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Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Tender chicken in rich Parmesan cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach tossed with pasta for a 30-minute dinner.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 625

Ingredients
  

  • 12-16 oz pasta penne, rigatoni, or fusilli work best
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes oil-packed, drained and chopped
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach
  • fresh basil leaves for garnish

Equipment

  • Large pot for pasta
  • large skillet
  • wooden spoon or spatula
  • tongs

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and the tomatoes soften.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer for 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  5. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta and fresh spinach. Toss everything together until the spinach has wilted and the pasta is thoroughly coated.
  7. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  8. Garnish with fresh basil and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan. Serve immediately.

Notes

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk to restore creaminess. Substitutions: Use chicken thighs for juicier results, or half-and-half for a lighter sauce. You can also substitute shrimp for chicken (cook for 2-3 minutes per side). Make-Ahead: The sauce can be made up to a day ahead. Store chicken and sauce separately from pasta, then combine when reheating.