Marry Me Chicken with Pasta
Impress your special someone with Marry Me Chicken! This quick and flavorful dish features tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce, all nestled over pasta. Ready in under an hour, it's the perfect romantic dinner for two.
Equipment
- Large skillet or Dutch oven
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Whisk
- Pasta pot
- Colander
- Serving spoon
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped (oil-packed, drained)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves chopped (optional)
- 12 ounces dried pasta penne, rotini, or your favorite
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl, combine the chicken slices with olive oil, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Let it marinate for 15 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
Cook the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (slightly firm to the bite). Drain the pasta and reserve about 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
Sear the Chicken:
- Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside on a plate.
Make the Sauce:
- In the same pan, reduce heat to medium and add the garlic. Cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Deglaze the Pan:
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan using a spatula. This deglazing step adds extra flavor to the sauce.
Simmer and Thicken:
- Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until slightly thickened. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water to thin it out.
Combine and Serve:
- Add the cooked chicken back to the pan along with the cooked pasta. Toss everything together to coat the pasta in the sauce.
Garnish and Enjoy:
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves (optional) and serve immediately.