Description
Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a luscious Italian-American dish combining tender bite-sized chicken pieces with a rich, creamy sauce made from heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes. Tossed with al dente pasta and fresh spinach, this easy stovetop recipe offers a comforting, flavorful meal perfect for a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Pasta
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
Sauce and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Greens and Garnish
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside, keeping it ready for the sauce.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and fully cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to combine all the flavors.
- Create Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Allow it to cook until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
- Incorporate Cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and continue cooking until the cheese melts completely and the sauce is creamy and well combined.
- Combine Chicken and Greens: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet. Add the baby spinach and cook until the spinach wilts, stirring gently to mix.
- Toss Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together to ensure the pasta is well coated in the creamy sauce.
- Finish and Serve: Sprinkle with fresh chopped basil. Serve the creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta warm and enjoy.
Notes
- Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor and richness in the sauce.
- To make a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, noting that the sauce will be less rich and creamy.
- Add vegetables like mushrooms or roasted red peppers to enhance texture and flavor.
