Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a rich and creamy dish featuring tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan in a luscious sauce. Perfect for date nights or special occasions, this easy stovetop recipe is guaranteed to impress!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Sauce:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried basil)
For the Pasta:
- 8 ounces fettuccine, penne, or your pasta of choice
- Salt (for boiling pasta water)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
- Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally to create thin cutlets.
- Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Sear the chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Pasta
- Boil salted water in a large pot and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Sauce
- In the same skillet used for the chicken, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and stir for 1 minute.
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring well.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning, allowing the sauce to thicken for 2–3 minutes.
- Slice the cooked chicken into strips and return to the skillet. Simmer for another 2 minutes.
Step 4: Combine and Serve
- Toss the cooked pasta into the skillet, coating it in the sauce. If needed, add reserved pasta water for extra creaminess.
- Garnish with fresh basil and more Parmesan if desired.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Spicy Version – Increase red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne.
- Mushroom Addition – Sauté sliced mushrooms with the garlic for an earthy flavor.
- Dairy-Free – Use coconut cream and nutritional yeast instead of heavy cream and Parmesan.
- Protein Swap – Try shrimp or salmon instead of chicken.
- Low-Carb Option – Serve the sauce over zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: dinner pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken, creamy chicken pasta, romantic dinner recipe, easy pasta dish, date night pasta