Description
Creamy, cheesy, garlicky, and packed with juicy chicken—this Garlic Butter Chicken Penne with Creamy Three-Cheese Sauce is the ultimate comfort pasta dish. Ready in under an hour, this recipe makes an indulgent weeknight dinner that feels special enough for guests. It combines bold flavor with a rich texture and satisfying finish.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter (divided)
2 large chicken breasts, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
8 ounces penne pasta
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (divided)
1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
1 tablespoon chopped parsley or Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
Splash of pasta water (as needed)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes.
3. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and stir in the skillet with the chicken for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Lower the heat to low and stir in ricotta, mozzarella, and half of the parmesan cheese. Mix until melted and smooth. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of pasta water.
5. Add the cooked penne to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the cheesy sauce.
6. Top with sun-dried tomatoes, remaining parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley or Italian herbs. Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
Freshly grated cheese makes a smoother, silkier sauce than pre-shredded.
Don’t overcook the chicken—remove it as soon as it’s golden and juicy.
Save a bit of pasta water! It helps loosen up the sauce if it thickens too much after mixing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 39g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: garlic butter, chicken pasta, creamy cheese pasta