Marry Me Chicken Pasta
A creamy, savory pasta dish that combines tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a rich sauce, perfect for impressing someone special.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3 medium breasts)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
For the Pasta and Sauce
- 12 ounces pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni work beautifully)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced (plus more for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (for thickening the sauce)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Preparation
- Butterfly or pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch.
- Mix the salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl and season the chicken.
Cook the Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove the chicken and let it rest.
Cook the Pasta
- In boiling, salted water, cook the pasta until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
Create the Sauce
- In the same skillet, melt the butter and sauté the minced garlic.
- Sprinkle the flour over the garlic and cook for about 1 minute.
- Gradually add chicken broth while whisking, then let it simmer.
- Add heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and oregano and let the sauce simmer gently.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted.
Combine and Serve
- Toss the drained pasta in the sauce and add sliced chicken and fresh basil.
- Garnish and serve immediately.
Notes
Allow the chicken to rest before slicing; use fresh ingredients for the best flavor.