Description
This Marry Me Chicken Pasta combines tender chicken breasts with a luxurious sun-dried tomato cream sauce, all tossed with perfectly cooked fettuccine. The dish earned its name from the countless stories of marriage proposals that followed its preparation! Rich, indulgent, and surprisingly simple to make, this pasta is perfect for special occasions or when you want to impress someone special.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3 medium breasts)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (oil-packed, drained)
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (plus more for garnish)
For the Pasta:
- 12 ounces fettuccine pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with this mixture.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook fettuccine according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining. Toss drained pasta with 1 tablespoon of butter to prevent sticking.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F). Transfer chicken to a plate and tent with foil.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.
- Build the creamy sauce: Add heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and let the sauce thicken for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Slice the chicken: While the sauce simmers, slice the cooked chicken breasts into strips.
- Combine everything: Return the sliced chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained pasta, remaining tablespoon of butter, and fresh basil. Toss everything together until well combined and the pasta is evenly coated with sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Serve: Transfer to warm plates or a serving platter. Garnish with additional fresh basil, chopped parsley, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Make ahead: The chicken and sauce can be prepared up to 2 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Cook fresh pasta just before serving.
- Substitutions: For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream. Penne or linguine can be used instead of fettuccine.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often deepen overnight!
- Reheating: Warm gently over low heat with a splash of cream or milk to revitalize the sauce.
- Spice level: Adjust the red pepper flakes to your preference—increase for more heat or omit entirely for a non-spicy version.
- Wine pairing: Serves beautifully with Pinot Grigio, unoaked Chardonnay, or a light Pinot Noir.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ of recipe
- Calories: 725 calories per serving
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 175mg
Keywords: chicken pasta, creamy pasta, sun-dried tomato chicken, date night dinner