Description
A creamy, flavorful Marry Me Chicken Pasta featuring tender chicken breast, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan in a luscious Italian herb cream sauce tossed with penne or fettuccine pasta. This comforting dish is easy to prepare and perfect for a romantic dinner or family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz pasta (penne or fettuccine)
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 lb chicken breast, sliced into thin strips
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Cooking and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (basil, oregano, thyme)
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Cook the Chicken: In a skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the sliced chicken seasoned with salt and pepper and cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Prepare the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and dried Italian herbs. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Add Chicken and Cheese: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and add the grated parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy and rich.
- Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce and all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Serve and Garnish: Plate the creamy chicken pasta and top with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and fragrance. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed before serving hot.
Notes
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for best melting and flavor.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil can enhance flavor; drain lightly before chopping.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut cream.
- This dish can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently to avoid curdling the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 580 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Pasta, creamy chicken pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, Italian pasta recipe, easy chicken dinner
