Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

Introduction

Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish that’s perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or impressing guests. Tender chicken breasts are simmered in a rich sun-dried tomato and Parmesan sauce, then tossed with your favorite pasta. It’s simple to make but tastes like a special occasion meal.

Ingredients

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced thinly
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil for searing
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional for spice)
• 8 oz pasta such as penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine
• Fresh basil, for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: Season the sliced chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute.
4. Step 4: Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth. Add Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes, if using. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
5. Step 5: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the sauce.
6. Step 6: Garnish with fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious Marry Me Chicken Pasta!

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for a richer flavor; drain them before chopping.
• For extra depth, add a splash of white wine to the sauce before adding cream.
• Swap heavy cream for half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but reduce the cream slightly to prevent curdling.
• Add spinach or sautéed mushrooms for extra veggies and texture.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of cream or broth if the sauce has thickened too much.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different pasta shapes?

Yes, this dish works well with many pasta types such as penne, rigatoni, fettuccine, or even farfalle. Choose your favorite for the best texture.

Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?

You can substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk and use a dairy-free Parmesan alternative or nutritional yeast to keep a cheesy flavor without dairy.

Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 773 reviews

Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce tossed with your favorite pasta. This easy-to-make Italian-inspired recipe balances savory, slightly spicy, and herbaceous flavors, making it a perfect comforting meal for any day of the week.

• Author: Dylan
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Seasonings

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced thinly
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil, for searing

Sauce Ingredients

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional for spice)

Pasta and Garnish

• 8 oz pasta such as penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta of choice and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
2. Season & Sear Chicken: Pat the sliced chicken breasts dry and season them generously with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken slices and sear each side until golden brown and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Sauté Garlic & Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Using the same skillet, reduce heat to medium, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute to release their flavor.
4. Prepare Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Season the sauce with Italian seasoning and, if desired, crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat.
5. Combine Chicken & Pasta: Return the seared chicken slices to the skillet with the sauce. Add the cooked pasta on top and gently toss everything together until the chicken and pasta are fully coated in the creamy sauce.
6. Garnish & Serve: Finish by sprinkling fresh basil leaves and additional Parmesan cheese over the dish. Serve hot and enjoy this rich, flavorful pasta meal.

Notes

• You can substitute chicken breasts with boneless thighs for juicier meat.
• If you prefer a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
• Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes amount to control the spiciness.
• Freshly grated Parmesan is essential for the best flavor and texture in the sauce.
• Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free.

Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Pasta, creamy chicken pasta, dinner recipe, Italian pasta, sun-dried tomato chicken, easy pasta recipe