MARRY ME CHICKEN PASTA EASY

What You’ll Need: The Marry Me Chicken Pasta Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed, drained and chopped
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Pasta:

• 1 pound pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or penne work well)
• Salt for pasta water

Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step Instructions for Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
3. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining. This is liquid gold for thickening the sauce later!
4. Drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

1. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Make sure everything is evenly coated.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
3. Add the chicken to the skillet in a single layer (you may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan).
4. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned on all sides. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. Don’t worry about getting a super deep sear – we just want it cooked through!

Step 3: Make the Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

1. In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
2. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
3. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute, stirring occasionally.
4. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. This is where all the flavor is!
5. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 2-3 minutes, allowing the broth to reduce slightly.
6. Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes (if using).
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remember, the Parmesan and sun-dried tomatoes are already salty, so go easy on the salt.
8. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.

Step 4: Combine and Serve

1. Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet with the sauce.
2. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat everything evenly.
3. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
4. Stir in the chopped fresh basil.
5. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.

Troubleshooting Tips: Because We’re All Human!

The sauce is too thick!

Easy fix! Just add a splash of that reserved pasta water. It’s starchy and will thin the sauce out perfectly while keeping it creamy.

The sauce is too thin!

No problem! Simmer the sauce for a few more minutes, allowing it to reduce and thicken naturally. You can also add a little more Parmesan cheese to help thicken it up.

My chicken is dry!

Make sure you don’t overcook the chicken. Cooking it in bite-sized pieces helps it cook quickly and evenly. Also, simmering it in the creamy sauce will help keep it moist.

The pasta is sticking together!

Be sure to cook your pasta al dente (slightly firm to the bite) and toss it with the sauce immediately after draining. A little olive oil drizzled over the drained pasta can also help prevent sticking.

Variations to Make It Your Own

Spice It Up!

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce for a little extra kick. You could even try using a spicy Italian sausage instead of chicken.

Add Veggies!

Sauté some spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers along with the garlic for added nutrients and flavor. Arugula would also be a delicious addition, stirred in at the end.

Make It Cheesy!

Add a sprinkle of mozzarella or provolone cheese to the pasta before serving for an extra cheesy and gooey experience. You can even broil it for a minute or two to get the cheese nice and bubbly.

Try Different Pasta Shapes!

While fettuccine, linguine, and penne are classic choices, feel free to experiment with other pasta shapes like rigatoni, cavatappi, or even tortellini. Consider trying the Crockpot Chicken Tortellini, it is also really delicious.

Serving Suggestions: More Than Just a Pretty Plate

Pair It with a Salad

A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing is the perfect complement to the rich and creamy pasta. The acidity of the dressing will help cut through the richness of the sauce.

Serve with Garlic Bread

Warm, crusty garlic bread is a must-have for soaking up all that delicious sauce. You can even sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor.

Add a Side of Roasted Vegetables

Roasted asparagus, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts would be a healthy and flavorful addition to your meal. The slightly caramelized vegetables will add a nice contrast to the creamy pasta.

Other Recipes You Might Love

If you’re a fan of creamy chicken pasta dishes, you might also enjoy these recipes. The Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta is another flavorful option, and the Smoky Chipotle Cheesy Chicken Pasta brings a bit of heat. For a crispy chicken fix, try the Oven-baked Crispy Parmesan Chicken or the Crispy Parmesan Chicken. Of course, this Marry Me Chicken Pasta is already a winner, in my humble opinion!

A Final Thought: Enjoy Every Bite!

Making this Marry Me Chicken Pasta is more than just following a recipe; it’s about creating a delicious and memorable experience. So, gather your ingredients, put on some music, and get ready to create a dish that will impress your loved ones (or yourself!). Don’t be afraid to experiment with the flavors and make it your own. Happy cooking!

Marry Me Chicken Pasta

This Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken and sun-dried tomatoes in a rich Parmesan sauce. It’s an easy and impressive meal that’s perfect for a romantic dinner or a comforting weeknight treat. Serve over your favorite pasta for a truly unforgettable experience.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian-American

Calories: 750

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon olive oil for chicken
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil for sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed, drained and chopped
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
• 1 pound pasta fettuccine, linguine, or penne
• Salt for pasta water

Equipment

• large pot
• colander
• Medium bowl
• Large skillet or Dutch oven
• measuring cups and spoons
• wooden spoon or spatula
• Serving dishes

Method

 

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
3. Drain the pasta and set aside.
4. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
5. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
6. Add the chicken to the skillet in a single layer and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned on all sides. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
7. In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
8. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
9. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute, stirring occasionally.
10. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
11. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 2-3 minutes, allowing the broth to reduce slightly.
12. Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
13. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
14. Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet with the sauce.
15. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat everything evenly.
16. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
17. Stir in the chopped fresh basil.
18. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.

Notes

For a spicier dish, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce. You can also sauté spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers along with the garlic for added nutrients and flavor. To make it extra cheesy, add a sprinkle of mozzarella or provolone cheese to the pasta before serving and broil for a minute or two. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.