Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken pieces simmered in a rich parmesan and sun-dried tomato sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta and garnished with fresh basil. It’s a comforting yet elegant meal perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz dried pasta of choice (about half a standard box)
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 pound chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- Basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Place a large pot of salted water on medium-high heat. Add the dried pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining the pasta and set it aside for the sauce.
- Sauté onions: While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large heavy-duty pan over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add garlic, butter, and chicken: Stir in the minced garlic and butter and sauté for about 30 seconds to release their flavors. Then add the bite-sized chicken pieces along with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook the chicken for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
- Make the sauce: Pour in the heavy cream along with the reserved pasta water. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
- Toss pasta and serve: Add the cooked pasta to the pan and toss thoroughly to coat the noodles with the creamy sauce. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired and serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts with chicken thighs for a juicier result.
- If sun-dried tomatoes are packed in oil, drain them before chopping to avoid thinning the sauce.
- For a lighter option, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spiciness of the dish.
- Reserve pasta water is key to help loosen and blend the sauce with the pasta for perfect consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
