Description
How to make sticky garlic butter cheddar chicken pasta with tender chicken and bold flavors that creates the perfect cozy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Pasta
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Garlic Butter Base
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
Flavor Builders
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook penne pasta 1-2 minutes less than package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- Brown Chicken: Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 5-6 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Make Garlic Base: Add butter to same skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Don’t let it brown or it’ll taste bitter.
- Create Sauce: Sprinkle flour over garlic butter, whisk constantly for 1 minute. Slowly add chicken broth, then cream, whisking to prevent lumps from forming.
- Add Cheese: Reduce heat to low. Add cheddar and parmesan gradually, stirring until melted and smooth. Season with Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes.
- Combine Everything: Add cooked pasta and chicken back to skillet. Toss everything together, adding pasta water as needed for desired consistency and stickiness.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from heat and stir in fresh parsley and green onions. Let sit 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly before serving while still warm.
Notes
- Don’t let the garlic brown or it will taste bitter and overpower the dish.
- Reserve pasta water before draining; it’s essential for achieving the perfect sauce consistency.
- Add cheese off heat to prevent it from becoming stringy or grainy.
- Use freshly grated cheese for the smoothest melting and best flavor.
- Let the dish rest 2-3 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken properly.
- Leftovers reheat beautifully with a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Protein: 35g