Description
Easy Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts simmered in a luscious sauce of sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and parmesan, tossed with perfectly cooked rigatoni pasta. This one-pan meal is quick to prepare, making it perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Pasta and Garnish
- 8 ounces rigatoni pasta, cooked al dente
- Fresh basil, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken breasts and sear for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Make the sauce: Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in heavy cream, grated parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Allow the sauce to simmer for 4–5 minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Add chicken back: Slice the cooked chicken breasts and return them to the skillet with the sauce. Let them simmer together for 2–3 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Combine pasta: Add the cooked rigatoni pasta to the skillet and toss everything together so the pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce. Simmer for an additional 2–3 minutes until fully combined and heated through.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat, garnish with freshly chopped basil if desired, and serve hot for a delicious and comforting meal.
Notes
- Be sure to cook the pasta just until al dente as it will continue to cook slightly when tossed in the sauce.
- Sun-dried tomatoes can be found packed in oil or dry; either works but if dry, consider soaking them briefly for softness.
- If you prefer less spice, omit or reduce red pepper flakes.
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half though sauce may be less rich.
- Fresh basil adds a nice herbal brightness, but you can also garnish with parsley or oregano.
- Leftovers store well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
