Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts tossed with pasta in a luscious Parmesan and sun-dried tomato sauce. Enhanced with garlic, Italian seasoning, and a hint of crushed red pepper flakes for a gentle kick, this recipe is perfect for an impressive yet easy weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced thinly
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, for searing
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Pasta and Garnish
- 8 ounces pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine)
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside while preparing the sauce.
- Season & Sear Chicken: Season the sliced chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken slices and sear until golden brown and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic & Sun-Dried Tomatoes: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Then stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute to release their flavors.
- Prepare Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and add the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy. Season the sauce with Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
- Combine Chicken & Pasta: Return the seared chicken to the skillet, then add the cooked pasta. Toss everything together to ensure the pasta and chicken are evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
- Garnish & Serve: Garnish the dish generously with fresh basil leaves and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve the pasta hot for a rich and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Side Salad: A fresh green salad with tangy vinaigrette pairs well with the richness of the pasta.
- Garlic Bread or Breadsticks: Perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce on the plate.
- Steamed Vegetables: Light steamed broccoli, green beans, or asparagus add freshness and color contrast to the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: marry me chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, easy chicken dinner, Italian pasta recipe
