Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts cooked in a luscious sun-dried tomato and Parmesan cream sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta and garnished with fresh herbs. This comforting American main course is perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or a romantic meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2–3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced or pounded thin)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained and chopped)
Pasta and Garnish
- 8 oz pasta (such as penne or fettuccine)
- Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Prepare the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside while you prepare the sauce and chicken.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Place the chicken in the skillet and sear for 4–5 minutes on each side until golden brown and thoroughly cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using. Sauté for about 30 seconds until the garlic becomes fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any flavorful browned bits stuck to the bottom.
- Simmer Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until it thickens slightly and becomes creamy.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Slice the cooked chicken into strips and return it to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are well coated with the sauce. Simmer for an additional 1–2 minutes to marry the flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley, and serve the dish warm for the best taste and presentation.
Notes
- For extra depth of flavor, use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil and sauté them with the garlic at the beginning.
- You can substitute fresh spinach for added greens by stirring it into the sauce at the end until wilted.
- Chicken thighs may be used instead of breasts for a juicier texture.
- To make this dish gluten-free, substitute the pasta with gluten-free varieties.
