Garlic Butter Chicken Penne in Creamy Parmesan Cream Sauce

why make this recipe

This dish gives you creamy pasta and tender garlic butter chicken in one pan. It cooks fast and feels like a restaurant meal at home. The sauce is rich with Parmesan and cream. If you love buttery chicken pasta, this recipe is a simple winner.

introduction

This Garlic Butter Chicken Penne in Creamy Parmesan Cream Sauce mixes seared chicken, garlic butter, and a silky cheese sauce with penne. It uses everyday ingredients and makes a comforting dinner. For a different butter-chicken pasta twist, try this simple option: Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine.

how to make Garlic Butter Chicken Penne in Creamy Parmesan Cream Sauce

Cook the pasta first. Season and sear the chicken until golden. Use the same pan to make the creamy Parmesan sauce with garlic, butter, broth, cream, cream cheese, and Parmesan. Toss the cooked penne in the sauce, add the chicken back, and heat through. Finish with parsley and extra Parmesan.

Ingredients :

• 1.25 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast (cut into strips or cubes)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 12 oz penne pasta
• 3 tbsp butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 1⁄2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 oz cream cheese (optional for extra creaminess)
• 1⁄2 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Directions :

1. Boil penne in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1⁄2 cup pasta water and drain.
2. Season chicken with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil + 2 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear until golden and fully cooked (5–6 minutes). Remove chicken and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add 3 tbsp butter and sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring well. Add cream cheese and melt until smooth, then stir in Parmesan until sauce becomes thick, creamy, and silky. If the sauce gets too thick, add splashes of pasta water.
4. Add cooked penne into the sauce. Toss until well-coated and creamy. Return chicken to the skillet and mix gently.
5. Garnish with parsley and extra parmesan. Serve warm and enjoy the creamy perfection!

how to serve Garlic Butter Chicken Penne in Creamy Parmesan Cream Sauce

Serve hot in wide bowls so the sauce spreads well. Add extra grated Parmesan and chopped parsley on top. A side salad and warm bread fit well. For a sweet finish, pair with a simple dessert like butterscotch dessert sauce over ice cream.

how to store Garlic Butter Chicken Penne in Creamy Parmesan Cream Sauce

Let the dish cool to room temperature first. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of milk or reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if it thickens.

tips to make Garlic Butter Chicken Penne in Creamy Parmesan Cream Sauce

• Cut chicken into even pieces so it cooks evenly.
• Don’t overcook the pasta; aim for al dente.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melt and flavor.
• If the sauce is too thin, simmer a bit longer to thicken. If too thick, add reserved pasta water little by little.
• Taste and adjust salt and pepper at the end.

variation (if any)

• Swap penne for fettuccine, rigatoni, or bowties.
• Add mushrooms or spinach to the sauce for veggies.
• Use shrimp instead of chicken for a seafood version.
• Add red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.

FAQs

Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
A: Yes. Thaw fully and pat dry before seasoning and cooking.

Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: You would need dairy replacements (non-dairy cream, vegan butter, vegan Parmesan). The texture will differ.

Q: Can I freeze leftovers?
A: You can, but cream sauces can change texture after freezing. Freeze only if needed and reheat slowly with added liquid.

Q: How long does the sauce keep its creaminess?
A: In the fridge it stays good for up to 3 days. Reheat gently and add a little pasta water to refresh the texture.

Conclusion

For a similar dish with bite-sized chicken and creamy Parmesan pasta, see this recipe: Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta …

Garlic Butter Chicken Penne in Creamy Parmesan Cream Sauce

This dish gives you creamy pasta and tender garlic butter chicken in one pan, making it feel like a restaurant meal at home.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 650

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Chicken and Seasoning

• 1.25 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast (cut into strips or cubes)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• to taste Salt & pepper

Pasta and Sauce Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 3 tbsp butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1.5 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 oz cream cheese (optional for extra creaminess)
• 0.5 cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Method

 

Cooking Pasta

1. Boil penne in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.

Preparing Chicken

1. Season chicken with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil and 2 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add chicken and sear until golden and fully cooked (about 5-6 minutes). Remove chicken and set aside.

Making the Sauce

1. In the same skillet, add 3 tbsp butter and sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds.
2. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring well.
3. Add cream cheese and melt until smooth, then stir in Parmesan until sauce becomes thick, creamy, and silky.
4. If the sauce gets too thick, add splashes of pasta water.

Combining Ingredients

1. Add cooked penne into the sauce. Toss until well-coated and creamy.
2. Return chicken to the skillet and mix gently.

Serving

1. Garnish with parsley and extra parmesan. Serve warm and enjoy the creamy perfection!

Notes

Cut chicken into even pieces for uniform cooking. Don’t overcook the pasta; aim for al dente. Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melt and flavor. Adjust consistency of the sauce with reserved pasta water.