Description
A comforting medley of creamy cheese and tender chicken, this dish envelops your senses with warmth and flavor, turning an ordinary evening into an unforgettable culinary experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 7 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water for later. Set the pasta aside.
- Sauté the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and season generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sauté until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest before slicing.
- Create the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
- Prepare the Creamy Cheese Sauce: Slowly stir in the heavy cream. As the cream warms, add the softened cream cheese, whisking until smooth. Gradually mix in the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan, stirring until the cheeses melt into a creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
- Combine It All: Add the cooked penne back into the skillet, along with the sliced chicken. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are fully coated in the creamy cheese sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Plate and Garnish: Serve the garlic butter chicken penne on plates or in bowls. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and more grated cheese, if desired. Dive in while it’s hot!
Notes
Make-ahead tips: You can prepare the cheese sauce a day in advance and refrigerate it. Customize by adding sautéed vegetables for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Garlic Butter Chicken, Creamy Pasta, Comfort Food, Three-Cheese Sauce, Italian Recipe