Description
A rich and comforting Garlic Butter Chicken Penne with Creamy Three-Cheese Sauce made with juicy chicken, garlic butter, penne pasta, and a velvety sauce of mozzarella, cream cheese, and parmesan. Perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings, this cheesy chicken pasta recipe is quick, hearty, and family-approved.
Ingredients
1 lb chicken breast (boneless, skinless)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
3 tbsp butter (unsalted)
12 oz penne pasta
1 cup heavy cream
4 oz cream cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
1. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
2. Reduce heat and melt butter in the same pan. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Meanwhile, cook penne pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
4. Add cream cheese to the garlic butter and stir until it starts to melt. Slowly add heavy cream, then mix in mozzarella and parmesan. Stir until the sauce becomes smooth.
5. Slice cooked chicken and return it to the pan. Add penne pasta and mix until well coated in the creamy sauce. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes.
6. Serve hot and enjoy every bite of cheesy, garlicky goodness.
Notes
Let the garlic cook just until fragrant—don’t let it brown or it will taste bitter.
If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water or more cream.
For extra flavor, sprinkle crushed red pepper or fresh basil before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 625
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 140mg