Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken pieces cooked with Italian seasoning, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese, all tossed with perfectly al dente pasta. This quick and comforting meal is garnished with fresh basil for a fresh touch, ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz dried pasta of choice (half standard box)
Chicken & Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 pound chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
Garnish
- Basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Place a large pot of salted water on medium-high heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Sauté Onions: While pasta is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large heavy-duty pan over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Add Garlic and Chicken: Add the minced garlic and butter to the pan, sauté for 30 seconds. Then add the chicken pieces along with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until the chicken is browned and fully cooked through.
- Create the Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream, reserved pasta water, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Taste and adjust salt if necessary.
- Toss Pasta and Garnish: Add the drained pasta to the pan, tossing thoroughly to combine with the sauce and chicken. Garnish with fresh chopped basil leaves. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to help loosen the sauce and enhance its creaminess.
- Use chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces for quicker cooking and better sauce coverage.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred level of spiciness.
- Fresh basil garnish adds brightness and freshness to the rich dish.
- Parmesan cheese can be substituted with Pecorino Romano for a sharper flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
