Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a rich and creamy dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked with a flavorful blend of spices, sun-dried tomatoes, and a luscious cream sauce served over perfectly cooked penne pasta. Topped with fresh basil and parmesan cheese, this comforting recipe is easy to prepare and perfect for a delicious weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 boneless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Pasta
- 1 cup penne pasta
Sauce
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 tsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 onion, minced
- 3 sun-dried tomato halves, chopped
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tbsp fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare spice mix: Combine garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl to create a flavorful spice blend for the chicken.
- Season the chicken: Sprinkle half of the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts and gently rub to coat thoroughly for enhanced flavor.
- Cook the chicken: Heat the cooking oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for 5 to 6 minutes on each side until they develop a golden crust and are fully cooked through.
- Cook the pasta: Meanwhile, boil the penne pasta in salted water according to package instructions until just under al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet used for the chicken, melt the butter and sauté the minced onion and garlic until fragrant and translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes and tomato paste: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and tomato paste, cooking briefly until the mixture becomes aromatic.
- Make the sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, then add the remaining half of the spice mixture. Allow the sauce to simmer gently, stirring occasionally to meld the flavors.
- Combine pasta and cheese: Add the cooked penne pasta to the sauce along with the grated parmesan cheese. Stir until the pasta is evenly coated with the rich, creamy sauce.
- Slice and top chicken: Slice the cooked chicken breasts and arrange them on top of the creamy pasta in the skillet or on serving plates.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh basil leaves and additional parmesan cheese over the top. Serve immediately to enjoy the dish at its best.
Notes
- Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently with a splash of milk or broth to restore the creamy texture.
- Spinach or mushrooms can be added to the sauce for extra flavor and nutrients.
- Different pasta types like rigatoni, linguine, or fettuccine can be substituted for penne.
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy chicken pasta recipe, sun-dried tomato pasta, creamy penne pasta with chicken