Description
Tasty Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender bite-sized chicken pieces simmered in a rich sun-dried tomato and Parmesan cream sauce, served over perfectly cooked penne pasta. This comforting recipe combines Italian seasoning, garlic, and fresh basil for a delicious dinner that is both easy to prepare and impressively tasty.
Ingredients
Scale
For the chicken:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken (pounded to even thickness and cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 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 10 oz of penne pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside while you prepare the chicken and sauce.
- Prepare and Cook the Chicken: Cut the chicken into 1-inch bite-sized pieces and season them with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook for 6–8 minutes until they are no longer pink and cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Make the Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce: In the same skillet, melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 2 tsp minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 3 tbsp flour to make a paste. Gradually whisk in 2 cups chicken broth, then add 1 cup heavy cream and 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until smooth. Stir in 1 cup drained sun-dried tomatoes, 1 tsp paprika, and 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until it thickens, stirring occasionally.
- Combine Chicken, Pasta, and Sauce: Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the sauce in the skillet. Stir everything together to coat the chicken and pasta well in the creamy sauce. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the finished dish with torn fresh basil leaves and, if desired, a sprinkle of additional Parmesan cheese just before serving for a burst of fresh flavor and color.
Notes
- Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for the best flavor and texture in the sauce.
- Pounding the chicken to an even thickness ensures even cooking.
- Allow the cream to come to room temperature before adding to avoid curdling.
- You can substitute penne with other pasta types like rigatoni or fusilli if preferred.
- For extra richness, Kerrygold butter is recommended but any unsalted butter will work.
- Fresh basil should be added last to maintain its bright flavor and color.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 32 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Chicken, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta, Chicken Dinner Recipe, Italian Chicken Pasta, Easy Pasta Dinner
