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Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta - featured image
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A quick and easy creamy chicken pasta dish with sun-dried tomatoes, perfect for last-minute dinners or parties. Rich, flavorful, and comforting with a luscious sauce made from cream cheese and heavy cream.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, preferably packed in oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • 4 ounces (115 grams) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 g) of penne or rigatoni and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 10-12 minutes). Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/4 cup (60 ml) pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the thinly sliced chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Cook chicken 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
  4. Pour in 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth and 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer. Add softened cream cheese in chunks, stirring until fully melted and smooth. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen.
  5. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes (if using). Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Let sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  6. Return cooked chicken to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Toss gently to coat pasta and chicken evenly with the creamy sauce. Warm through for 1-2 minutes.
  7. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on the side if desired.

Notes

Let cream cheese soften at room temperature before adding to avoid lumps. Use gentle heat when simmering sauce to prevent curdling. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Thinly slice chicken for faster cooking and tenderness. Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil provide better flavor; rehydrate dry ones if needed. For dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream and cream cheese with coconut cream and vegan cream cheese, and Parmesan with nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, easy dinner, quick pasta recipe, creamy sauce, weeknight dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/creamy-marry-me-chicken-pasta-recipe-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-easy-and-delicious/