Description
Tasty Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a flavorful and creamy dish featuring tender bite-sized chicken pieces cooked in a rich sun-dried tomato cream sauce, tossed with perfectly al dente penne pasta. This comforting and easy-to-make recipe combines savory Italian seasonings, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, topped off with fresh basil to create a deliciously satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
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 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)
- additional Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil 10 oz penne pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside while preparing the chicken and sauce.
- Prepare and Cook the Chicken: Cut 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken into 1-inch bite-sized pieces. Season with 0.5 tsp salt and 0.25 tsp pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Make the Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce: In the same skillet, melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 2 tsp minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 3 tbsp flour to form a paste. Gradually whisk in 2 cups chicken broth, then add 1 cup heavy cream and 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until smooth. Add 1 cup drained sun-dried tomatoes, 1 tsp paprika, and 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning. Simmer the sauce for a few minutes until it thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Combine Chicken, Pasta, and Sauce: Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Stir thoroughly to coat the pasta and chicken with the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the dish with torn fresh basil leaves and, if desired, a sprinkle of additional Parmesan cheese just before serving for an added burst of color and flavor.
Notes
- Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for the best flavor and texture in the sauce.
- Pounding chicken pieces to an even thickness ensures even cooking.
- To make the sauce richer, Kerrygold butter is recommended but not mandatory.
- Feel free to substitute penne with other pasta shapes like rigatoni or fusilli based on preference.
- This dish pairs well with a simple side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 32 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Pasta, creamy chicken pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, Italian chicken dinner, creamy parmesan chicken, one skillet pasta, easy chicken pasta recipe
