Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe
Introduction
Tasty Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a rich Parmesan sauce with penne pasta. It’s perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or an impressive meal to share with loved ones.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken (pounded to even thickness)
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp pepper
- 10 oz penne pasta
- 1 cup drained sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed for best flavor)
- 3 tbsp butter (Kerrygold recommended for richness)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 cup heavy cream (room temperature)
- 3 tbsp flour
- 2 tsp minced garlic (fresh preferred)
- Fresh basil (torn just before serving)
Instructions
- Step 1: Boil the penne pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Cut the chicken into 1-inch bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6–8 minutes until no longer pink and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in flour to form a paste. Gradually whisk in chicken broth, then add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, stirring until smooth. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until it thickens.
- Step 4: Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the sauce in the skillet. Stir well to coat everything evenly. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
- Step 5: Garnish with torn fresh basil leaves and, if desired, sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese just before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for the richest flavor in the sauce.
- Try substituting penne with rigatoni or fusilli for a different pasta shape.
- For a lighter version, substitute half and half for heavy cream.
- Fresh garlic adds the best flavor, but garlic powder can be used in a pinch.
- Kerrygold butter enhances the richness, but any good-quality unsalted butter works well.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of pounded chicken?
Yes, just cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and tenderness.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute the butter with a dairy-free alternative and use coconut cream or a suitable dairy-free cream substitute. Use a dairy-free Parmesan alternative or nutritional yeast for the cheesy flavor.
Print
Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Total Time: 47 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Tasty Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a rich and creamy dish featuring tender bite-sized chicken pieces cooked in a flavorful sun-dried tomato and Parmesan sauce, combined with perfectly al dente penne pasta and finished with fresh basil for a burst of color and aroma. This comforting Italian-inspired recipe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or a special meal with loved ones.
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken (pounded to even thickness and cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp pepper
For the pasta:
- 10 oz penne pasta
For the sauce:
- 1 cup drained sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed for best flavor)
- 3 tbsp butter (preferably Kerrygold for richness)
- 2 tsp minced garlic (fresh preferred)
- 3 tbsp flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (room temperature)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
For the garnish:
- Fresh basil (torn just before serving)
- Additional Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the penne pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside while you prepare the chicken and sauce.
- Prepare and Cook the Chicken: Cut the chicken into 1-inch bite-sized pieces and season them with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook for 6–8 minutes until they are no longer pink and cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Make the Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the flour to make a paste. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, then add the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until smooth. Stir in the drained sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until it thickens.
- Combine Chicken, Pasta, and Sauce: Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the sauce in the skillet. Stir everything together to coat the chicken and pasta well in the creamy sauce. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the finished dish with torn fresh basil leaves and, if desired, a sprinkle of additional Parmesan cheese just before serving for a bright color and enhanced flavor.
Notes
- Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for best flavor and texture.
- Pound chicken to even thickness to ensure even cooking.
- Allow heavy cream to come to room temperature before adding to avoid curdling.
- Season to taste especially after combining to adjust salt and pepper accordingly.
- Fresh basil adds a fresh aroma and a beautiful color contrast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 32 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: marry me chicken, creamy chicken pasta, sun-dried tomato sauce, penne pasta, easy chicken recipe, Italian pasta dish
