Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken strips cooked in a rich sauce of heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta and garnished with fresh basil. It’s a comforting main course that combines Italian-inspired flavors with quick stovetop preparation, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
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
- 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
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Pasta and Garnish
- 12 ounces pasta such as penne or rigatoni
- Fresh basil for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Prepare pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside to be added later to the sauce.
- Season the Chicken: In a bowl, season chicken strips evenly with salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken strips and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until browned and thoroughly cooked. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, add butter and minced garlic; sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in chicken broth and heavy cream, then add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Finish the Sauce: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and cook until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and simmer for an additional 2 minutes to meld flavors.
- Toss with Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove from heat, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and serve immediately.
Notes
- For a thicker sauce, allow it to simmer a few extra minutes before adding the pasta.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for a richer, more flavorful result.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil offer the best texture and taste in this recipe.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
