Description
Creamy marry me chicken pasta delivers an irresistible Italian-inspired dinner that promises romance on every forkful. Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and tender chicken create a luxurious meal you’ll want to savor slowly and share with someone special.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Pasta:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (penne or bowtie)
Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
Garnish:
- Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente, then drain and reserve a small amount of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
- Season chicken breasts generously with Italian herbs, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper, ensuring even coating.
- Sear chicken in a hot skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken from skillet and let rest on a cutting board while preparing sauce.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium and sauté minced garlic until aromatic, approximately 30-45 seconds.
- Pour chicken broth into the skillet, scraping any browned bits from the bottom to enhance sauce flavor.
- Whisk in heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and red pepper flakes, allowing mixture to simmer and gradually thicken for 3-4 minutes.
- Slice rested chicken into thin strips and return to the skillet with sauce.
- Gently fold cooked pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring each strand is evenly coated and heated through.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve immediately while sauce remains warm and silky.
Notes
- Ensure pasta is al dente by cooking slightly less than package instructions to prevent mushiness when combined with sauce.
- Pound chicken breasts to uniform thickness for even cooking and faster preparation time.
- Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half for lighter, lower-calorie version without compromising creamy texture.
- Use gluten-free pasta and check broth ingredients for celiac-friendly adaptation of the recipe.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 3.6 g
- Sodium: 330 mg
- Fat: 22.4 g
- Saturated Fat: 8.6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45.8 g
- Fiber: 2.5 g
- Protein: 38.2 g
- Cholesterol: 102 mg