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Tasty Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

4.6 from 513 reviews

A creamy, flavorful Marry Me Chicken Pasta featuring tender chicken pieces cooked in a luscious sun-dried tomato and Parmesan cream sauce, served over perfectly al dente penne pasta and garnished with fresh basil for a vibrant finish.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken, pounded to even thickness
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper

For the Pasta:

  • 10 oz penne pasta

For the Sauce:

  • 1 cup drained sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed for best flavor)
  • 3 tbsp butter (preferably Kerrygold for richness)
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 cup heavy cream (room temperature)
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • 2 tsp minced garlic (fresh preferred)

For the Garnish:

  • Fresh basil, torn just before serving

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Boil the penne pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside while you prepare the chicken and sauce.
  2. Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken into 1-inch bite-sized pieces and season them with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook for 6–8 minutes until they are no longer pink and cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
  3. Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the flour to form a paste. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, then add the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until smooth. Incorporate the drained sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, and dried Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until it thickens, developing a rich and creamy texture.
  4. Combine Chicken, Pasta, and Sauce: Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta into the skillet with the sauce. Stir everything together thoroughly to coat the chicken and pasta evenly in the creamy sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Garnish the finished dish with torn fresh basil leaves and, if desired, sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese just before serving for added flavor and a burst of color.

Notes

  • Ensure the chicken is pounded to even thickness to cook uniformly.
  • Using oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes adds extra flavor and richness to the sauce.
  • Heavy cream should be at room temperature to blend smoothly without curdling.
  • Fresh garlic is preferred over pre-minced for better flavor.
  • Torn fresh basil added right before serving enhances aroma and presentation.
  • You can substitute penne with other pasta shapes like rigatoni or fusilli if desired.
  • For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.

Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Pasta, Creamy chicken pasta, Sun-dried tomato pasta, Parmesan chicken, comfort food pasta, Italian creamy sauce