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Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta

creamy marry me chicken pasta - featured image
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A cozy, creamy chicken pasta dish featuring tender chicken breasts, sun-dried tomatoes, and a rich cream sauce, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or comforting meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450 g), sliced into thin cutlets
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta (gluten-free pasta works well too)
  • Fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • Extra Parmesan for serving

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 9-11 minutes). Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  2. Season chicken cutlets with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Remove chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
  4. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute.
  6. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer, scraping browned bits from the pan.
  7. Stir in Italian seasoning, grated Parmesan, and red pepper flakes if using. Let sauce simmer gently for 4-5 minutes until slightly thickened. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
  8. Slice cooked chicken into strips and return to skillet. Add drained pasta and toss to coat evenly and warm through. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
  9. Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh chopped basil and extra Parmesan. Serve immediately.

Notes

If the sauce starts to separate, stir in a splash of reserved pasta water to bring it back to creamy perfection. Do not rush searing the chicken to get a golden crust. Use fresh basil at the end for brightness. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with canned coconut milk and Parmesan with nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, marry me chicken, easy dinner, cozy meal, sun-dried tomatoes, creamy sauce, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://crispcraving.com/creamy-marry-me-chicken-pasta-recipe-easy-cozy-dinner-idea/