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A creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta dish in a white bowl, featuring golden-browned chicken, penne pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil, sprinkled with grated parmesan cheese.

Irresistibly Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 919 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 chicken breasts, boneless & skinless
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 1/2 cup pasta water, reserved
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 12 oz penne, cooked al dente
  • Fresh basil, for garnish

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

  • Fill a large pot with generously salted water, bring it to a boil, and cook the pasta following the package instructions until it reaches an al dente texture.
  • Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat before adding the chicken. Generously season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to enhance the flavor.
  • Cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes per side or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit using a meat thermometer.
  • Take the chicken out of the skillet and allow it to rest for a few minutes before slicing to retain its juices.

Step 2: Make the Sauce

  • Using the same skillet, melt the butter and lower the heat to medium-low.
  • Sauté the onion for about 2 minutes, then stir in the garlic and cook until it becomes aromatic.
  • Mix in the sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, and red pepper flakes, letting them cook for 1-2 minutes to develop their flavors.
  • Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring well to blend. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.

Step 3: Combine Everything

  • Place the chicken back into the skillet, allowing it to simmer gently in the creamy garlic sauce for a few minutes to absorb the flavors.
  • Incorporate the pasta into the skillet, stirring thoroughly to ensure every piece is coated in the rich, creamy sun-dried tomato sauce.
  • Top the pasta with freshly grated parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh basil for an extra layer of flavor.
    Side-by-side images of a Marry Me Chicken Pasta being prepared in a white-handled skillet. The left image shows a creamy tomato-based sauce with tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and shredded parmesan cheese. The right image displays rigatoni pasta added to the skillet, ready to be mixed into the rich sauce.