Description
A rich, comforting pasta dish featuring juicy garlic butter chicken topped with melted cheddar and Parmesan, served over creamy, velvety penne pasta.
Ingredients
-
- For the chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the pasta:
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and optional paprika.
- Heat butter and olive oil in a skillet, then sauté garlic until fragrant.
- Sear the chicken on both sides until golden and fully cooked. Remove and keep warm.
- Sprinkle hot chicken with cheddar and Parmesan, allowing it to melt.
- Cook penne pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté more garlic.
- Pour in heavy cream, add Parmesan, and season with salt and pepper. Simmer until thickened.
- Toss the cooked penne in the creamy sauce.
- Slice the chicken and serve on top of the pasta. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
- Add broccoli or spinach for extra vegetables.
- Use mozzarella instead of cheddar for a milder flavor.
- Add crushed red pepper flakes for heat.
- Half-and-half can replace heavy cream for a lighter sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 190mg
