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Marry Me Chicken Pasta

A delightful dish of tender chicken in a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, perfect for impressing someone special or a cozy family dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 619
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main ingredients
  • 3 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces Pat dry for better sear
  • 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt Divided use
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream Can substitute with half-and-half or non-dairy alternative
  • 0.5 cup chicken stock
  • 1 teaspoon chicken flavor "Better Than Bouillon" or 1 chicken bouillon cube
  • 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese Divided use
  • 1 7-ounce jar sun-dried tomatoes, drained and roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 0.5 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) Adjust according to spice preference
  • 0.25 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves Add just before serving
  • 0.75 pound penne pasta Can substitute with any pasta shape

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season with 1 teaspoon of salt.
Cooking
  1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until browned all over, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
  2. In the same skillet, add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  3. Stir in heavy cream, chicken stock, bouillon, 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, pepper, and the remaining salt.
  4. Return chicken to the skillet, bring to a simmer, and cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, about 5 to 8 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 0.25 cup of pasta water and drain.
  6. Add pasta to the sauce along with reserved pasta water, toss to combine, and serve topped with basil, remaining Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

Serve warm garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Pairs well with a green salad or garlic bread. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove.