If you love creamy pasta dishes with bold garlic flavor, tender chicken, and savory sausage, this Creamy Sausage Garlic Chicken Penne Pasta is the perfect comfort meal. Juicy chicken pieces and flavorful Italian sausage are cooked together with garlic, herbs, cream, Parmesan, and perfectly cooked penne pasta to create a rich and satisfying dinner.
This recipe combines the best parts of a restaurant-style pasta dish with the convenience of a homemade meal. The creamy garlic sauce coats every piece of pasta, while the sausage adds a deep savory flavor and the chicken makes the dish hearty enough for the whole family.
Perfect for busy weeknights, date nights, family dinners, or meal prep, this creamy penne pasta is a dish everyone will come back to.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Sausage Garlic Chicken Penne Pasta
It combines chicken and sausage for extra flavor.
The creamy garlic Parmesan sauce is rich and comforting.
The pasta absorbs all the savory flavors from the sauce.
It is easy to customize with vegetables.
Everything comes together in under an hour.
It reheats beautifully for leftovers.
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Sausage
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
- 12 ounces Italian sausage, casings removed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt for pasta water
For the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1½ cups heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
Optional Add-Ins
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes
- ½ cup crispy bacon pieces
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
For Garnishing
- Fresh parsley
- Extra Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil
- Cracked black pepper
- Red pepper flakes
How to Make Creamy Sausage Garlic Chicken Penne Pasta
1. Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
Add salt.
Cook the penne according to package instructions until al dente.
Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Set the pasta aside.
2. Prepare the Chicken
Pat the chicken dry.
Season with:
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Smoked paprika
- Italian seasoning
- Black pepper
Toss until evenly coated.
3. Cook the Sausage
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the Italian sausage.
Break it apart with a wooden spoon.
Cook for approximately 5–7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
Remove sausage from the skillet and set aside.
4. Cook the Chicken
Add olive oil and butter to the same skillet.
Add seasoned chicken pieces.
Cook for approximately 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through.
The chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) internally.
Remove and set aside.
5. Sauté the Aromatics
Reduce heat to medium.
Add butter.
Add diced onion.
Cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
Add garlic.
Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
6. Build the Creamy Sauce
Pour in chicken broth.
Scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
Add heavy cream.
Stir gently.
7. Add Seasonings
Add:
- Dijon mustard
- Italian seasoning
- Thyme
- Black pepper
Simmer for 3–5 minutes.
8. Add Parmesan
Lower the heat.
Slowly add Parmesan cheese while stirring.
Continue until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
9. Add Chicken and Sausage Back
Return cooked chicken and sausage to the skillet.
Stir to combine.
10. Add Optional Vegetables
If using spinach, mushrooms, or tomatoes, add them now.
Cook until vegetables are tender.
11. Combine With Pasta
Add cooked penne.
Toss until every piece is coated in the creamy sauce.
12. Adjust Consistency
If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time.
If too thin, simmer for a few more minutes.
13. Taste and Adjust
Add more:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Parmesan
- Red pepper flakes
as needed.
14. Garnish
Top with:
- Fresh parsley
- Parmesan
- Basil
- Black pepper
15. Serve
Serve immediately while the sauce is creamy and warm.
What to Serve With Creamy Sausage Garlic Chicken Penne Pasta
This pasta is hearty enough on its own but pairs beautifully with:
Bread
- Garlic bread
- Cheesy garlic bread
- Dinner rolls
- Herb biscuits
Salads
- Caesar salad
- Italian salad
- Garden salad
- Arugula salad
Vegetables
- Roasted broccoli
- Garlic asparagus
- Green beans
- Roasted zucchini
Soups
- Tomato basil soup
- Creamy vegetable soup
- Chicken soup
Tips for the Best Creamy Sausage Garlic Chicken Penne Pasta
Use Fresh Parmesan
Freshly grated Parmesan melts smoothly into the sauce.
Save Pasta Water
The starch helps loosen and bind the sauce.
Brown the Sausage Well
Golden sausage adds deeper flavor.
Avoid Overcooking Chicken
Chicken should stay juicy and tender.
Cook Pasta Al Dente
The pasta continues cooking slightly when mixed with the sauce.
Keep Sauce Heat Gentle
High heat can cause cream sauces to separate.
Let the Pasta Rest
A few minutes after mixing allows the sauce to cling better.
Easy Recipe Variations
Spicy Cajun Sausage Chicken Pasta
Add Cajun seasoning and extra red pepper flakes.
Tuscan Sausage Chicken Pasta
Add:
- Spinach
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Basil
for a Tuscan-inspired version.
Mushroom Garlic Chicken Pasta
Add sautéed mushrooms for an earthy flavor.
Bacon Parmesan Chicken Pasta
Add crispy bacon pieces before serving.
Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Pasta
Add steamed broccoli and a little cheddar cheese.
Tomato Garlic Sausage Pasta
Add crushed tomatoes for a creamy tomato sauce.
Low-Carb Version
Replace pasta with:
- Zucchini noodles
- Spaghetti squash
- Cauliflower rice
Make-Ahead Instructions
The chicken and sausage can be cooked up to 2 days ahead.
The sauce can be prepared ahead and gently reheated.
Cook pasta fresh when possible for the best texture.
If preparing the entire dish ahead, reserve extra sauce because pasta absorbs liquid as it sits.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow pasta to cool completely.
Transfer to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
Reheating on the Stovetop
Add pasta to a skillet.
Add a splash of:
- Milk
- Cream
- Chicken broth
Warm gently until creamy again.
Reheating in the Microwave
Heat in short intervals.
Stir between each interval.
Add a splash of liquid if needed.
Freezing Instructions
Cream-based pasta can be frozen, although the sauce texture may change slightly.
Cool completely.
Store in freezer-safe containers.
Freeze for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat slowly with additional cream or broth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes. Chicken thighs add extra moisture and flavor.
What sausage works best?
Italian sausage is ideal, but chicken sausage, turkey sausage, or spicy sausage also work.
Can I use another pasta shape?
Yes. Rigatoni, fettuccine, bowtie pasta, or spaghetti all work well.
Why is my cream sauce too thick?
Pasta absorbs sauce as it sits. Add pasta water, milk, or cream to loosen it.
Can I make this without sausage?
Yes. Increase the chicken or add mushrooms for extra flavor.
Can I make it spicy?
Add hot Italian sausage, chili flakes, or Cajun seasoning.
Can I add vegetables?
Absolutely. Spinach, mushrooms, broccoli, and sun-dried tomatoes work beautifully.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Sausage Garlic Chicken Penne Pasta combines tender chicken, flavorful Italian sausage, garlic, herbs, Parmesan, cream, and perfectly cooked penne into one unforgettable comfort meal.
The key is browning the sausage and chicken for maximum flavor, keeping the cream sauce smooth over gentle heat, and tossing the pasta while it is still warm so every bite is coated.
Serve it with garlic bread and a fresh salad for a restaurant-quality pasta dinner that is creamy, savory, hearty, and perfect for any occasion.