Marry Me Chicken Pasta
A rich and creamy pasta dish with tender chicken and flavorful sun-dried tomatoes, ideal for romantic dinners or family gatherings.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced or cubed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream Can be substituted with half-and-half or plant-based cream.
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese Can experiment with different cheeses.
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed, drained and chopped
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- ½ lb (8 oz) penne pasta Can be substituted with any pasta or gluten-free options.
- Fresh basil, chopped for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken until browned and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Sprinkle in the flour, whisking for 1–2 minutes to form a roux.
Sauce Preparation
- Gradually pour in the chicken broth while whisking to avoid lumps, then add the heavy cream.
- Stir until the sauce thickens, then mix in the parmesan cheese until melted and incorporated.
- Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning. Let it simmer to blend flavors.
Combine and Serve
- Return the chicken to the skillet to simmer in the sauce.
- Cook the pasta al dente according to package instructions. Drain and toss into the creamy sauce.
- Top with freshly chopped basil and serve immediately hot.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To reheat, thaw if frozen and warm gently on the stovetop, adding chicken broth if needed.