Marry Me Chicken Pasta

A rich, creamy pasta dish made with tender chicken, Parmesan cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes. It’s easy enough for a weeknight meal but elegant enough for special occasions.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into bite-size pieces
• 12 oz (340 g) penne, fettuccine, or your favorite pasta
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
• 1½ cups heavy cream
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 2 cups fresh spinach (optional)
• Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain.
2. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 5–7 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
4. Reduce the heat to medium. Melt the butter in the same skillet, then add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute.
6. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer.
7. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
8. If using spinach, stir it into the sauce and cook until wilted.
9. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and mix well.
10. Add the cooked pasta and toss until every piece is coated in the creamy sauce. If needed, add a little reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
11. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and extra Parmesan cheese before serving.

Serving Suggestions

• Garlic bread
• Caesar salad
• Roasted broccoli or asparagus
• A sprinkle of extra Parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4