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Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe Easy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta - featured image

A quick and easy creamy chicken pasta with a rich sun-dried tomato sauce that is perfect for weeknight dinners and special occasions alike.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 8 ounces pasta (penne or fettuccine recommended)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • A handful fresh basil, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (9-11 minutes). Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken strips with salt and pepper. Cook chicken in a single layer for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  3. Lower heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon butter to the same pan. When melted, add minced garlic and stir for 1 minute until fragrant. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and warm through for 2 minutes.
  4. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir gently and bring to a simmer. Cook for 4-5 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Add grated Parmesan cheese and whisk until melted and smooth. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
  6. Return cooked chicken to the pan and stir to coat with sauce. Add drained pasta and reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen sauce as needed. Toss gently until well coated and heated through, about 2 minutes.
  7. Remove from heat, sprinkle chopped fresh basil on top, toss gently, and serve immediately with extra Parmesan and black pepper.

Notes

Use medium to medium-low heat to avoid curdling the cream or burning garlic. Add pasta water or broth to adjust sauce thickness. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for juicier meat. Avoid overcrowding the pan when cooking chicken for a good sear.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, sun-dried tomato sauce, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food, quick pasta recipe