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Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Creamy Parmesan chicken pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and golden chicken breast, ready in 35 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Calories: 680
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 10 oz penne pasta
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp butter unsalted recommended
  • 2 tsp garlic minced, fresh preferred
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese freshly grated preferred
  • 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes drained and chopped, oil-packed preferred
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • fresh basil for garnish

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Large pot
  • Whisk
  • Colander

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne according to package directions until al dente, about 10 to 12 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside.
  2. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook 6 to 8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through to 165°F. Do not crowd the pan. Remove to a plate.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Melt butter in the same skillet, scraping up browned bits. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Sprinkle in flour and whisk constantly for 1 minute to form a roux and cook out the raw flour taste.
  4. Slowly whisk in chicken broth to prevent lumps. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan until melted and smooth. Add sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Simmer 3 to 4 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. If still thin, simmer 1 to 2 minutes more.
  5. Return chicken and pasta to the skillet. Toss until fully coated. Add reserved pasta water a splash at a time if sauce is too thick. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan before serving.

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce. Oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes add the richest flavor. Do not freeze leftovers as the cream sauce separates when thawed. Reserve pasta water before draining — it is the best way to loosen the sauce without thinning the flavor.