Craving comfort food with a golden, cheesy twist? This Velveeta Chicken Penne in Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Cheese Sauce is like wrapping yourself in a blanket of rich, melty goodness. The dish layers juicy chicken thighs with tender penne pasta and a bold, garlicky cheese sauce that blends Velveeta’s signature creaminess with mozzarella’s stretch.

It’s the kind of weeknight dinner that stops you mid-bite just to say, “Wow.” Each forkful offers a perfect balance of crispy-seared chicken and velvety sauce-drenched pasta. Whether you’re cooking for the family or meal prepping for the week, this one-pan stunner makes indulgence feel effortless.

Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

Before you start, have your tools ready to make the process smoother:

Cast Iron Skillet or Heavy-Bottom Pan: Essential for searing the chicken and locking in flavor with even browning.
Large Pot: Used for boiling the penne pasta to al dente perfection.
Whisk: Vital when making the cheese sauce to prevent clumps and ensure a smooth blend.
Tongs and Spatula: Tongs help flip chicken easily without tearing the skin, and a spatula is great for folding the sauce through the pasta.
Sharp Knife and Cutting Board: For prepping garlic and trimming chicken thighs efficiently.

Organizing these ahead of time helps everything come together faster and cleaner, especially when juggling multiple components on a busy night.

Ingredients for the Velveeta Chicken Penne in Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Cheese Sauce

Chicken Thighs (boneless, skinless): Rich in flavor and juiciness, thighs hold up beautifully to high-heat searing.
Velveeta Cheese: Delivers that unmistakably creamy and melt-in-your-mouth texture to the sauce.
Mozzarella Cheese: Adds gooeyness and stretch for the ultimate cheesy pull.
Heavy Cream: The base of the sauce, creating a rich, smooth consistency.
Garlic (minced): Infuses the dish with bold, aromatic depth.
Butter: Helps build the base for the garlic and sauce with luxurious flavor.
Penne Pasta: Its ridges hold onto the sauce, making each bite more flavorful.
Salt & Pepper: For seasoning both the chicken and the sauce.
Parsley (optional): For garnish and a hint of fresh brightness.

How To Make the Velveeta Chicken Penne in Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Cheese Sauce

Step 1: Sear the Chicken Thighs

Season the chicken with salt and pepper. In a hot skillet with butter, sear each thigh until golden brown on both sides and cooked through. Set aside to rest.

Step 2: Boil the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Cheese Sauce

In the same skillet used for the chicken, melt additional butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 4: Add the Cheeses

Whisk in cubed Velveeta until fully melted. Then stir in mozzarella until the sauce is thick and luscious.

Step 5: Combine and Serve

Add the drained pasta into the cheese sauce and stir to coat. Slice or keep the chicken thighs whole and place over the cheesy pasta. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Serving and Storing Velveeta Chicken Penne in Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Cheese Sauce

Serve this dish hot, straight from the skillet, for the ultimate comfort meal. It pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or garlic bread on the side.

To store leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of cream to bring the sauce back to life without separating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of chicken works best for this recipe?

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are preferred for their flavor and tenderness, but chicken breasts can work if pounded evenly.

Can I substitute Velveeta with another cheese?

You can use cheddar for a sharper flavor, but Velveeta ensures a smooth, creamy melt that’s hard to replicate.

How do I prevent the cheese sauce from clumping?

Use a whisk and low heat while adding the cheese gradually. Avoid boiling once cheese is added.

Is it possible to make this ahead of time?

Yes, make the components separately and combine just before serving to keep the texture ideal.

Can I freeze the leftovers?

It’s not recommended due to the cream and cheese base, which may separate upon thawing.

Can I make it spicy?

Absolutely! Add crushed red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce for a kick.

Want More Cheesy Pasta Dinner Ideas?

You might also like the Garlic Butter Chicken Balls with Creamy Parmesan Pasta, another rich combo of flavor-packed poultry and pasta.

For something bolder, try the Buffalo Chicken Lasagna Recipe layered with spice and gooey cheese.

Love Alfredo-style indulgence? The Garlic Sausage Alfredo Rigatoni and Beef and Bowtie Pasta with Alfredo Sauce are just as creamy and satisfying.

Don’t miss the comforting twist in the Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup for a meatless cheese-forward meal.

Pin and Tell Me How Yours Turned Out

You can save this to your dinner inspiration boards for easy access. Just hit that Pin button.

If you try it, I’d love to know how yours turned out. Did you go extra garlicky? Use another pasta shape? Drop a comment below. Your tweaks make every dish more fun to revisit!

For more cozy recipes and new dinner favorites, follow along on my Pinterest @LadyPlate.

Velveeta Chicken Penne in Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Cheese Sauce

Author: Julia Koch
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Print Recipe

Description

This Velveeta Chicken Penne in Creamy Mozzarella Garlic Cheese Sauce is a crave-worthy comfort meal that combines golden-seared chicken thighs with tender penne pasta, all tossed in a velvety garlic cheese sauce made from Velveeta and mozzarella. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner and ready to impress with its indulgent flavor and creamy texture.

Instructions

1. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper.

2. In a cast iron skillet, melt 1 tbsp of butter and sear chicken thighs until golden brown and cooked through. Set aside.

3. In a large pot, boil penne pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

4. In the same skillet, melt remaining butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

5. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.

6. Add cubed Velveeta and whisk until fully melted. Stir in shredded mozzarella and continue to whisk until smooth and thick.

7. Add cooked pasta into the sauce and toss to coat.

8. Slice or serve chicken thighs whole over the pasta. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.

Notes

For extra depth of flavor, add a splash of chicken broth to the sauce base before adding cream.

Always shred your own mozzarella for better meltability and texture in the sauce.

Reheat leftovers slowly on the stove with a splash of cream to maintain the silky sauce consistency.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 680
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 940mg
Fat: 42g
Saturated Fat: 22g
Unsaturated Fat: 17g
Trans Fat: 1g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 170mg

Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, Velveeta recipes, garlic cheese pasta