Marry Me Chicken Pasta – Rich, Creamy & Delicious Recipe
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a rich and creamy dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked to golden perfection and served over al dente penne pasta drenched in a flavorful sun-dried tomato and parmesan cream sauce. This delicious one-pan meal combines aromatic garlic, onions, and herbs with a hint of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, garnished with fresh basil for a fresh finish. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or cozy weekend feast.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Pasta
Chicken
- 2 boneless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
Spices and Seasoning
- 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
Sauce
- 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 (optional)
- Prepare the spice mixture: In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to create a balanced seasoning blend for the chicken and sauce.
- Season the chicken: Sprinkle half of the prepared spice mixture evenly over both sides of the boneless chicken breasts, gently rubbing it in to ensure the flavors adhere well.
- Cook the chicken: Heat cooking oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for approximately 5 to 6 minutes per side until the chicken is golden brown on the outside and cooked through internally.
- Cook the pasta: While the chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook until just under al dente according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet used for the chicken, melt butter over medium heat. Add the minced onion and garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes and tomato paste: Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and tomato paste, cooking briefly until the mixture is aromatic and melded, about 1-2 minutes.
- Create the sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Add the remaining half of the spice mixture to the skillet. Allow the sauce to simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Combine pasta and cheese: Add the cooked penne pasta and grated parmesan cheese to the skillet with the sauce, stirring well to ensure the pasta is evenly coated in the creamy, flavorful sauce.
- Slice the chicken: Slice the cooked chicken breasts on a cutting board into thin, even pieces, ready to be served atop the pasta.
- Assemble and serve: Place the sliced chicken over the creamy pasta in the skillet or on serving plates. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and an extra sprinkle of parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately to enjoy the 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 broth to restore the creamy texture.
- Spinach or mushrooms can be added to the sauce for extra flavor and nutrients.
- You can substitute penne with rigatoni, linguine, or fettuccine based on preference.
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Pasta, creamy chicken pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, parmesan cream sauce, easy chicken dinner