Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a rich, creamy, and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked with a blend of aromatic spices, sun-dried tomatoes, and a luscious creamy sauce. Paired with perfectly cooked penne pasta and topped with fresh basil and parmesan, this recipe is a delightful meal that combines Italian-inspired flavors in an easy stovetop preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken and Spice Rub
- 2 boneless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 tsp butter
For the Pasta and Sauce
- 1 cup penne pasta
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 onion, minced
- 3 sun-dried tomato halves, chopped
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tbsp fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the spice rub: Combine garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl to make a spice mixture.
- Season the chicken: Sprinkle half of the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts and rub gently to coat them thoroughly.
- Cook the chicken: Heat cooking oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Cook the pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until just under al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced onion and minced garlic; sauté until fragrant and softened, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add tomatoes and tomato paste: Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and tomato paste, cooking briefly until aromatic, about 1-2 minutes.
- Simmer the sauce: Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Add remaining half of the spice mixture. Stir well and allow the sauce to simmer gently for 5-7 minutes, letting it thicken and flavors meld.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta and grated parmesan cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously until the pasta is coated evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Slice the chicken: Slice the cooked chicken breasts into strips.
- Assemble and serve: Place the sliced chicken on top of the pasta in the skillet or serving dishes. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and additional parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat leftovers gently with a splash of milk or chicken broth to restore the creamy texture.
- Spinach or mushrooms can be added to the sauce for extra flavor and nutrients.
- Penne can be substituted with rigatoni, linguine, or fettuccine depending on preference.
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Sun-dried Tomato Pasta, Italian Chicken Recipe, Easy Pasta Dinner