Description
Easy Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish combining tender seared chicken breasts with penne pasta in a savory sauce made from sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, fresh spinach, and parmesan cheese. This comforting yet elegant meal comes together quickly, perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Pasta
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 8 oz penne pasta
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Sauce and Vegetables
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Fats and Garnish
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain the pasta and reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
- Season Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning to ensure flavorful meat.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter together in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and sear for 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the pan and let rest while you prepare the sauce.
- Sauté Garlic and Tomatoes: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Then add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for an additional minute to release their flavor.
- Deglaze Pan: Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom which adds depth to the sauce.
- Make Cream Sauce: Add the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in grated parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes if using. Cook the sauce until it slightly thickens, about 3–5 minutes.
- Add Spinach: Stir in fresh spinach and allow it to wilt fully into the sauce, enhancing both nutrition and flavor.
- Slice Chicken: Slice the rested chicken breasts into strips and return them to the skillet. Let the chicken and sauce simmer together briefly for a few minutes to marry the flavors.
- Toss Pasta: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat the pasta in the creamy sauce. Add a splash of reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce for perfect consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish by garnishing with extra parmesan cheese, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, and fresh basil leaves before serving hot.
Notes
- For spicier flavor, increase the red pepper flakes to taste.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, though it may be less thick.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil deliver more flavor than dry-packed ones; if using dry, rehydrate them first.
- Reserve pasta water is important for adjusting sauce consistency if it becomes too thick.
- Chicken can be prepped ahead and reheated gently in the sauce for convenience.
