Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, tasty pasta meal that is so good it can make you want to get married! This pasta recipe is the best comfort food ever. It has tender chicken in a creamy sauce with a lot of Parmesan cheese. It’s great for a romantic supper or a special family meal.
The rich, creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and garlic makes this dish taste luxurious and comforting.
Romantic and impressive, this is great for date nights or special occasions, but it’s also simple enough for a weeknight.
You can change the flavors and add your own touch, like more veggies or spice.
One-Pan Wonder: This recipe is even better because it just requires one pan.
The sun-dried tomatoes give the Marry Me Chicken Pasta a little bit of sharpness, while the garlic and Italian herbs make it taste earthy. The sauce is thick and smooth, and it sticks to each piece of pasta. The chicken is tender and juicy, so every bite is a great mix of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
- Two big, boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin slices
- Salt and pepper: to taste; 2 tablespoons of olive oil for searing
- Three cloves of garlic, minced
- Chopped sun-dried tomatoes: 1/3 cup
- 1/2 cup of chicken broth
- One cup of heavy cream
- 1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp of Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes (optional for spiciness)
- 8 oz of pasta, such penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine
- Fresh basil: to decorate
Essential Kitchen Tools
- Big frying pan or skillet
- Tongs
- Spoon for mixing
- Pot for cooking spaghetti
- Grater for Parmesan cheese
Optional Variations
- Offer spinach or mushrooms: Fresh spinach or sautéed mushrooms offer flavor and nutrients.
- Use Greek yogurt or half & half instead of heavy cream for a lighter version.
- Greater Spice: For greater heat, add more crushed red pepper flakes.
- Cheese Changes: Add some mozzarella to make it even cheesier.
Instructions
- Boil a pot of salted water and boil the pasta according to the package guidelines. Let it drain and set it aside.
- Season and Sear Chicken: Add salt and pepper to the chicken. Put a big skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Sear the chicken on both sides until it is golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Take it out of the skillet and put it aside.
- In the same skillet, add the garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, or until it smells good. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and simmer for another minute.
- Make the sauce: In a skillet, mix together the chicken stock, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth. Add Italian spice and red pepper flakes to the food.
- Mix the chicken and pasta: Put the chicken back in the skillet and add the cooked spaghetti. Toss everything together to coat it with the sauce.
- Serve and garnish with fresh basil and additional Parmesan if you want. Enjoy it hot!
Serving Suggestions
- Side Salad: A fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette goes well with the heavy pasta.
- Garlic bread or breadsticks are great for soaking up the creamy sauce.
- Steamed vegetables like broccoli, green beans, or asparagus give a lovely color contrast and freshness.
Storage and Tips
- Storage: Leftovers can be kept in the fridge for up to three days in an airtight container. Warm up slowly on the burner or in the microwave.
- Freeze: You may keep this dish in the freezer for up to two months. Put it in the fridge to thaw and then heat it up slowly.
- If your sauce is too thick, add a little bit of pasta water to make it thinner.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: If you need to, sear the chicken in batches so it doesn’t steam.
FAQs
- Is it okay to use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
- Yes, boneless, skinless thighs are great and add more taste.
- Is it possible to prepare it without dairy?
- Instead of heavy cream, use a dairy-free cream substitute. Instead of Parmesan, use nutritional yeast.
- Is it okay to use a different kind of pasta?
- Yes, of course! Pick any pasta that holds sauce nicely, like bowtie or penne.
Nutrition Information
- About 600 calories
- About 30 grams of protein
- About 50g of carbs
- Fat: about 30g
Conclusion
The creamy, tasty Marry Me Chicken Pasta will please anyone you feed it to. You can prepare it however you choose, and it tastes great. This dish will make any meal exceptional, whether it’s for a special occasion or just because.
Enjoy this warm, tasty pasta and maybe it will give you the idea to propose to someone!