Description
A delightful Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Velveeta Penne brings comfort with a rich and velvety finish, perfect for busy evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thick bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1.5 tsp Cajun seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, which usually takes around 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels. Season the chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil and 3 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook undisturbed for about 4 minutes until they form a lovely deep golden-brown crust.
- Flip the chicken pieces and cook for an additional 3 minutes. In the last 30 seconds of cooking, add the minced garlic to the skillet and toss the chicken in the garlic butter until glossy. Transfer the chicken to a plate and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter and add the minced garlic, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Then pour in the heavy cream and milk, allowing it to simmer for about 3 minutes.
- Add the cream cheese to the skillet and whisk until smooth. Next, introduce the Velveeta cheese cubes, stirring until they melt smoothly into the sauce.
- Gradually add in the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until the sauce becomes thick and glossy. Adjust the seasoning with Cajun and Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to your taste.
- Finally, add the cooked penne to the creamy sauce and toss until every piece is filled and coated with the delightful mixture. Plate the penne on one side, the chicken on the other, and finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
Notes
Ensure chicken is patted dry for a crispy crust. Adjust seasonings to taste, as they can vary in heat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Garlic Butter Chicken, Creamy Velveeta Penne, family dinner