Description
A creamy and flavorful Marry Me Chicken Pasta featuring tender bite-sized chicken pieces, al dente penne pasta, and a rich sun-dried tomato cream sauce enhanced with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. This comforting Italian-inspired dish combines savory spices and a luscious sauce, perfect for an impressive yet easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the chicken:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken (pounded to even thickness)
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp pepper
For the pasta:
- 10 oz penne pasta
For the sauce:
- 1 cup drained sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed for best flavor)
- 3 tbsp butter (preferably Kerrygold for richness)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 cup heavy cream (room temperature)
- 3 tbsp flour
- 2 tsp minced garlic (fresh preferred)
For the garnish:
- Fresh basil (torn just before serving)
- Additional Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the penne pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside while you prepare the chicken and sauce.
- Prepare and Cook the Chicken: Cut the chicken into 1-inch bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the chicken pieces, and cook for 6–8 minutes until no longer pink and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Make the Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in flour to form a paste, then gradually whisk in chicken broth. Add heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until smooth. Mix in sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, and Italian seasoning, then let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until thickened.
- Combine Chicken, Pasta, and Sauce: Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the sauce in the skillet. Stir to coat everything well. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with torn fresh basil leaves and, if desired, a sprinkle of additional Parmesan cheese just before serving for a fresh burst of flavor and color.
Notes
- Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for best flavor and texture.
- Pounding the chicken to an even thickness ensures even cooking.
- Room temperature heavy cream helps the sauce incorporate smoothly without curdling.
- Kerrygold butter adds extra richness but any unsalted butter can be used.
- For a thicker sauce, simmer a bit longer; for a thinner sauce, add more chicken broth or cream.
- Fresh basil should be added just before serving to retain its bright flavor.
- Can be served with additional Parmesan cheese for more cheesiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 32 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken, creamy chicken pasta, sun-dried tomato sauce, penne pasta recipe, Italian chicken pasta
