Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken pieces cooked with a blend of Italian spices, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese, all tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an ideal weeknight dinner that’s both comforting and elegant.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz dried pasta of choice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup onion, finely chopped
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 pound chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until they become fragrant and soft, about 3-5 minutes.
- Cook Chicken: Add butter to the skillet along with the bite-sized chicken pieces. Season with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally, until it is browned on all sides and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously and let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Pasta: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, then add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together thoroughly so that the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately while warm for the best flavor experience.
Notes
- Use any dried pasta you prefer such as penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni for versatility.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a cream alternative, but expect a less rich sauce.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil provide a deeper flavor than dry ones. If using dry sun-dried tomatoes, rehydrate in warm water before chopping.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to taste to control the heat level of the dish.
- This recipe can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
