Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a rich and flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender chicken strips cooked in a creamy sun-dried tomato and Parmesan sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. Easy enough for weeknight dinners yet impressive enough for a romantic meal, this recipe combines comforting Italian-inspired flavors into a satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (oil-packed and drained)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp butter
Pasta & Garnish
- 8 oz pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your choice)
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Season Chicken: While the pasta cooks, season the chicken strips with salt, black pepper, and paprika to evenly coat the meat.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken strips and cook until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Make Sauce: Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, heavy cream, red pepper flakes (if using), Italian seasoning, and grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Stir to combine and let the mixture simmer for 4 to 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken strips to the skillet and stir to coat them thoroughly in the creamy sauce.
- Toss Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Toss everything together gently until well combined and heated through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle with chopped fresh basil or parsley, and serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with half-and-half.
- Add fresh spinach to the sauce for extra greens and nutrition.
- This dish reheats well and makes excellent leftovers for the next day.
