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Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe Easy 30-Minute Comfort Meal

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A quick and easy creamy chicken pasta dish with a rich garlic cream sauce, perfect for cozy dinners and busy evenings. This comforting meal combines tender chicken, a silky sauce, and your favorite pasta for a soul-soothing experience.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450 g), sliced into strips
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • ½ cup chicken broth (120 ml), low sodium preferred
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (50 g), freshly grated
  • 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or a mix of basil, oregano, and thyme)
  • Red pepper flakes to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish)
  • 8 ounces (225 g) pasta (fettuccine or penne recommended)
  • Salt (for pasta water)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions (usually 10-12 minutes) until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, pat chicken strips dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and sear until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown it.
  4. Pour in 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream and ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  5. Stir in ½ cup (50 g) freshly grated Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Keep stirring until cheese melts and sauce thickens slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  6. Add chicken back into the sauce, coating each piece. Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together to combine. Heat through for 2 minutes to marry flavors.
  7. Remove from heat, sprinkle with fresh chopped basil, and serve immediately. Optionally, add a final grind of black pepper on top.

Notes

If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water or broth to loosen it. If too thin, simmer a bit longer but watch carefully to avoid burning. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melt and flavor. Avoid overcooking chicken to keep it tender. Simmer sauce gently to prevent curdling. Reserve some pasta water to help sauce cling better. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with almond milk or coconut cream and use dairy-free Parmesan alternatives. Gluten-free pasta can be used as a substitute.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, marry me chicken, quick dinner, comfort food, easy pasta recipe, garlic cream sauce, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://milacook.com/creamy-marry-me-chicken-pasta-recipe-easy-30-minute-comfort-meal/