Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken strips cooked to perfection and tossed in a rich sauce of heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil. Ready in just 30 minutes, this irresistible pasta combines Italian seasonings and a hint of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, making it a perfect weeknight dinner that feels indulgent yet simple to make.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped (plus more for garnish)
Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta, cooked al dente
- 2 tablespoons reserved pasta water (optional, for thinning sauce)
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Season the chicken strips with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 4–5 minutes on each side until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add grated Parmesan cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, paprika, and black pepper. Stir well and let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Combine Everything: Slice the cooked chicken into strips and return it to the skillet with the sauce. Add the fresh chopped basil and stir to coat the chicken evenly in the creamy sauce. Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together until well combined. If the sauce is too thick, stir in reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Serve: Garnish the dish with additional fresh basil leaves and extra grated Parmesan cheese. Serve the Marry Me Chicken Pasta hot and enjoy the creamy, flavorful meal.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, but the sauce may be less rich.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil can add more flavor; drain excess oil before adding.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level or omit for a milder sauce.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining your pasta; it helps to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much.
- Fettuccine or penne both work well; choose your favorite pasta shape for the dish.
