Description
How to make creamy Parmesan Marry Me Chicken Pasta with tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes and rich garlic cream sauce that’s pure comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Pasta
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Flavor Builders
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Creamy Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup pasta water, reserved
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water before draining completely.
- Season Chicken: Pat chicken pieces dry and season generously with salt and pepper. This ensures golden browning and prevents the cream sauce from becoming watery later.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Build Aromatics: In same skillet, add garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Sauté 1 minute until fragrant but not burned.
- Deglaze Pan: Pour in wine and scrape up browned bits from bottom of pan. Let simmer 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced and alcohol cooks off.
- Create Sauce: Reduce heat to low and stir in cream, butter, and Parmesan. Whisk constantly until cheese melts and sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Combine Everything: Return chicken to skillet, add pasta and fresh herbs. Toss gently, adding pasta water as needed for perfect consistency. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
Don’t let the cream sauce boil or it will curdle – keep heat on low once cream is added.
Reserve pasta water before draining; the starch helps bind the sauce to the noodles perfectly.
Freshly grated Parmesan melts much smoother than pre-shredded varieties.
Let chicken rest 5 minutes after cooking to retain juices when slicing.
Add fresh herbs at the very end to preserve their bright color and flavor.
This recipe doubles easily for larger crowds or meal prep purposes.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 485
- Fat: 24g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 32g