Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a rich and creamy Italian-inspired dish featuring tender, golden-brown chicken breasts served over perfectly cooked pasta, all enveloped in a luscious sun-dried tomato and Parmesan sauce. Enhanced with garlic, Italian seasoning, and a hint of red pepper flakes for subtle heat, this comforting meal is garnished with fresh basil and extra Parmesan cheese for a delightful finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Pasta and Garnish
- 12 ounces pasta (fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti)
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- Additional grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Season and Cook Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken breasts until golden brown on both sides and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove from skillet and set aside to rest.
- Prepare Sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Deglaze the pan by pouring in the chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Stir in heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer the sauce gently until it thickens, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving a small amount of pasta water if needed to adjust sauce consistency.
- Assemble Dish: Slice the rested chicken breasts. Toss the pasta with the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce in the skillet, adding reserved pasta water if necessary to loosen the sauce. Plate the pasta and lay the sliced chicken on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh basil leaves and additional grated Parmesan cheese over the dish. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for desired heat level.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil will add extra richness; if using dry-packed, rehydrate in warm water before chopping.
- Leftover sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute pasta with gluten-free pasta.
