Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken Penne is a rich and creamy pasta dish featuring tender Cajun-seasoned chicken, smoky Gouda, Parmesan, and a buttery garlic cream sauce—perfect for a comforting and flavorful weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (plus more to taste)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded smoked Gouda cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Cook penne pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add chicken and season with Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 6–8 minutes until golden and fully cooked. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the same skillet and sauté for 30 seconds.
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits. Add heavy cream and softened cream cheese, whisking until smooth.
- Stir in Gouda, Parmesan, and mozzarella until melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Add Italian seasoning and half the chopped parsley. Mix in the cooked chicken.
- Add drained pasta and stir until well coated. Simmer for 2–3 minutes to thicken.
- Adjust seasoning to taste. Garnish with remaining parsley and extra Parmesan before serving.
Notes
- Add red pepper flakes for more heat.
- Swap Gouda with fontina or provolone for a twist.
- Stir in spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for added color and nutrition.
- Use half-and-half for a lighter cream base.
- Let sauce simmer gently to prevent separation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 630
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
