Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe
A rich, creamy, and flavor-packed dish with tender chicken, a luscious parmesan garlic sauce, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced in half lengthwise)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Pasta
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- Water for boiling
- ½ tsp salt
For Garnish (Optional)
- Fresh basil or parsley (chopped)
- Extra parmesan cheese
Instructions
Cook the Pasta
- Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente.
- Drain and reserve ½ cup pasta water.
Prepare the Chicken
- Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet, cook chicken 4–5 min per side until golden brown (165°F internal temp).
- Remove, rest, then slice into strips.
Make the Sauce
- In the same pan, sauté garlic and red pepper flakes for 30 sec.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes, cook 1–2 min.
- Pour chicken broth, scrape browned bits.
- Stir in cream, parmesan, oregano, and paprika. Simmer 3–4 min.
Combine Everything
- Return chicken to skillet, toss in sauce.
- Add pasta, stir until coated.
- Adjust sauce with reserved pasta water if needed. Simmer 1–2 min.
Garnish & Serve
- Remove from heat, garnish with basil/parsley & parmesan.
Notes
Storage Tips:
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth or cream to maintain the sauce's consistency.
Make-Ahead Option:
- Cook the chicken and sauce in advance, then add freshly cooked pasta before serving for the best texture.
Customizations:
- Swap chicken for shrimp or tofu for a different protein.
- Add spinach or mushrooms for extra veggies.
- Adjust spice level by increasing or omitting red pepper flakes.
Best Pasta Choices:
- Penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine work best as they hold the sauce well.