Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Penne for a Quick Dinner Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

To add a touch of color and freshness, consider finishing the dish with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or chives. These herbs provide a bright contrast to the richness of the garlic butter sauce and add an inviting visual element to the final presentation. Ensure the herbs are added only at the very end to maintain their vibrant color and fresh, grassy flavor, which complements the creamy sauce perfectly.

If you enjoy a bit of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes added with the garlic can introduce a subtle warmth that cuts through the creaminess. This is an excellent way to customize the flavor profile of the dish without overpowering the delicate garlic butter notes. Always toast the red pepper flakes briefly with the garlic to release their oils, which ensures a more even distribution of heat throughout the entire sauce.

Variations

• Spinach and Mushroom: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the garlic, and stir in fresh baby spinach leaves just before adding the pasta to wilt them into the sauce.
• Sun-Dried Tomato: Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce for a tangy, concentrated sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the rich garlic butter base.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Reheat

Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water until reaching 165°F (74°C). Avoid high heat to keep the sauce smooth.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent the sauce from drying out. Place the container in the refrigerator within two hours of cooking to ensure food safety.

When stored properly, this creamy chicken penne will stay fresh for up to three days. Avoid storing the dish in a container that is too large, as this increases the exposure to air and can cause the cream sauce to form a film on the surface.

While this dish is best served immediately, you can prepare components in advance to save time. Cook the pasta until just shy of al dente and store it separately from the sauce.

When ready to eat, reheat the sauce in a skillet, add the pre-cooked pasta and chicken, and toss until everything is hot and well-combined. This method ensures the pasta maintains its texture and the sauce remains creamy and delicious even when prepared earlier.

Serving ideas

Serve this creamy garlic butter chicken penne in warm shallow bowls to keep the sauce at the optimal temperature for as long as possible. A warm bowl prevents the cream sauce from cooling and thickening too rapidly, allowing you to enjoy the velvety texture throughout the entire meal.

Pair the dish with a simple side salad of crisp greens and a light vinaigrette to provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the pasta.

For a complete dining experience, offer additional freshly grated parmesan cheese on the side, allowing each person to customize the intensity of the cheesy flavor.

A side of crusty bread is also a perfect addition, as it can be used to soak up any remaining garlic butter sauce left in the bowl. These simple additions enhance the overall meal without distracting from the main focus of the creamy, savory chicken and perfectly cooked penne.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Penne for a Quick Dinner

Prep 10 minCook 20 minRest 5 minTotal 35 minServes 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast, sliced
• 12 oz penne pasta
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup creamy sauce base
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta using a colander, reserving a small amount of pasta water if needed for the sauce consistency.
2. While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breast slices with salt and pepper. Add a small amount of oil to the skillet and cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, ensuring it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest for at least 3 minutes.
3. In the same skillet used for the chicken, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about one minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Pour in the creamy sauce base and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
4. Add the cooked penne pasta and the seared chicken slices back into the skillet with the garlic butter sauce. Toss everything together gently until the pasta and chicken are thoroughly coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water. Serve immediately while hot.

Contains: gluten, milk

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

650

Protein

35 g

Carbohydrates

55 g

Fat

32 g

Fiber

2.5 g

Sugar

3 g

Sodium

650 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.