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30-Minute Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Close-up of creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta featuring penne, sliced grilled chicken, and sun-dried tomatoes.
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Make this restaurant-style Marry Me Chicken Pasta quickly. It features tender chicken in a rich, velvety parmesan cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, perfect for an impressive weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced horizontally into thin cutlets
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
  • 12 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 1 cup fresh spinach (optional)
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, mix the smoked paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Season both sides of the thin chicken cutlets evenly with this mixture.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the seasoned chicken for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
  6. Stir in the heavy cream. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until it begins to thicken slightly.
  7. Reduce the heat to low. Whisk in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
  8. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. If using spinach, stir it in now until it wilts into the sauce.
  9. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything gently to coat the pasta and chicken completely in the sauce.
  10. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh herbs and extra Parmesan cheese. This dish pairs well with a simple side salad if you are planning your weekly meal planning.

Notes

  • For a one-pot version, cook the pasta directly in the sauce mixture, adding extra broth or water as needed until the pasta is tender.
  • If you are looking for alternatives to cooking at home, consider using one of the best meal delivery services for pre-portioned ingredients.
  • This rich sauce is excellent for date night dinners or when you want an impressive easy dinner without much fuss.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.unfoldrecipes.com/marry-me-chicken-pasta-recipe/