Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken strips cooked with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese in a rich sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked penne or rigatoni pasta. This comforting and easy-to-make recipe is ideal for a family dinner or special occasion and garnished with fresh basil for a fresh finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce and Pasta
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 ounces pasta such as penne or rigatoni
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Garnish
- Fresh basil for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Season the Chicken: In a bowl, season the chicken strips evenly with salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning to infuse bold flavors.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken strips and cook them for 5 to 7 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and place on a plate.
- Sauté Garlic and Make Sauce Base: Reduce the heat to medium, add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Liquids and Tomatoes: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Then stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and red pepper flakes to provide a subtle heat. Let the sauce simmer gently over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes to meld flavors and slightly reduce.
- Thicken the Sauce: Add grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet and stir continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return cooked chicken strips to the skillet and simmer together for an additional 2 minutes to heat through and absorb the sauce’s flavors.
- Toss with Pasta: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything until the pasta is fully coated in the creamy sauce and evenly distributed with chicken and tomatoes.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove from heat and garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving immediately for a fragrant and tasty finish.
Notes
- For a thicker sauce, allow the sauce to simmer a few extra minutes before adding the pasta.
- Substitute chicken thighs for a richer, more flavorful protein option.
- Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for the best texture and enhanced flavor.
