Description
Craving the ultimate easy dinner recipe that brings together flavor, comfort, and richness in one pan? This Garlic Butter Chicken Penne with Creamy Three-Cheese Sauce is a quick dinner winner packed with juicy garlic-seared chicken, velvety cheese sauce, and tender penne pasta. Perfect for weeknight meals, indulgent weekends, or meal prepping, this dish is a true crowd-pleaser for anyone who loves cheesy pasta, comfort food, and dinner ideas that impress without the stress.
Ingredients
2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
0.5 teaspoon onion powder
0.5 teaspoon salt
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic minced
12 ounces penne pasta
Salted water for boiling
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1.5 cups whole milk warm
0.5 cup heavy cream
0.75 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
0.5 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
3 ounces cream cheese softened
Salt and pepper to taste
0.5 teaspoon dried Italian herbs or parsley optional
3 strips crispy bacon chopped
Fresh parsley or basil chopped
Red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
1. Pat chicken dry and season with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high and sear chicken for 5–6 minutes per side.
3. Add butter and minced garlic during the last minute; baste chicken with the melted garlic butter. Remove and rest.
4. Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain.
5. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and stir to form a roux.
6. Slowly whisk in warm milk and cream; simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
7. Add cream cheese and stir until smooth. Then mix in parmesan and mozzarella until melted. Season to taste.
8. Stir cooked penne into the sauce. Use reserved pasta water to loosen if needed.
9. Slice rested chicken and serve over pasta.
10. Top with bacon, herbs, and optional red pepper flakes. Serve immediately.
Notes
Bring dairy ingredients to room temperature before cooking to ensure a smooth, creamy sauce.
Reserve some pasta water—it’s key to loosening and enriching the cheese sauce.
Grate your cheese fresh for the best melt and flavor—avoid pre-shredded when possible.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American / Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 625
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Keywords: garlic butter chicken pasta, creamy penne, easy dinner, cheesy pasta recipe