy to make. No hoops to jump through. I love cooking, but anything that takes super long to make I can't do. So I like to keep my recipes simple and just use quality ingredients that really pack a lot of flavor.
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy
December 14, 2018 at 7:43 PM

It's so good. By far my favorite pasta dish I've made this year. And yes, it's very easy to make. No hoops to jump through. I love cooking, but anything that takes super long to make I can't do. So I like to keep my recipes simple and just use quality ingredients that really pack a lot of flavor.
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy
December 14, 2018 at 7:45 PM

Yes, I can't do fake cheese when it comes to pasta. Pasta is bae! So that means only the best.
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy
December 14, 2018 at 7:45 PM

Yes, I can't do fake cheese when it comes to pasta. Pasta is bae! So that means only the best.
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy
December 14, 2018 at 7:47 PM

I thought the same but as I continue experimenting in the kitchen, I'm learning these fancy sounding dishes are really quite easy to make. They're more about the quality of the ingredients you use, which why Stella Cheeses was the perfect choice for this dish. The fontinella really has a rich flavor that kicks this dish up a notch.
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy
December 14, 2018 at 7:47 PM

I thought the same but as I continue experimenting in the kitchen, I'm learning these fancy sounding dishes are really quite easy to make. They're more about the quality of the ingredients you use, which why Stella Cheeses was the perfect choice for this dish. The fontinella really has a rich flavor that kicks this dish up a notch.
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy
December 14, 2018 at 7:54 PM

I've been trying to experiment more in the kitchen which is exactly why I love cooking during the holidays. When my family gets together, they love being my taste testers.
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy
December 14, 2018 at 7:54 PM

I've been trying to experiment more in the kitchen which is exactly why I love cooking during the holidays. When my family gets together, they love being my taste testers.
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy
December 14, 2018 at 7:55 PM

Definitely try them out. They're available at Kroger and Harris Teeter for sure.
K. Elizabeth @ YUMMommy
December 14, 2018 at 7:55 PM

Definitely try them out. They're available at Kroger and Harris Teeter for sure.

Gourmet Chicken Penne with Fontinella Béchamel Sauce

How To Make Chicken Penne w/ Fontinella Béchamel Sauce

Ingredients

Directions

You May Also Like

47 Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel