Description
How to make creamy marry me chicken pasta with tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes and herbs that creates the most romantic dinner ever.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Pasta
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Creamy Sauce Base
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/3 cup white wine
Flavor Enhancers
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp butter
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil salted water and cook penne until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining completely.
- Season Chicken: Pat chicken pieces dry and season generously with salt and pepper. This ensures golden browning and prevents the cream from diluting flavors.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Build Sauce: In same skillet, sauté garlic and sun-dried tomatoes for 1 minute. Add wine to deglaze, scraping up browned bits for maximum flavor.
- Add Cream: Pour in cream, broth, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened and aromatic throughout.
- Combine Everything: Return chicken to skillet, add cooked pasta and Parmesan. Toss gently, adding pasta water if needed for silky consistency.
- Finish Dish: Remove from heat, stir in butter, fresh basil, and parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving immediately while perfectly warm.
Notes
- Don’t let the cream sauce boil vigorously or it will curdle and separate.
- Reserve pasta water before draining – it’s your secret weapon for perfect sauce consistency.
- Fresh herbs should be added off heat to prevent them from turning bitter.
- Store leftovers in refrigerator for up to 3 days in airtight containers.
- Room temperature cream prevents curdling when added to the hot pan.
- Season chicken generously before cooking for maximum flavor penetration throughout.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 32g