Description
This creamy, flavor-packed Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe combines tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a luscious parmesan cream sauce that’s tossed with al dente pasta for the ultimate comfort food experience. Perfect for date nights, special occasions, or when you simply want to impress your loved ones with minimal effort!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1.5 pounds (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
For the Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup (120ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (oil-packed, drained)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Pasta:
- 12 ounces (340g) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your favorite shape)
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- Extra parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining. Drain pasta but do not rinse it.
- Prepare the chicken: While the pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C). Transfer chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Reduce heat to medium-low and add heavy cream, stirring constantly. Add sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes until it starts to thicken slightly. Stir in parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
- Combine everything: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained pasta and toss until everything is well coated in the creamy sauce. If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and additional grated parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the pasta! Keep it al dente as it will continue to cook slightly when added to the hot sauce.
- For extra flavor, deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine before adding the chicken broth.
- Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe tastes best when you use freshly grated parmesan cheese rather than the pre-grated kind, which contains anti-caking agents.
- Let the heavy cream come to room temperature before adding it to the hot pan to prevent curdling.
- For a spicier version, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne pepper.
- To make this dish even more impressive, use a mix of sun-dried and fresh cherry tomatoes for varying textures and flavors.
- If you’re short on time, use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken breasts from scratch.
- Storage & Leftovers: Store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. While you can freeze this dish, the cream sauce may separate slightly upon thawing. For the best texture when reheating, do so gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk or cream to revive the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: marry me chicken pasta recipe, creamy chicken pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, date night dinner, easy pasta recipe, parmesan cream sauce