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Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

4.6 from 83 reviews

Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked with penne pasta in a rich Parmesan and sun-dried tomato sauce. This one-pan stovetop recipe combines Italian seasonings and baby spinach for a comforting yet elegant meal perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 16 ounces chicken breasts
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or oil from the sun-dried tomatoes jar)

Pasta and Sauce

  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 16 ounces chicken broth
  • 8 ounces penne pasta
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 4 ounces sun-dried tomatoes in oil (julienne cut, drained)
  • 2 ounces fresh baby spinach
  • 6 ounces heavy cream
  • 1 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Prepare Chicken: Carefully slice chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create four thin pieces or pound thick chicken breasts down to 1 inch thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. Cook Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. When hot, add the chicken pieces and cook, flipping halfway through, until they reach an internal temperature of 165℉. Remove the chicken from the pan, loosely cover, and set aside.
  3. Sauté Garlic: Add minced garlic to the same pan and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant and just beginning to lightly brown.
  4. Cook Pasta: Pour in chicken broth and add penne pasta, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine, bring to a simmer, cover the pan, and reduce heat to low. Cook pasta al dente according to package directions.
  5. Slice Chicken: While pasta cooks, slice the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  6. Add Remaining Ingredients: Remove the lid and stir in the diced chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, baby spinach, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until the spinach has wilted and the sauce is creamy, about 1 to 2 minutes.
  7. Serve: Remove the pan from heat. If the sauce appears thin, let it rest for up to 5 minutes to thicken before serving.

Notes

  • For best results, ensure chicken breasts are evenly pounded or sliced for uniform cooking.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes according to your spice preference.
  • If the sauce is too thick after resting, add a splash of chicken broth to loosen it.
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is recommended for optimal flavor and smooth melting.
  • This dish pairs well with a side of garlic bread or a simple green salad.

Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Pasta, creamy chicken pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, one-pan pasta, Italian chicken recipe, penne pasta with chicken, easy stovetop dinner