Description
Tender chicken breasts in a rich, creamy sun-dried tomato sauce, tossed with al dente pasta and fresh basil.
Ingredients
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 oz (about 2 cups) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your choice)
Salt (for pasta water)
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped, packed in oil)
1/2 cup chicken broth
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
Step 1: In a large pot, bring generously salted water to a rolling boil.
Step 2: Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until it's al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the remaining water and set the cooked pasta aside.
Step 3: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season them generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
Step 4: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 5: Carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts in the hot skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until they're beautifully golden brown and fully cooked through (reaching an internal temperature of 165°F or 75°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest on a cutting board before slicing it into strips.
Step 6: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds, until it becomes fragrant.
Step 7: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring well to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Step 8: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Allow the sauce to simmer for 3-4 minutes, letting it thicken slightly.
Step 9: Add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until it's fully melted and the sauce is smooth. If the sauce appears too thick, gradually add a tablespoon or two of the reserved pasta water until you achieve your desired consistency.
Step 10: Slice the rested chicken breasts into bite-sized strips or cubes.
Step 11: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the creamy sauce, tossing gently to ensure every strand is coated. Arrange the sliced chicken over the pasta.
Step 12: Serve the Marry Me Chicken Pasta immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if you wish.
Notes
For best results, use good quality Parmesan cheese and sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for maximum flavor. Don't forget to reserve some pasta water!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 560 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg