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Garlic Butter Chicken Penne with Creamy Cheddar Parmesan Sauce dish

Garlic Butter Chicken Penne with Creamy Cheddar Parmesan Sauce

A delightful dish combining tender chicken and pasta with a rich, savory sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 800
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thick-cut bite-size pieces
  • 12 oz penne pasta
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
  • 8 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1.5 cups heavy cream
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened and cubed
  • 1.25 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
  • 3/4 cup freshly shredded mozzarella
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Boil salted water in a large pot; add penne and cook until al dente (about 10-12 minutes). Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
Searing the Chicken
  1. In a large skillet, melt 3 tbsp butter over medium-high heat.
  2. Season chicken with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika; add to the skillet and sear until golden brown (3-4 minutes per side).
  3. Remove chicken and set aside.
Preparing the Sauce
  1. In the same skillet, add remaining butter and minced garlic; sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute).
  2. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
  3. Whisk in cream cheese until melted and smooth.
  4. Gradually add cheddar and Parmesan cheeses while stirring continuously until fully melted and creamy.
Combining the Ingredients
  1. Toss cooked penne into the sauce along with reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
  2. Fold in seared chicken pieces to combine.
Serving
  1. Serve garnished with fresh parsley.

Notes

Make sure to reserve some pasta water; it helps to adjust the sauce's consistency. For extra flavor, let the garlic cook just until fragrant to avoid burning. Mix in veggies like spinach or mushrooms for added nutrition.