Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish that combines tender seasoned chicken, al dente penne pasta, and a rich sun-dried tomato and Parmesan cream sauce with fresh spinach. This quick and comforting 30-minute skillet recipe is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner and guaranteed to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cubed
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Pasta
- 14 oz penne pasta
- Water for boiling
- 2 tbsp salted butter
Sauce & Vegetables
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup dry white wine
- ¼ cup chicken stock
- ⅔ cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 3 cups baby spinach leaves
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Season & Sear the Chicken: Toss the cubed chicken with sea salt, paprika, onion powder, and black pepper until evenly coated. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the seasoned chicken to the skillet and cook for approximately 8 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, melt the salted butter. Add the sliced red onions and sauté for about 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Deglaze & Build the Sauce: Pour the dry white wine and chicken stock into the skillet, scraping the pan to loosen any browned bits. Let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 2-3 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Reduce the heat to low and slowly add the heavy cream to the pan. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Add Spinach & Combine Everything: Toss in the baby spinach leaves and stir until wilted. Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet. Mix all ingredients together, ensuring the pasta and chicken are well-coated with the sauce.
- Serve & Garnish: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and crushed red pepper flakes if desired. Serve the Marry Me Chicken Pasta hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, substitute penne pasta with gluten-free pasta.
- Use chicken thighs for a juicier, more flavorful result.
- Dry white wine can be substituted with additional chicken stock or water if preferred.
- Crushed red pepper flakes add a nice spicy kick but are optional.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
