Print

Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta

creamy marry me chicken pasta - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and cozy creamy chicken pasta dish with a garlicky, velvety sauce perfect for weeknight dinners. This recipe features tender seared chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a luscious cream sauce that clings to your favorite pasta.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound / 450g), sliced into thin cutlets
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup low sodium chicken broth (240ml)
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half (240ml)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 8 ounces pasta (fettuccine, penne, or rigatoni)
  • A handful of fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Slice the chicken breasts into thin cutlets about 1/2 inch thick. Mince the garlic cloves finely, chop the sun-dried tomatoes, and grate the Parmesan cheese. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the pasta.
  2. Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until al dente, about 8-10 minutes depending on pasta type. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  3. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Season chicken slices with salt and pepper. Cook chicken in a single layer until golden and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. Lower heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and red pepper flakes, stirring for 1-2 minutes.
  5. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Let simmer and reduce slightly for about 3 minutes. Stir in heavy cream and Italian seasoning.
  6. Slowly add grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly until melted and sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to reach desired consistency.
  7. Return cooked chicken to the pan and nestle it in the sauce. Add drained pasta and toss gently to coat evenly.
  8. Garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on the side.

Notes

Use fresh garlic for best flavor. Do not overcook chicken to keep it juicy. Add pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Let sauce simmer gently to avoid graininess. Searing chicken adds depth of flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, marry me chicken, easy dinner, cozy meal, garlic cream sauce, weeknight dinner, chicken pasta recipe

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/creamy-marry-me-chicken-pasta-recipe-easy-cozy-dinner-idea/