Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken Penne is a creamy, cheesy comfort dish packed with juicy seared chicken, rich garlic butter, and a velvety three-cheese sauce. With sun-dried tomatoes and fresh parsley for contrast, it’s the kind of recipe that turns any evening into something a little special.
Ingredients
2 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, cut into chunks
12 oz penne pasta
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1/3 cup asiago cheese, grated
1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then sear for 6–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Lower the heat and pour in the heavy cream. Stir in mozzarella, parmesan, and asiago cheese. Mix until smooth. Add reserved pasta water gradually if needed to thin the sauce.
5. Add the cooked penne pasta to the sauce. Toss well. Return the chicken and stir in sun-dried tomatoes. Warm everything through.
6. Garnish with chopped parsley and extra parmesan if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
Don’t overcook the garlic—keep it lightly golden to avoid bitterness.
Freshly grated cheese melts smoother than pre-shredded varieties.
Add a handful of spinach or mushrooms to boost the veggie content.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: garlic butter pasta, cheesy chicken pasta, creamy penne