Marry Me Chicken Pasta – Rich, Creamy & Delicious Recipe
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a rich, creamy, and delicious dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked with a fragrant blend of spices, sun-dried tomatoes, and a luscious creamy tomato sauce. Paired perfectly with penne pasta and finished with parmesan cheese and fresh basil, this recipe combines comforting flavors with an easy stovetop cooking method, ideal for a satisfying weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 boneless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Pasta
- 1 cup penne pasta
Sauce
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 tsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 onion, minced
- 3 sun-dried tomato halves, chopped
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
Garnish
- 1 tbsp fresh basil leaves
- Additional parmesan cheese for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Spice Mix: Combine garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl to create a flavorful seasoning blend for the chicken.
- Season Chicken: Sprinkle half of the prepared spice mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts and gently rub it in to coat thoroughly, ensuring the chicken absorbs the spices.
- Cook Chicken: Heat the cooking oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and sear them for about 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until just under al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet used for chicken, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced onion and garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Build Sauce Base: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and tomato paste, cooking briefly until aromatic, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir well and add the remaining half of the spice mixture. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 3-5 minutes, letting the flavors meld and the sauce thicken slightly.
- Combine Pasta and Cheese: Add the cooked penne pasta to the sauce along with the grated parmesan cheese. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated by the creamy sauce.
- Slice Chicken: Slice the cooked chicken breasts into strips or bite-sized pieces.
- Serve: Plate the creamy pasta and arrange the chicken slices on top. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and additional parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat leftovers gently with a splash of milk or chicken broth to restore the creamy texture.
- Spinach or mushrooms can be added to the sauce for extra flavor and nutrients.
- Penne can be substituted with rigatoni, linguine, or fettuccine according to preference.
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