Description
A creamy, flavor-packed pasta dish perfect for weeknight dinners that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter (divided)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 3 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta until tender with a slight bite. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil with 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and season with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook until golden on the outside and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
- Lower the heat to medium and melt the remaining butter in the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and carefully cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Pour in the chicken broth, milk, and heavy cream, stirring gently to combine and create a smooth base.
- Add the Velveeta and cream cheese, stirring until melted and fully incorporated into the sauce.
- Mix in the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, continuing to stir until the sauce thickens and becomes rich and creamy. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.
- Return the cooked chicken to the sauce, stirring to coat evenly.
- Add the cooked penne to the sauce, gently tossing until every piece is covered.
- Allow it to sit over low heat for a couple of minutes so the sauce settles and clings to the pasta.
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley and a light sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Make the sauce a day ahead and cook fresh pasta before serving for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Garlic Butter Chicken, Penne Pasta, Alfredo Sauce, Family Dinner, Comfort Food