Print

Easy Marry Me Chicken Pasta

A white bowl filled with creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta featuring penne, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and sliced seasoned chicken breast.
Print Recipe
Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Make this rich, creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta for a quick, impressive dinner. Tender chicken and sun-dried tomatoes in a garlic parmesan sauce tossed with your favorite pasta.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved horizontally
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 shallot, finely diced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 cup baby spinach (optional)
  • 1 pound penne or rigatoni pasta
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
  2. In a small bowl, mix the smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Season both sides of the chicken cutlets evenly with this mixture.
  3. Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Add the minced garlic and diced shallot and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes, reducing slightly.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
  7. Whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and thickened. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  8. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. If using, stir in the baby spinach until it wilts into the sauce.
  9. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the creamy sauce. Add more pasta water if needed to keep it luscious.
  10. Slice the chicken breasts if desired. Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with fresh basil or parsley.

Notes

  • For a one-pot version, cook the pasta directly in the sauce using extra broth or water, adding more liquid as needed until the pasta is tender.
  • You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a slightly lighter sauce, but the texture will be less rich.
  • Use high-quality Parmesan cheese that you grate yourself for the best melting results.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbyfelix.com/marry-me-chicken-pasta-recipe/