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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
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
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.