Description
A comforting and creamy garlic herb chicken penne dish with smooth Parmesan Alfredo sauce that is sure to please your family.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp parsley flakes
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 oz cream cheese
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne until just tender. Drain and set aside.
- Season the sliced chicken breasts evenly with dried basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Heat olive oil with 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until golden on the outside and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
- Lower the heat to medium and melt the remaining butter in the skillet. Add minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring gently to combine and lifting flavorful bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add the cubed Velveeta cheese and stir until melted. Then mix in the shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and cream cheese, continuing to stir until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
- Stir in the onion powder, red pepper flakes (if using), and lemon juice to round out the flavor.
- Add the cooked penne to the skillet and toss until the pasta is well coated in the rich sauce.
- Incorporate the cooked chicken back into the skillet and gently mix everything together, allowing it to heat through for about a minute.
- Serve warm, topped with fresh parsley for a delightful finish.
Notes
To enhance flavor, always salt your pasta water. You can substitute chicken for shrimp or vegetables for a lighter option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: Garlic Herb Chicken Penne, Chicken Alfredo, Creamy Pasta, Family Dinner, Italian Recipes