Description
Delicious and creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta featuring tender chicken pieces simmered in a rich sun-dried tomato cream sauce, served over perfectly cooked penne pasta and garnished with fresh basil for a burst of flavor and color.
Ingredients
Scale
For the chicken:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken, pounded to even thickness
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp pepper
For the pasta:
- 10 oz penne pasta
For the sauce:
- 1 cup drained sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed for best flavor)
- 3 tbsp butter (preferably Kerrygold for richness)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 cup heavy cream (room temperature)
- 3 tbsp flour
- 2 tsp minced garlic (fresh preferred)
For the garnish:
- Fresh basil (torn just before serving)
- Additional Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the penne pasta in a large pot of salted water following package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside while preparing the chicken and sauce.
- Prepare and Cook the Chicken: Cut the chicken into 1-inch bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 6–8 minutes until no longer pink and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Make the Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in flour to create a paste. Gradually whisk in chicken broth, then add heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until smooth. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until thickened, creating a rich and creamy base.
- Combine Chicken, Pasta, and Sauce: Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta into the skillet with the sauce. Stir thoroughly to coat everything evenly in the creamy sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the dish with torn fresh basil leaves and optionally sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese just before serving for a fresh, flavorful finish.
Notes
- Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for best flavor and texture.
- Make sure the chicken is pounded to an even thickness before cutting for even cooking.
- Allow the sauce to simmer until it thickens to achieve the perfect creamy consistency.
- Fresh basil added just before serving adds vibrant color and a fragrant aroma.
- Optional extra Parmesan cheese enhances richness if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 32 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Chicken, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Pasta, creamy chicken pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, Italian chicken pasta, easy dinner recipes
