Description
This creamy and flavorful Marry Me Chicken Pasta features juicy chicken in a rich Parmesan sauce with sun-dried tomatoes. Perfect for a cozy dinner or a romantic date night meal!
Ingredients
- Pasta: 8 oz penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni
- Chicken: 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into pieces
- Seasonings: ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- Aromatics: ½ cup onion (chopped), 3-4 cloves garlic (minced)
- Sauce: 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp butter, ½ tsp red pepper flakes, ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped), 1 cup heavy cream, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, ½ cup reserved pasta water
- Garnish: Fresh basil, extra Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 3-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, melt butter and sauté onions until soft. Add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook for 30 seconds.
- Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, then pour in heavy cream and reserved pasta water. Simmer for 3-4 minutes.
- Add Parmesan cheese and mix until the sauce thickens. Return chicken to the pan.
- Toss in cooked pasta and coat well in the sauce.
- Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan before serving.
Notes
- Adjust red pepper flakes for spice preference.
- Substitute half-and-half for a lighter sauce.
- Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American