Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, savory dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked to juicy perfection, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce tossed with your choice of pasta. Easy to prepare and full of indulgent flavors, this comforting recipe is perfect for weeknights or special occasions and customizable to your taste preferences.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free (when using gluten-free pasta)
Protein
- 2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Pasta
- 8 ounces pasta (penne or fettuccine)
Garnishes
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken until golden brown on each side and cooked through. Remove from skillet and let rest.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the pan drippings. Sauté briefly until fragrant. Add chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Simmer gently until the sauce thickens and becomes velvety.
- Cook the Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water.
- Combine and Finish: Slice the rested chicken and add it back into the sauce. Toss the drained pasta into the skillet with the sauce and chicken, mixing gently to coat everything well. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually to reach desired consistency.
Notes
- Ensure chicken is dry before cooking to achieve a golden crust and juicy interior.
- Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed without diluting flavor.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melting and flavor; pre-grated can affect texture.
- Simmer the sauce slowly to achieve a rich, creamy consistency.
- Allow chicken to rest before slicing to keep it tender and juicy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Pasta, creamy chicken pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, Parmesan cream sauce, easy chicken dinner, comfort food pasta