Description
Creamy garlic butter chicken penne with three-cheese sauce is the perfect weeknight dinner recipe. Loaded with juicy chicken, buttery garlic, and a rich mix of Parmesan, mozzarella, and cream cheese, this comforting pasta dish is easy, flavorful, and family-friendly. A must-try for fans of creamy chicken pasta recipes.
Ingredients
8 oz penne pasta
2 chicken breasts
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 tbsp unsalted butter
4 oz cream cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter and sauté garlic for 30 seconds.
3. Add chicken to the skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add more butter if needed and stir in cream cheese until melted.
5. Add heavy cream, then stir in mozzarella and Parmesan. Stir continuously until cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
6. Return the cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat in sauce, adding pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
7. Sprinkle chopped parsley on top. Serve warm with extra Parmesan or red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
Make sure to reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
Use room temperature cream cheese for quicker melting.
Don’t rinse the pasta — the starch helps the sauce cling better.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 130mg