Description
Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Penne is the ultimate comfort food pasta recipe. Featuring juicy chicken, rich garlic butter, and a three-cheese sauce with mozzarella, parmesan, and cream cheese, this dish is ready in 30 minutes and perfect for busy weeknights. Keywords: garlic butter chicken pasta, creamy penne recipe, three-cheese sauce pasta.
Ingredients
340g penne pasta
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
115g cream cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup whole milk or heavy cream
2 tablespoons chopped parsley or basil (optional for garnish)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
2. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and slice into strips.
3. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Lower the heat, add cream cheese, and stir until it melts. Add milk or cream and whisk until smooth. Stir in mozzarella and parmesan until fully melted and creamy.
5. Add cooked penne and sliced chicken to the skillet. Toss everything to coat in the sauce. Use reserved pasta water to loosen if needed. Adjust seasoning.
6. Garnish with parsley or basil and serve warm. Add more parmesan or red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
Use room-temperature cream cheese for easier melting.
Reserve pasta water—it helps thin the sauce without losing flavor.
Slice chicken thinly so it mixes well into the pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 615
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 115mg