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Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe Easy Sun-Dried Tomato Dinner

creamy marry me chicken pasta - featured image

A quick and easy creamy chicken pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, perfect for cozy dinner nights. This dish balances rich creaminess with tangy tomatoes and tender chicken for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced or pounded thin
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained (reserve some oil)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml) or half-and-half for lighter version
  • ½ cup chicken broth (120 ml)
  • ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (75 g)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus reserved oil from sun-dried tomatoes
  • 8 ounces pasta (fettuccine or penne) (225 g)
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, or blend)
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 9-11 minutes). Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup (120 ml) of pasta water.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon reserved sun-dried tomato oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and ½ teaspoon Italian herbs. Cook chicken 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C). Remove and let rest; slice thinly once cooled.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute.
  4. Pour in ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth, scraping browned bits from the pan. Simmer 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
  5. Add 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream, stir, and simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens to coat the back of a spoon.
  6. Lower heat and stir in ¾ cup (75 g) grated Parmesan until melted and smooth. Add red pepper flakes if desired.
  7. Toss cooked pasta and sliced chicken into the sauce. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley or basil if available.

Notes

Use reserved pasta water to loosen sauce if too thick. Avoid burning garlic by cooking it gently. Freshly grate Parmesan for best melting. Let chicken rest before slicing to keep it juicy. For dairy-free, substitute coconut cream and nutritional yeast. For gluten-free, use brown rice or chickpea pasta.

Nutrition

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