Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a luscious and creamy pasta dish featuring tender strips of seasoned chicken cooked to perfection and tossed in a rich sauce made with heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes. Enhanced with garlic, Italian herbs, and fresh basil, this comforting and flavorful meal is quick to prepare, making it ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
For Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped (plus more for garnish)
Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta, cooked al dente
- 2 tablespoons reserved pasta water (optional, for thinning sauce)
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Season the chicken strips with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add grated Parmesan cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, paprika, and additional black pepper. Stir well and let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes until it thickens.
- Combine Everything: Slice the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and return it to the skillet with the sauce. Add the fresh basil and stir to coat the chicken evenly. Then add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until well combined. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen it to your desired consistency.
- Serve: Garnish the dish with extra fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese. Serve the pasta hot and enjoy this rich, creamy, and flavorful Marry Me Chicken Pasta.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes based on your preference.
- Sun-dried tomatoes add a tangy sweetness that complements the creamy sauce; you can substitute with fresh tomatoes if preferred, but they won’t provide the same depth of flavor.
- Reserve some pasta water as it helps loosen the sauce and helps it adhere better to the pasta.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best flavor and smooth melting in the sauce.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth or cream to refresh the sauce.
