Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta
A quick and easy creamy pasta dish featuring tender chicken breasts and a rich sundried tomato sauce, perfect for cozy dinners and crowd-pleasing meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450g), pounded slightly for even cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chopped sundried tomatoes (packed in oil preferred)
- 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
- ½ cup chicken broth (120 ml), low sodium
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 50g)
- 8 oz (225g) penne or favorite pasta shape
- A handful fresh basil, chopped (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness (about ½ inch / 1.25 cm). Season both sides with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. (5 minutes)
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook 8 oz (225g) pasta according to package instructions until al dente (usually 9-11 minutes). Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup (120 ml) pasta water. (10-12 minutes)
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and cook 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C). Remove chicken and let rest on a plate. (12 minutes)
- Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and chopped sundried tomatoes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly to avoid burning garlic. (2 minutes)
- Pour in ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth and 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream. Stir well to combine and bring to a gentle simmer. (3-4 minutes)
- Stir in ½ cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan until melted and sauce is smooth. Add red pepper flakes if using, and adjust salt and pepper to taste. If sauce thickens too much, stir in reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen. (3 minutes)
- Slice rested chicken breasts into strips or bite-sized pieces. Return to skillet and coat with sauce. (2 minutes)
- Add cooked pasta and chopped fresh basil to the sauce and chicken. Toss gently to combine and heat through for 1-2 minutes. (2 minutes)
- Serve immediately with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan and basil leaves if desired.
Notes
Do not rush the sauce simmering step to intensify flavors and thicken naturally. Avoid burning garlic by stirring constantly and using moderate heat. Rest chicken before slicing to keep it juicy. Use oil-packed sundried tomatoes for best flavor and texture. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts better than pre-grated.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, marry me chicken, sundried tomato sauce, easy pasta recipe, weeknight dinner, comfort food