Description
Tasty Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken pieces cooked to perfection and combined with al dente penne pasta in a rich sun-dried tomato cream sauce. Enhanced with Parmesan cheese, garlic, and Italian seasonings, this comforting pasta is garnished with fresh basil for a burst of freshness. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner, it delivers layers of savory richness and vibrant flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
For the chicken:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, pounded to even thickness, cut into 1-inch bite-sized 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 leaves, torn just before serving
- Additional grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil 10 oz penne pasta in a large pot of salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set it aside while you prepare the chicken and sauce.
- Prepare and Cook the Chicken: Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with 0.5 tsp salt and 0.25 tsp pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6–8 minutes until the pieces are no longer pink and cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken onto a plate and set aside.
- Make the Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce: In the same skillet, melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 2 tsp minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 3 tbsp flour to make a roux paste. Gradually whisk in 2 cups chicken broth, then add 1 cup heavy cream and 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until the sauce is smooth and combined. Stir in 1 cup drained sun-dried tomatoes, 1 tsp paprika, and 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until it thickens nicely.
- Combine Chicken, Pasta, and Sauce: Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Stir thoroughly to coat the chicken and pasta evenly with the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding more salt and pepper if desired.
- Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, garnish the dish with torn fresh basil leaves and, optionally, a sprinkle of additional grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor and freshness. Serve immediately for best taste and texture.
Notes
- For best flavor, use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes as they add richness and depth to the sauce.
- Pounding the chicken to an even thickness ensures quicker and more even cooking.
- Make sure the heavy cream is at room temperature before adding to the sauce to prevent curdling.
- Kerrygold butter is recommended for its rich flavor but any quality unsalted butter works well.
- Fresh basil adds a pop of color and aroma; add it right before serving to preserve its freshness.
- You can substitute penne with other pasta shapes like rigatoni or fusilli if preferred.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 32 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Pasta, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Sun-dried Tomato Pasta, Easy Chicken Dinner, Italian Pasta Recipe
