Description

This Marry Me Chicken Pasta is creamy, flavorful, and irresistibly delicious—rumored to be so good, it might just inspire a proposal! Juicy, pan-seared chicken is coated in a rich sun-dried tomato cream sauce with Parmesan, garlic, and fresh herbs, all tossed with tender pasta. It’s an easy, elegant dish perfect for date nights or cozy dinners at home.

Ingredients

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For the Chicken:

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced in half horizontally to make 4 cutlets)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Sauce:

3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium)
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil, drained)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (plus more for garnish)

For the Pasta:

12 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your choice)
Salt, for the pasta water

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Instructions

Cook the pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Prepare the chicken:
- Season the chicken cutlets with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear the chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp of 165°F/74°C).
- Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm.
Make the creamy sauce:
- In the same skillet, add a little more oil if needed.
- Sauté the garlic and red pepper flakes until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
- Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning.
- Simmer for 3–4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Combine everything:
- Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top.
- Add the cooked pasta, tossing to coat in the creamy sauce.
- If needed, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce.
- Stir in fresh basil.
Serve:
- Garnish with extra Parmesan, fresh basil, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.
- Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

For added flavor, deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine before adding the chicken broth.
Substitute chicken with shrimp or seared tofu for a different twist.
Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter version.