Description
Get ready for the ultimate comfort dish—Creamy Velveeta Chicken Penne in Garlic Butter Parmesan Sauce. This easy dinner recipe features juicy pan-seared chicken thighs over tender penne pasta smothered in a rich, cheesy Velveeta sauce and finished with a buttery garlic parmesan drizzle. It’s ideal for busy weeknights, indulgent weekend meals, or when you need a crowd-pleaser that doesn’t disappoint. If you’re on the hunt for delicious dinner ideas, quick comfort food, or creamy pasta recipes, this one’s going to be a staple in your kitchen.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper to taste
12 oz penne pasta
Salted water for boiling
2 cups milk
1 tbsp unsalted butter
8 oz Velveeta cheese cubed
1 tsp Dijon mustard
0.25 tsp ground white pepper
3 tbsp unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic finely minced
0.25 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
A pinch red pepper flakes
Extra parmesan cheese
More parsley or basil
Cracked black pepper
Instructions
1. Pat chicken thighs dry. Mix garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, then rub onto the chicken.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken thighs 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
3. Boil penne in salted water until al dente. Reserve 0.5 cup pasta water before draining.
4. In a saucepan, melt butter and stir in milk over low heat. Add Velveeta and whisk until melted. Mix in Dijon mustard and white pepper. Keep warm.
5. In the same skillet used for chicken, melt butter and sauté garlic for 1 minute. Add parmesan, parsley, and red pepper flakes. Stir until glossy.
6. Add drained pasta to cheese sauce and mix to coat.
7. Slice chicken and serve over pasta. Drizzle garlic butter parmesan sauce on top.
8. Garnish with extra parmesan and herbs. Serve hot.
Notes
Use low heat for melting Velveeta to keep the sauce smooth.
Rest the chicken after cooking to lock in juices.
Add a splash of pasta water to adjust sauce consistency when needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, chicken penne, Velveeta recipe, garlic butter, comfort food