Description
This Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish that combines tender seared chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Ready in just 35 minutes, this easy, restaurant-quality meal is perfect for both weeknight dinners and romantic occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
For the Sauce:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- ¼ cup white wine (optional)
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine
- Salt (for pasta water)
For Garnish:
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook pasta until al dente, according to package instructions.
- Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. Sear the Chicken
- Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked (165°F internal temperature).
- Remove chicken, let rest for a few minutes, then slice into strips.
3. Make the Sauce
- In the same skillet, sauté garlic and red pepper flakes for 30 seconds.
- Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, and thyme.
- Pour in chicken broth and white wine, scraping up browned bits from the pan.
- Add heavy cream and Parmesan, stirring until smooth and creamy.
- Simmer for 3-4 minutes until thickened.
4. Assemble the Pasta
- Return sliced chicken to the skillet.
- Add cooked pasta and toss to coat.
- If needed, add reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
- Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan.
5. Serve and Enjoy
- Serve immediately while warm, pairing with garlic bread or a fresh salad.
Notes
- Protein alternatives: Swap chicken for shrimp, tofu, or plant-based substitutes.
- Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta and a thickening agent like cornstarch instead of flour.
- Dairy-free option: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and use dairy-free cheese.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating tip: Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of cream or broth to keep the sauce smooth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 560 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
Keywords: marry me chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, sun-dried tomato chicken, easy pasta recipe, high protein pasta