Description

Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a deliciously creamy and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken pieces and al dente penne pasta tossed in a rich sun-dried tomato and Parmesan cream sauce, garnished with fresh basil for a vibrant finish. This dish combines savory herbs, garlic, and paprika for a comforting, restaurant-quality meal that’s perfect for any night of the week.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken

1 tbsp olive oil
1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken, pounded to even thickness
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 (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)

For the Garnish

Fresh basil, torn just before serving

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 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 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 Pasta and Chicken with 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. Adding fresh basil at the end gives a burst of color and flavor.

Notes

Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for best flavor and texture in the sauce.
Ensure the heavy cream is at room temperature to avoid curdling when added to the hot sauce.
Pounding the chicken to an even thickness ensures even cooking.
Fresh basil added just before serving enhances aroma and presentation.
You can substitute penne with other short pasta varieties like rigatoni or fusilli if preferred.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 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 dish, one skillet pasta