Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a delightful dish that combines tender chicken, flavorful pasta, and a creamy sauce, making it a perfect meal for any occasion. It is easy to prepare and packed with flavors that will impress anyone who tries it.
Why Make This Recipe
This recipe is a hit for several reasons. First, it is quick and simple to prepare, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or last-minute guests. The combination of sun-dried tomatoes and creamy sauce elevates the dish, adding rich flavors that everyone will love. Plus, it is a complete meal with protein and carbs, ensuring you leave the table satisfied.
How to Make Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast (cubed into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Pepper
- ½ cup All purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Paprika
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 10 oz Rigatoni (Uncooked)
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp Salt (more or less to taste)
- Red Chili Flakes (to taste)
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated, divided)
Directions
Chicken Instructions
- Season 1 lb of chicken with 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp pepper.
- In a gallon-sized resealable plastic bag, mix ½ cup all-purpose flour with 1 ½ tsp Italian seasoning, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, and ½ tsp paprika.
- Add cubed chicken to the flour mixture and shake to coat. Remove excess flour and set aside 1 tablespoon of the mixture.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp butter. Add chicken and cook until browned on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side, until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Pasta Instructions
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Cook 10 oz rigatoni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
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In the same skillet, add 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 minced garlic cloves. Saute for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
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Add ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 cup chicken broth, and 1 cup heavy whipping cream. Mix well.
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Stir in 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp parsley, ½ tsp salt, and red chili flakes to taste.
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In a small bowl, mix 1 tbsp reserved flour with 3 tbsp sauce from the pan. Add this paste back to the skillet along with ½ cup grated parmesan cheese. Stir until the sauce thickens.
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Add cooked rigatoni to the skillet, stirring for 1 minute until heated.
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Return chicken to the skillet and top with the remaining ½ cup parmesan. Cook uncovered for a few more minutes until the sauce is fully thickened.
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Serve and enjoy!
How to Serve Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Serve Marry Me Chicken Pasta warm on a plate, garnished with extra parmesan and fresh parsley if desired. It’s perfect with a side salad or some garlic bread, making for a complete and satisfying meal.
How to Store Marry Me Chicken Pasta
To store Marry Me Chicken Pasta, place any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. When ready to eat, reheat in a microwave or on the stove until warmed through.
Tips to Make Marry Me Chicken Pasta
- Ensure the chicken is cooked to the correct internal temperature for safety.
- Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your taste, especially the red chili flakes for spice.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute heavy whipping cream with half-and-half or a low-fat cream.
Variation
You can easily customize this recipe by adding your favorite vegetables, such as spinach or zucchini. Additionally, using different types of pasta can also change the dish’s texture and flavor.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breast. Make sure to fully cook it until it reaches 165°F, and thaw it before cooking if possible.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the chicken and the sauce ahead of time and store them separately. Combine and heat when ready to serve.
What can I use instead of sun-dried tomatoes?
You can substitute sun-dried tomatoes with fresh cherry tomatoes or roasted red peppers, though the flavor will be different.
Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast (cubed into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Pepper
- ½ cup All purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Paprika
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Butter
For the Pasta and Sauce
- 10 oz Rigatoni (Uncooked)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp Salt (more or less to taste)
- Red Chili Flakes (to taste)
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated, divided)
Instructions
Chicken Instructions
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
- In a resealable plastic bag, mix the flour with Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Add cubed chicken to the flour mixture and shake to coat, removing excess flour.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and butter, then add the chicken and cook until browned (3-4 minutes per side) until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Pasta Instructions
- Cook rigatoni according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add olive oil and minced garlic, sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, and heavy whipping cream to the skillet. Mix well.
- Stir in Italian seasoning, parsley, salt, and red chili flakes.
- In a small bowl, mix reserved flour with 3 tbsp of the sauce from the pan. Add this paste back to the skillet along with ½ cup of parmesan cheese to thicken the sauce.
- Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet and stir for 1 minute until heated.
- Return the chicken to the skillet and top with remaining parmesan, cooking uncovered for a few minutes until the sauce is thickened.
- Serve and enjoy!