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Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta

creamy marry me chicken pasta - featured image
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A quick and easy creamy chicken pasta dish ready in 30 minutes, featuring a rich sauce with cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil. Perfect for cozy dinners and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil, drained)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) low sodium chicken broth
  • 4 ounces (115g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
  • 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 8 ounces (225g) penne or rigatoni pasta
  • A handful fresh basil, roughly chopped
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225g) of penne and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 10-12 minutes). Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup (120 ml) pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Add chicken to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the same skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute.
  4. Pour in 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
  5. Whisk in softened cream cheese until smooth. Slowly add heavy cream, stirring constantly.
  6. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until sauce thickens and becomes creamy. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen.
  7. Return cooked chicken to skillet and add drained pasta. Toss gently to coat everything in the creamy sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes to let flavors meld.
  8. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired. Stir in fresh chopped basil just before serving.

Notes

Use room temperature cream cheese to avoid lumps. Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Thinly slice chicken for quick cooking and juiciness. Reheat gently with a splash of broth or cream to restore creaminess. For vegetarian version, substitute chicken with mushrooms or roasted cauliflower. For dairy-free, use vegan cream cheese and coconut cream. Gluten-free pasta can be used as a swap.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, marry me chicken, quick dinner, easy pasta recipe, sun-dried tomatoes, comfort food

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/creamy-marry-me-chicken-pasta-recipe-easy-and-ready-in-30-minutes/