Description
Craving something cozy, creamy, and packed with flavor? This Cheddar Parmesan Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Penne Pasta is the ultimate comfort food dinner idea. Tender slices of seared chicken are tossed in garlic butter and layered over penne pasta soaked in a velvety cheddar-parmesan cream sauce. It’s an easy recipe perfect for a weeknight meal, yet indulgent enough to serve for a casual dinner gathering. Whether you’re looking for quick dinner ideas or rich food ideas to please the family, this dish hits all the marks for a satisfying, cheesy, protein-packed meal.
Ingredients
1 lb chicken breasts, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp butter, divided
8 oz penne pasta
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1. Season the sliced chicken with salt and pepper on both sides.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil and 1.5 tbsp of the butter. Once melted, sear the chicken on both sides until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. Lower the heat to medium. Add the remaining 1.5 tbsp of butter to the skillet and stir in the minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
4. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Add cheddar and parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until melted and smooth. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper if needed.
5. In a separate pot, cook the penne pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and immediately add to the cheese sauce.
6. Stir the pasta until it’s fully coated in the sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
7. Top the cheesy pasta with the cooked chicken slices.
8. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Freshly grate your cheese — it melts smoother and makes the sauce creamy without clumps.
Don’t overcook the pasta — aim for al dente to prevent it from getting mushy when tossed in the hot sauce.
Customize it easily — you can stir in spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes to make it your own.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 470mg
- Fat: 37g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 145mg