Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken breast strips cooked in a rich sauce of heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil. This irresistible meal combines perfectly seasoned chicken with al dente pasta, making it a perfect comfort food for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped (plus more for garnish)
Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta, cooked al dente
- 2 tablespoons reserved pasta water (optional, for thinning sauce)
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Season the chicken strips with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder thoroughly. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for about 4–5 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add Parmesan cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, paprika, and black pepper. Stir well and let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes until it thickens.
- Combine Everything: Slice the cooked chicken into strips and return it to the skillet with the sauce. Add fresh chopped basil and stir to coat the chicken well in the sauce. Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together until well combined. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen it.
- Serve: Garnish the pasta with additional fresh basil and Parmesan cheese. Serve hot and enjoy this creamy, flavorful pasta dish.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts with chicken thighs for a juicier texture.
- Red pepper flakes are optional; omit if you prefer a milder flavor.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best flavor and smoother melting.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a bright, fresh aroma and taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
