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

Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta - featured image
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A rich and comforting creamy sun-dried tomato sauce pasta with juicy grilled chicken, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or cozy meals that impress without the fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 12 oz / 340 g), pounded to even thickness
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 small shallot, finely diced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (or a mix of oregano, thyme, and basil)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Fresh basil leaves, chopped (about 2 tablespoons)
  • 8 oz fettuccine or your favorite pasta
  • Salt for pasta water

Instructions

  1. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Let them sit for about 5 minutes.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes). Drain, reserving 1/2 cup (120 ml) of pasta water. Set pasta aside.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F / 74°C). Transfer chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, add shallots and garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and translucent, scraping any brown bits from the chicken for extra flavor.
  5. Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and dried Italian herbs. Cook for 1-2 minutes to release their flavor.
  6. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Let the sauce thicken slightly, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Avoid boiling hard.
  7. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes (if using). Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to reach desired consistency.
  8. Slice the cooked chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces. Return chicken to the skillet and toss gently in the sauce to coat and warm through (about 2 minutes).
  9. Add cooked pasta to the skillet. Use tongs to gently combine until every strand is coated in the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce.
  10. Sprinkle fresh chopped basil over the top and serve immediately. Optionally, add extra Parmesan on the side.

Notes

Pound chicken breasts to even thickness for uniform cooking. Simmer sauce gently to avoid curdling. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Add Parmesan cheese off heat or at low heat to keep sauce smooth. Use fresh garlic and shallots for best flavor. For dairy-free, substitute cream with coconut milk and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. For vegetarian, swap chicken with mushrooms or roasted cauliflower.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://goldensimmer.com/creamy-marry-me-chicken-pasta-recipe-easy-sun-dried-tomato-sauce/