Can I use other types of chicken?

Absolutely! While boneless skinless chicken breasts work best for this recipe, you can use thighs or even rotisserie chicken for a quicker option.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can cook everything in advance and store it in the fridge. Just reheat it gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or cream to bring it back to life.

Can I make this dish gluten-free?

Yes! Simply swap the pasta with a gluten-free version and use gluten-free flour for the sauce.

Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

Name: Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken, cut into 1-inch pieces; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon pepper; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 3 tablespoons butter; 2 teaspoons garlic, minced; 3 tablespoons flour; 2 cups chicken broth; 1 cup heavy cream; 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated; 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained; 1 teaspoon paprika; 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning; Fresh basil for garnish; 10 ounces penne pasta (you can also try whole grain pasta for a healthier twist—check out this guide on whole grain pasta for more options!)4

Description

A creamy, savory pasta with golden-brown chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a rich parmesan sauce that will steal your heart.

Ingredients

Scale

For the chicken:

1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken, cut into 1-inch pieces
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil

For the sauce:

3 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained
1 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
Fresh basil for garnish

For the pasta:

10 ounces penne pasta (you can also try whole grain pasta for a healthier twist—check out this guide on whole grain pasta for more options!)4

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

Start by cooking your penne pasta according to the package instructions. Don’t forget to salt the water! Once it’s cooked, drain and set it aside while we work on the chicken and sauce.

2. Cook the Chicken

Cut your chicken into bite-sized pieces and season it with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chicken. Cook for about 6-8 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and set it aside.

3. Make the Sauce

In the same skillet, add butter. Once it’s melted, toss in the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant. Now, whisk in the flour and cook for another minute, forming a paste.

Slowly pour in the chicken broth, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese. Stir everything together until smooth. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer for about 3-5 minutes to thicken.

4. Combine Everything

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and add the pasta. Stir everything together so the chicken and pasta are coated in the creamy sauce.

5. Serve and Garnish

Once everything is well combined, plate your pasta with chicken and garnish with fresh basil and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. If you love cheesy, creamy pasta, you might also want to add a bit more parmesan on top!

Notes

You can add veggies like spinach or bell peppers for extra flavor.
For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with half and half.
Leftovers keep well in the fridge for 3 days.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 600
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 500mg
Fat: 35g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 100mg

Keywords: Marry me chicken pasta, creamy pasta, easy chicken dinner, sun-dried tomatoes, pasta recipes