Amazing 1-Hour Garlic Butter Chicken Penne

Name: Amazing 1-Hour Garlic Butter Chicken Penne
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American-Italian
Ingredients: 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for chicken); 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; Salt, to taste; Black pepper, to taste; 12 ounces penne pasta; Water, for boiling; Salt, for pasta water; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for sauce); 1 cup heavy cream; 0.5 cup cream cheese, cubed and softened; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder; 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional); 0.5 cup reserved pasta water; Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish); Extra grated Parmesan (optional)

by Jannet Lisa

11 de September de 2025

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Garlic Butter Chicken Penne has become my absolute go-to for a quick, satisfying weeknight meal, and I’m so excited to share it with you! I first tried making a creamy chicken penne with garlic butter sauce years ago, hoping for something restaurant-worthy that I could whip up fast. The aroma of garlic and butter sizzling in the pan, followed by the creamy, cheesy sauce coating perfectly cooked penne and tender chicken, is pure comfort. This easy garlic butter chicken penne recipe is incredibly versatile and always a hit. Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Chicken Penne

You’re going to adore this Garlic Butter Chicken Penne for so many reasons! It’s:

Incredibly flavorful with a rich garlic butter sauce.
Super quick to make, perfect for busy weeknights.
Comfort food at its finest – satisfying and delicious.
A fantastic way to enjoy creamy chicken penne with garlic butter.
Impressive enough for guests, yet easy for beginners.
Versatile; you can easily adapt it with your favorite veggies.
A classic chicken penne with garlic butter sauce that never disappoints.
A truly simple garlic butter chicken penne recipe that’s hard to mess up.

Ingredients for Garlic Butter Chicken Penne

Gather these goodies for the most delicious garlic butter chicken pasta you’ve ever made!

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced – cut into bite-sized pieces for quick cooking.
1 tablespoon olive oil – the base for sautéing our aromatics.
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for chicken) – adds richness to the chicken as it cooks.
4 cloves garlic, minced – the star flavor! Don’t be shy with the garlic.
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning – a blend that perfectly complements chicken and pasta.
Salt, to taste – essential for bringing out all the flavors.
Black pepper, to taste – a touch of spice to round things out.
12 ounces penne pasta – the perfect shape to hold all that creamy sauce.
Water, for boiling – you’ll need a big pot for this!
Salt, for pasta water – seasons the pasta as it cooks.
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for sauce) – creating the luscious base for our creamy sauce.
1 cup heavy cream – this is what makes our sauce so decadent.
0.5 cup cream cheese, cubed and softened – it adds extra creaminess and helps the sauce emulsify beautifully for a smooth chicken penne with garlic butter sauce.
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese – for that classic cheesy pull.
0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese – adds a sharp, nutty flavor.
0.25 teaspoon garlic powder – an extra punch of garlic goodness.
0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional) – for a hint of heat.
0.5 cup reserved pasta water – liquid gold for achieving the perfect sauce consistency!
Chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish) – adds a pop of color and freshness.
Extra grated Parmesan (optional) – because you can never have too much cheese!

How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken Penne

Let’s get this delicious garlic butter chicken pasta on your table! It’s simpler than you think.

Step 1: Start by bringing a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add your 12 ounces penne pasta and cook according to package directions until it’s perfectly al dente. Before you drain it, make sure to reserve about ½ cup of that glorious pasta water – it’s our secret weapon for a silky sauce!
Step 2: While the pasta cooks, grab a large skillet. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and shimmering, add your 4 cloves of minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant – be careful not to burn it, or it gets bitter!
Step 3: Now, add your 1 lb of sliced chicken breasts to the skillet. Season it generously with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sauté the chicken, stirring occasionally, until it’s cooked through and has a beautiful golden-brown color, which usually takes about 5-6 minutes. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
Step 4: In the same skillet (no need to wash it!), melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium-low heat. Pour in the 1 cup of heavy cream and let it warm through gently. This is the start of our incredibly creamy sauce for this creamy chicken penne with garlic butter.
Step 5: Add the 0.5 cup of cubed, softened cream cheese to the skillet. Stir it constantly until it’s completely melted and the sauce is starting to look smooth and luscious.
Step 6: Stir in the 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese and 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Keep stirring over low heat. The cheeses will melt into the cream, creating a beautifully thick and cheesy sauce.
Step 7: Season your sauce with 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder, 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (if you like a little heat!), and more salt and pepper to taste. Give it a good stir to combine all those amazing flavors.
Step 8: This is where the magic happens! Gradually stir in the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until you reach your desired sauce consistency. It should be thick enough to coat the pasta but still pourable.
Step 9: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and add the drained penne pasta. Toss everything gently until the pasta and chicken are thoroughly coated in that dreamy garlic butter sauce. This step truly brings together the butter garlic chicken penne dish.
Step 10: Serve your gorgeous garlic butter chicken penne dinner immediately. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and extra grated Parmesan cheese if you’re feeling fancy!

Pro Tips for the Best Garlic Butter Chicken Penne

Want to elevate your garlic butter chicken pasta game? Here are a few tricks I’ve picked up that make all the difference:

Use freshly grated Parmesan and mozzarella if you can. Pre-shredded cheeses often have anti-caking agents that can make your sauce a bit grainy. The fresh stuff melts so much smoother for a perfect creamy garlic butter chicken penne.
Don’t skip reserving the pasta water! It’s starchy and salty, which is exactly what you need to help emulsify the sauce, making it rich and glossy and ensuring everything coats the penne perfectly. For more tips on cooking pasta, check out this guide on how long to boil chicken breast, which often involves similar pasta cooking techniques.
Keep the heat low when you add the cheeses. If the sauce gets too hot, the cheese can separate and become oily or clumpy. Gentle heat is key for that luscious texture.

What’s the secret to perfect Garlic Butter Chicken Penne?

The real secret to a perfect garlic butter chicken pasta recipe is building flavor in layers. Don’t rush sautéing the garlic and chicken, and definitely use that reserved pasta water to bring the creamy sauce together. It makes all the difference for that rich, authentic taste.

Can I make Garlic Butter Chicken Penne ahead of time?

You can prepare the chicken and sauce separately a day in advance and store them in airtight containers in the fridge. Reheat gently on the stovetop, then toss with freshly cooked pasta. This makes it a truly quick garlic butter chicken penne for weeknights.

How do I avoid common mistakes with Garlic Butter Chicken Penne?

A couple of pitfalls to watch out for: overcooking the pasta (it gets mushy when tossed in sauce) and overheating the cheese, which can cause a grainy sauce. Always cook pasta al dente and keep the sauce heat low when adding cheese. For more ideas on quick dinners, you might like these 7 creamy chicken pasta recipes.

Best Ways to Serve Garlic Butter Chicken Penne

This decadent garlic butter chicken pasta is a meal in itself, but it truly shines when paired with a few simple sides. I love serving it with a crisp green salad tossed with a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness. Steamed or roasted broccoli or asparagus also make fantastic additions, adding a fresh, vibrant element to your chicken penne with garlic butter sauce. For a truly Italian-inspired experience, a side of crusty garlic bread is always a winner to sop up any extra delicious sauce! If you enjoy garlic and cheese, you might also like our cheesy breadsticks recipe.

Nutrition Facts for Garlic Butter Chicken Penne

Let’s look at what you get in a hearty serving of this delicious garlic butter chicken pasta. It’s a satisfying meal that’s packed with flavor!

Calories: 720 kcal
Fat: 42g
Saturated Fat: 21g
Protein: 40g
Carbohydrates: 48g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 590mg

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific ingredients used in your homemade garlic butter chicken penne. For more healthy dinner ideas, explore our dinner recipes.

Amazing 1-Hour Garlic Butter Chicken Penne - Garlic Butter Chicken Penne - serving suggestion with garnish

How to Store and Reheat Garlic Butter Chicken Penne

Leftovers of this amazing garlic butter chicken pasta are a treat, but proper storage is key! Once your chicken penne with garlic butter sauce has cooled down completely, transfer it into airtight containers. It will keep well in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. If you want to stock up for even longer, this dish freezes beautifully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags, and it should last for up to 3 months. For reheating, the best way to revive your creamy chicken penne with garlic butter is on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or chicken broth if it seems a bit dry, ensuring it’s just as delicious as when it was freshly made.

Frequently Asked Questions About Garlic Butter Chicken Penne

What’s the secret to perfect Garlic Butter Chicken Penne?

Can I make Garlic Butter Chicken Penne ahead of time?

How do I avoid common mistakes with Garlic Butter Chicken Penne?

A couple of pitfalls to watch out for with this creamy garlic butter chicken penne: overcooking the pasta (it gets mushy when tossed in sauce) and overheating the cheese, which can cause a grainy sauce. Always cook pasta al dente and keep the sauce heat low when adding cheese to ensure a smooth chicken penne with garlic butter sauce.

Can I add vegetables to my Garlic Butter Chicken Penne?

Absolutely! This garlic butter chicken pasta with penne is fantastic with added vegetables. Sautéed spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, or broccoli florets can be added along with the chicken in Step 3 for a complete meal.

Variations of Garlic Butter Chicken Penne You Can Try

This garlic butter chicken pasta is wonderfully adaptable! If you’re looking for a lighter take, try using chicken thighs instead of breasts, or swap out some of the heavy cream for milk to create a lighter sauce. For a vegetarian option, simply omit the chicken and add sautéed mushrooms and zucchini; it’s a delicious way to enjoy a creamy chicken penne with garlic butter. You can also amp up the flavor by adding a splash of white wine to the sauce before the cream, or by incorporating sundried tomatoes for a vibrant, tangy twist on your homemade garlic butter chicken penne. For other pasta dishes, consider trying our creamy garlic beef pasta or garlic parmesan chicken tortellini.