Description
Indulge in the rich and creamy goodness of Creamy Cheddar Parmesan Chicken Penne, a delightful dish that brings together tender chicken, perfectly cooked penne pasta, and a luscious cheese sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or special family gatherings, this recipe boasts a quick prep time of just 30 minutes and is sure to please everyone at the table. Its versatility allows you to enjoy it as a standalone meal or paired with a light side salad for an extra touch. With its mouthwatering flavors and satisfying texture, this dish is destined to become a household favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thick bite-size pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1¼ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ tsp paprika (optional)
- Crushed red pepper flakes, optional
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Cook penne pasta in boiling salted water until al dente; drain and set aside.
- Pat the chicken pieces dry. Season them evenly with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Sear chicken until golden brown and cooked through; set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium; add remaining butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant.
- Stir in heavy cream and milk; let simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Gradually add cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, stirring until smooth.
- Toss cooked penne in the sauce until well coated; serve with seared chicken on top.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 120mg