Description
A rich, creamy comfort meal featuring seared garlic butter chicken, al dente penne pasta, and a luscious three-cheese sauce. This dish is both indulgent and easy to make, perfect for a cozy dinner or an impressive main course.
Ingredients
2 large chicken breasts, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
12 oz penne pasta
1 cup heavy cream
4 oz cream cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Season diced chicken with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
2. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
3. Add chicken and sear until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
4. Cook penne pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
5. In the same skillet, melt remaining butter and stir in cream cheese until smooth.
6. Gradually whisk in heavy cream, then add mozzarella and parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
7. Stir in pasta, add reserved chicken, and mix everything to coat. Use pasta water to thin sauce if needed.
8. Top with fresh parsley and additional parmesan before serving.
Notes
Freshly grated cheese will melt better and yield a smoother sauce.
Avoid overheating the cheese sauce to prevent curdling.
Add veggies like spinach or broccoli for a complete one-skillet meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 25g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
Keywords: garlic butter chicken pasta, creamy cheese penne, chicken penne dinner