Description
Easy Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a flavorful and creamy pasta dish featuring tender, seasoned chicken breasts cooked to perfection and combined with a rich sauce made from butter, shallots, chicken stock, sundried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese. This comforting meal is ready in just 30 minutes and serves four, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
Pasta
- 16 oz bowtie pasta
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 shallot, sliced
- 2 tbsp flour
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup sundried tomatoes
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Rub this seasoning blend evenly on the chicken breasts and set aside to let the flavors meld.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the bowtie pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook undisturbed on one side for 5 minutes.
- Finish Cooking the Chicken: Flip the chicken and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside to rest.
- Sauté Shallots and Prepare Roux: To the same pan, add butter and the sliced shallot. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the shallots soften. Sprinkle the flour over the shallots and stir well to coat them, creating a roux base for the sauce.
- Add Chicken Stock: Gradually pour in the chicken stock, 1 cup at a time, stirring continuously. Allow the sauce to thicken for 2-3 minutes before adding more stock.
- Incorporate Sundried Tomatoes and Seasoning: Stir in the sundried tomatoes and Italian seasoning to infuse additional flavor into the sauce.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Turn off the heat and stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss gently to coat the noodles thoroughly with the sauce.
- Serve with Chicken: Slice or dice the cooked chicken and place it over the pasta. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Marry Me Chicken Pasta!
Notes
- Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melting and flavor.
- You can substitute bowtie pasta with other short pasta shapes like penne or rotini.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Sundried tomatoes packed in oil add more flavor, but be sure to drain excess oil before adding.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
