Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy and flavorful Italian-American dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a luscious sauce made with heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes. This easy stovetop recipe combines perfectly seasoned chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich, velvety sauce infused with garlic and herbs, garnished with fresh basil or parsley for a comforting and romantic meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (halved lengthwise)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained and chopped)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Pasta and Garnish
- 8 ounces pasta (such as penne or fettuccine)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside while you prepare the chicken and sauce.
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to flavor the meat evenly.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for 4–5 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds, until fragrant but not browned.
- Deglaze and Make Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet. Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and red pepper flakes if using. Simmer the sauce for 3–4 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Slice the cooked chicken into strips and return it to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and gently toss to coat everything evenly in the creamy sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley over the dish for a fresh taste and color. Serve the Marry Me Chicken Pasta warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- For extra flavor, use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil and add a bit of the oil to the sauce.
- You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter sauce.
- This dish pairs beautifully with a side salad or crusty bread for a complete meal.
