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Best Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

Best Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

Discover the Best Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe, a creamy and flavorful dish combining tender seared chicken, a rich garlic and sun-dried tomato cream sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in under 40 minutes, this comforting meal is ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or special occasion, offering irresistible flavors and a cozy texture that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Pantry Items

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme mix)
  • Red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)
  • Salt and pepper, to season

Fresh Ingredients

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • Fresh herbs for garnish (basil, parsley, or chives) – optional

Dairy

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Pasta

  • 8 ounces pasta (fettuccine, penne, or favorite variety)

Instructions

  1. Prepare and cook the chicken: Season chicken breasts generously with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chicken. Sear each side for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  2. Build the sauce: In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed and sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes to release their flavor. Pour in chicken broth, scraping any browned bits off the pan bottom.
  3. Make it creamy: Lower the heat, then slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring. Add grated Parmesan and continue stirring until the cheese melts, forming a smooth, silky sauce. Sprinkle in dried Italian herbs and red pepper flakes if using. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  4. Combine pasta and chicken: Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain. Slice the cooked chicken and add it back to the sauce along with the drained pasta. Toss everything gently to coat the pasta and chicken evenly in the delicious creamy sauce.
  5. Final touches before serving: Let the combined pasta and chicken simmer for a minute to absorb all the flavors, then remove from heat. Garnish with freshly chopped herbs or extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

  • Perfectly cook chicken: Avoid overcrowding the pan to get a nice sear and seal in juices.
  • Sauce consistency: Simmer the sauce gently to thicken it without curdling the cream.
  • Use fresh garlic: Fresh garlic has the best flavor; avoid powder to keep the sauce bright.
  • Don’t overcook pasta: Al dente pasta provides the best texture to complement the creamy sauce.
  • Reserve pasta water: Add a splash if the sauce becomes too thick to loosen it up naturally.

Nutrition

Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Pasta, creamy chicken pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, quick chicken dinner, comfort food pasta