Marry Me Chicken Pasta – Creamy and Flavorful Dinner Recipe
This Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish that’s perfect for a cozy dinner. Tender chicken pieces and penne pasta are coated in a rich parmesan and sun-dried tomato sauce that’s simply irresistible. It’s easy to make and sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 10 ounces penne pasta
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until no longer pink and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Step 4: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in flour to form a paste.
- Step 5: Slowly whisk in chicken broth, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese until smooth.
- Step 6: Add sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Adjust salt and pepper if needed. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until it thickens.
- Step 7: Return the cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet. Stir to coat everything evenly with the sauce.
- Step 8: Garnish with fresh basil leaves and extra parmesan cheese before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for juicier, more flavorful meat.
- Swap penne for fettuccine or rigatoni to change the pasta texture.
- Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- If sun-dried tomatoes are packed in oil, drain well to avoid an overly oily sauce.
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese melts better and enhances the sauce flavor.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream if the sauce has thickened too much.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
Yes, but make sure to fully thaw the chicken before cooking to ensure it cooks evenly and stays tender.
What can I substitute for heavy cream?
You can use half-and-half or whole milk mixed with a bit of melted butter to mimic the creaminess, though the sauce may be slightly less rich.
PrintMarry Me Chicken Pasta – Creamy and Flavorful Dinner Recipe
A creamy and flavorful Marry Me Chicken Pasta dish featuring tender chicken pieces, penne pasta, and a rich parmesan sun-dried tomato sauce, perfect for an indulgent dinner that’s easy to prepare on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken, cut into 1-inch pieces
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
Pasta
- 10 ounces penne pasta
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Additional parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Prepare the 10 ounces of penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to be combined later with the chicken and sauce.
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken into 1-inch bite-sized pieces and season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper for flavor.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Make the Sauce Base: In the same skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Create the Roux: Stir in 3 tablespoons of flour and cook while stirring to form a paste, which will thicken the sauce.
- Add Liquids and Cheese: Gradually whisk in 2 cups chicken broth, followed by 1 cup heavy cream, and then 1 cup grated parmesan cheese, stirring continuously to create a smooth sauce.
- Incorporate Flavorings: Stir in the drained 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, 1 teaspoon paprika, and 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning. Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Simmer the Sauce: Allow the sauce to simmer gently for a few minutes while stirring occasionally until it thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, add the cooked penne pasta, and stir well to coat every piece evenly with the rich sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil leaves and additional parmesan cheese over the top before serving, enhancing both flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For extra heat, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the garlic.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil can add more richness; if using, reduce the amount of olive oil used for cooking the chicken.
- Parmesan cheese should be freshly grated for the best flavor and smooth melting in the sauce.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Pasta, creamy chicken pasta, penne pasta recipe, sun-dried tomato chicken, parmesan pasta dinner
