Creamy Parmesan Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe (Print Version)

Whip up this rich Parmesan Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe tonight. Creamy, dreamy, and so comforting perfect for a cozy dinner or date night!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: Italian-American
Dietary: Contains dairy, gluten

# Ingredients:

→ Chicken & Pasta Base

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced horizontally and pounded thin
02 - 8 oz penne or fettuccine pasta
03 - 2 tbsp olive oil (divided)
04 - Salt and black pepper to taste
05 - 1 tsp Italian seasoning (divided)

→ Creamy Sauce Essentials

06 - 1.5 cups heavy cream
07 - 1 cup chicken broth
08 - 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

→ Flavor Boosters & Seasonings

09 - 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil), drained and chopped
11 - 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)

→ Finishing Touches

12 - Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get your chicken ready. Slice those breasts in half horizontally, then give them a good pound until they're about half an inch thick. This helps them cook evenly and stay super tender. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and a bit of Italian seasoning. While you're doing that, get a big pot of water boiling for your pasta. Don't forget to salt the water until it tastes like the ocean – that's where the pasta gets its flavor, and honestly, this is where I always forget if I'm distracted!
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Once it's shimmering, add your seasoned chicken. Let it get a beautiful golden-brown sear on each side, about 3-4 minutes per side. You want that nice crust! Don't overcrowd the pan, or it won't brown properly; you might need to do this in batches. This step is key for flavor, so don't rush it like I did one time, resulting in sad, pale chicken. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside; it doesn't need to be cooked through yet.
03 - Reduce the heat to medium. Add a little more olive oil if needed, then toss in your minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about a minute until that garlic is fragrant – oh, the smell! Don't let it burn, though; burnt garlic is a tragedy, and I've been there. Stir in your chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute. This is where the magic really starts to happen, building those deep, savory layers for your Parmesan Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe.
04 - Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan – that's pure flavor, friends! Let it simmer for a couple of minutes to reduce slightly. Then, slowly whisk in the heavy cream. Bring it to a gentle simmer, letting it thicken slightly. This is when the sauce starts to look so luscious. Keep stirring, otherwise, it might stick a bit, a mistake I've definitely made when multitasking!
05 - Once the sauce is simmering, gradually stir in your freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it's completely melted and smooth. The sauce will get even thicker and silkier. Return the seared chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Let it simmer gently for about 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened to your liking. The chicken will finish cooking in this beautiful sauce, soaking up all that goodness.
06 - By now, your pasta should be al dente. Drain it, reserving about a cup of the pasta water (just in case!). Add the cooked pasta directly to the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is coated in that dreamy, creamy sauce. If it seems too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up. Taste and adjust seasonings. Garnish generously with fresh parsley. The final dish should be glistening, fragrant, and utterly irresistible – a true feast for the senses!

# Notes:

01 - Always toast your garlic a little before adding liquids; it makes a huge difference, trust me.
02 - Leftovers keep well for 3 days in the fridge, but the pasta can soak up sauce. Add a splash of milk when reheating!
03 - No chicken? Shrimp works surprisingly well, or even a can of chickpeas for a vegetarian twist.
04 - Serve with a crusty baguette to sop up every last bit of that amazing sauce – it's a must!

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Large skillet
02 - large pot
03 - tongs
04 - whisk

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 650
Total Fat: 42g
Total Carbohydrate: 35g
Protein: 38g

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