Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

Introduction

Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken with a creamy, garlicky sauce. This recipe is quick to prepare and perfect for a romantic dinner or a satisfying weeknight meal.

A close-up view of a dish in a white bowl, containing creamy rigatoni pasta as the base layer, colored light yellow with a smooth, creamy texture. On top of the pasta, there are pieces of grilled chicken that are golden brown with slightly charred edges, giving a crispy look. Mixed in are small pieces of dark red, crispy sun-dried tomatoes scattered across the dish. Fresh green herbs, possibly thyme, sit in the center as garnish, adding a fresh touch. The sauce covering the pasta and chicken is thick and creamy, light beige with specks of black pepper and chopped green herbs. The image is shot on a white marbled texture surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 lb (450 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin cutlets
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 8 oz (225 g) pasta (penne or rigatoni)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Season the chicken cutlets with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Step 2: Cook the chicken in the skillet until golden and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Step 5: While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  6. Step 6: Slice the cooked chicken into strips and return to the skillet with the sauce. Stir to coat the chicken well.
  7. Step 7: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss everything together to combine and warm through.
  8. Step 8: Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a mild kick.
  • Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, although it will be less rich.
  • Use fresh sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for a more intense flavor and tender texture.
  • Fresh basil or parsley makes a great garnish to add color and freshness.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or milk if the sauce has thickened too much.

How to Serve

A close-up of a white bowl filled with creamy rigatoni pasta mixed with golden-brown grilled chicken pieces on top. The pasta is coated in a thick, creamy white sauce sprinkled with small green herbs. Scattered sun-dried tomatoes add pops of deep red color throughout the dish. A small green herb sprig is placed in the center for garnish. The bowl sits on a white marbled textured surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of pasta?

Yes, this dish works well with short pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or even fusilli, which hold the creamy sauce nicely.

How do I make this recipe dairy-free?

You can substitute heavy cream with a coconut milk-based cream and use a dairy-free Parmesan alternative or nutritional yeast for a similar savory flavor.

Print

Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

This Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe features tender, thinly sliced chicken breasts cooked in a creamy, garlicky sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan cheese, served over your choice of penne or rigatoni pasta. It’s a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for a romantic dinner or special occasion.

  • Author: Bella
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1 lb (450 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin cutlets
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Pasta

  • 8 oz (225 g) pasta (penne or rigatoni)

Sauce

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Season the thinly sliced chicken breasts with salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides. This ensures the chicken is flavorful and well-seasoned before cooking.
  2. Cook the chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken cutlets and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Cook the pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of your chosen pasta (penne or rigatoni) and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  4. Make the sauce base: In the same skillet used for the chicken, add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes over medium heat until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
  5. Add cream and cheese: Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and stir to combine with the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Let the mixture simmer gently for 3-4 minutes to thicken slightly. Stir in 1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth.
  6. Combine chicken and pasta with sauce: Return the cooked chicken cutlets to the skillet, coating them in the creamy sauce. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together until evenly coated with the sauce and heated through.
  7. Serve: Plate the creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta immediately, garnishing with extra Parmesan or fresh herbs if desired for a delicious and comforting meal.

Notes

  • Use thinly sliced chicken breasts for quick and even cooking.
  • Sun-dried tomatoes add a rich, tangy flavor—choose those packed in oil for best results.
  • Cook pasta just till al dente to avoid overcooking when combined with the sauce.
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts better and adds more flavor than pre-grated varieties.
  • If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta cooking water to loosen it.
  • Garnish with chopped parsley or basil for a fresh finish.

Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Pasta, creamy chicken pasta, sun-dried tomato chicken, quick dinner recipe, Italian pasta with chicken

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