Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, comforting dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection and tossed in a luscious sauce made of heavy cream, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh herbs. Combined with al dente pasta, this irresistibly rich and flavorful meal is ready in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped (plus more for garnish)
Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta, cooked al dente
- 2 tablespoons reserved pasta water (optional, for thinning sauce)
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Season the chicken strips evenly with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chicken strips in a single layer, cooking them for about 4–5 minutes per side until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth while stirring to combine. Add the grated Parmesan cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, paprika, and black pepper. Stir well and let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Combine Everything: Slice the cooked chicken into strips if needed and return them to the skillet with the sauce. Add the chopped fresh basil and stir to coat the chicken evenly in the creamy sauce. Then, add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until well combined. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Serve: Garnish the dish with additional fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan cheese for a beautiful presentation. Serve hot and enjoy this creamy, flavorful Marry Me Chicken Pasta immediately.
Notes
- Use fresh basil for the best flavor, but dried basil can be used in a pinch.
- Sun-dried tomatoes add a tangy sweetness; make sure they are chopped finely to distribute their flavor evenly.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your spice preference or omit for a milder dish.
- For a lighter version, substituting half-and-half for heavy cream will reduce fat content but may impact sauce thickness.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten free if needed.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining to help loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
