Garlic Butter Chicken Penne with Creamy Three-Cheese Sauce
A luxurious and comforting dish of tender chicken and penne pasta in a rich garlic butter and creamy cheese sauce, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Pasta and Chicken
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 7 cloves garlic, minced
- 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
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped For garnish
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper To taste
Instructions
Cooking the Pasta
- Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.
Cooking the Chicken
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken, seasoning with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken and slice.
Making the Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Pour in heavy cream and add cream cheese, stirring until smooth.
- Mix in mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, allowing them to melt into a creamy sauce.
Combining and Serving
- Add the cooked penne to the sauce, tossing to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency.
- Stir in the sliced chicken. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
For added flavor, consider adding red pepper flakes for heat or lemon zest for brightness. Customize with vegetables like spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for extra nutrition.