Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts simmered in a rich sun-dried tomato and parmesan cream sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta and fresh basil. This hearty one-pan meal is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner with a touch of sophistication.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz dry pasta
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Sauce
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil
- 5 fresh garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped sun dried tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 1 cup half & half
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh basil
- Extra shredded parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the dry pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve some pasta cooking water before draining, then set the pasta aside.
- Prepare Seasonings: In a small bowl, combine dried basil, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to create an even seasoning blend.
- Season Chicken: Rub half of the seasoning mixture onto both sides of the chicken breasts, ensuring an even coating for flavor.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken breasts and sear without moving for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce heat to low. Add minced garlic and chopped sun dried tomatoes to the same skillet, optionally adding a splash of sun dried tomato oil. Sauté gently for 1-2 minutes to release flavors without burning.
- Deglaze Pan: Pour in chicken stock and scrape the bottom of the pan to loosen any browned bits, incorporating them into the sauce.
- Add Dairy and Cheese: Slowly stir in half & half and room temperature freshly grated parmesan cheese over low heat. Add cheese gradually, stirring frequently until fully melted and sauce is smooth.
- Simmer Sauce with Chicken: Increase heat to medium to bring sauce to a gentle simmer. Stir in remaining seasoning mixture. Nestle the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet and simmer on medium heat for 5-10 minutes, allowing chicken to finish cooking and flavors to meld. Remove chicken once done. Adjust simmer time to thicken sauce if needed.
- Toss Pasta and Serve: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss well to combine. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time to achieve desired sauce consistency. Slice the chicken breasts and arrange on top of the pasta. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and extra parmesan cheese if desired.
- Enjoy: Serve immediately while warm and savor the creamy, flavorful Marry Me Chicken Pasta.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to help loosen and adjust sauce consistency as needed.
- Ensure parmesan cheese is at room temperature before adding for easier melting.
- If sauce gets too thick while simmering, add a splash of chicken stock or pasta water to thin.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for desired heat level.
- Use fresh basil for garnish to enhance aroma and color.
- Sun dried tomato oil is optional but adds a deeper tomato flavor if available.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Sun Dried Tomato Pasta, Chicken Parmesan Sauce, One-Pan Pasta
