Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Creamy, juicy, and bursting with flavor, this Marry Me Chicken is a must-try dinner that lives up to its name! Made with tender seared chicken breasts, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and a rich parmesan cream sauce, it's a dish so irresistible, it's said to inspire marriage proposals. Whether you're cooking for date night or just craving something special, this one-pan meal is easy to make and impossible to forget!
Servings: 6
Calories: 460kcal
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cloves garlic minced
For the Pasta:
- 8 oz pasta of choice e.g., fettuccine, penne
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes optional
- ½ cup sun dried tomatoes chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with paprika, salt, and pepper, and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Dice the chicken and return to the skillet. Toss to coat in the garlic butter.
- Prepare the Parmesan Sauce: In a separate saucepan over low heat, combine heavy cream, sundried tomatoes, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and reserved pasta water. Stir continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes. Add red chili flakes if desired. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine: Add the cooked pasta to the Parmesan sauce, tossing to coat evenly. Then, add the garlic butter chicken to the pasta, mixing gently to combine all elements.
- Serve: Divide the Marry Me Chicken Pasta among plates. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese or fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Add vegetables like spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently, adding a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce if necessary.