Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a delightful dish that combines tender chicken pieces with pasta in a creamy sun-dried tomato and Parmesan sauce. It’s quick to prepare and perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- Pasta: 8 ounces penne or rigatoni
- Chicken: 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
- Oil and Butter:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Aromatics:
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- Sauce:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained)
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- Garnish:
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Additional grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
- Sear the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add butter and let it melt. Sauté the chopped onion for about 5 minutes until tender and starting to brown. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Make the Sauce: Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes to thicken slightly.
- Combine: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, along with the cooked pasta. Toss everything together to ensure the chicken and pasta are well coated with the sauce. If needed, add some of the reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce’s consistency.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh basil leaves and additional grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a lighter version, you can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
- Feel free to add fresh spinach or mushrooms for extra vegetables.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level.