Description
Tasty Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish combining tender seasoned chicken with penne pasta in a rich sun-dried tomato and Parmesan cream sauce, finished with fresh basil for a vibrant touch. Perfect for an indulgent yet approachable weeknight meal.
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)
- 3 tbsp butter (Kerrygold recommended)
- 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 leaves, torn just before serving
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil the penne pasta in a large pot of salted water following the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside while preparing chicken and sauce.
- Prepare the chicken: Cut chicken into 1-inch bite-sized pieces, season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, add chicken pieces, and cook for 6–8 minutes until no longer pink and cooked through. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in flour to create a paste. Gradually whisk in chicken broth, then add heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until smooth. Stir in drained sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Let simmer until sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine chicken, pasta, and sauce: Add cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Stir well to coat all ingredients evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle torn fresh basil leaves over the dish just before serving. Optionally, add extra Parmesan cheese for garnish and flavor.
Notes
- Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for the best flavor and texture.
- Ensure the chicken is pounded to even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Let the sauce simmer gently to avoid curdling the cream.
- Use room temperature heavy cream to prevent sauce separation.
- Fresh basil should be added last for the best aroma and color.
- 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, Italian Chicken Pasta, Comfort Food
