Description

This creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta features tender chicken, a dreamy sundried tomato cream sauce, and perfectly coated pasta. It’s an easy, restaurant-worthy dinner perfect for Valentine’s Day, date nights, or cozy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup sundried tomatoes in oil, chopped
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
12 oz short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or similar)
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Handful fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
Extra parmesan, for serving

Instructions

Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. If thick, slice horizontally to about 1-inch thick.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente (9-11 minutes for penne). Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Transfer chicken to a plate and tent with foil.
In the same pan, melt remaining butter. Add garlic and sundried tomatoes, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in chicken broth, stir and scrape up any browned bits. Reduce heat to medium-low.
Add heavy cream and parmesan cheese, whisk until smooth and slightly thickened (about 3-4 minutes). If too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
Slice cooked chicken into strips or cubes. Return to pan and simmer in sauce for 2-3 minutes. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
Add drained pasta to skillet and toss until coated. Add more pasta water if needed. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Garnish with fresh basil, extra parmesan, and cracked black pepper. Serve immediately.

Notes

Use freshly grated parmesan for best melt and flavor. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Let chicken rest before slicing for juiciness. You can substitute chicken thighs, add spinach, or use gluten-free pasta. For extra color, toss in cherry tomatoes with sundried tomatoes. Reheats well; add a splash of cream or milk when reheating.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: About 1/4 of recipe
Calories: 520
Sugar: 5
Sodium: 650
Fat: 21
Saturated Fat: 10
Carbohydrates: 48
Fiber: 3
Protein: 32

Keywords: marry me chicken, creamy chicken pasta, valentine's day dinner, sundried tomato pasta, date night recipe, easy pasta, chicken breast recipe