Description

A rich, creamy, and flavorful Marry Me Chicken Pasta featuring tender bite-sized chicken pieces simmered in a luscious sun-dried tomato cream sauce, served with perfectly cooked penne pasta and garnished with fresh basil. This dish combines the comfort of pasta with a savory, cheesy sauce that’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

For the chicken:

1 tbsp olive oil
1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (pounded to even thickness, cut into 1-inch pieces)
0.5 tsp salt
0.25 tsp black pepper

For the pasta:

10 oz penne pasta

For the sauce:

1 cup drained sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed for best flavor)
3 tbsp butter (preferably Kerrygold for richness)
2 tsp minced garlic (fresh preferred)
3 tbsp flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream (room temperature)
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp paprika
2 tsp dried Italian seasoning

For the garnish:

Fresh basil (torn just before serving)
Additional grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Boil 10 oz penne pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside while you prepare the chicken and sauce.
Prepare and Cook the Chicken: Cut the pounded chicken breasts into 1-inch bite-sized pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Make the Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce: In the same skillet, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Add 2 teaspoons minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 3 tablespoons flour to create a roux paste. Gradually whisk in 2 cups chicken broth followed by 1 cup heavy cream and 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the mixture is smooth. Add 1 cup drained sun-dried tomatoes, 1 teaspoon paprika, and 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer gently for several minutes until thickened and creamy.
Combine Chicken, Pasta, and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Stir thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly in the creamy tomato sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with torn fresh basil leaves. Optionally, sprinkle additional grated Parmesan cheese over the top before serving for extra flavor and richness. Serve hot for a comforting meal.

Notes

Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for the best flavor and texture in the sauce.
Pounding chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures even cooking.
Kerrygold butter adds extra richness but any high-quality unsalted butter works.
Cook pasta just until al dente to avoid overcooking when combining with sauce.
Fresh basil added at the end offers a bright, fresh contrast to the creamy sauce.
For a thicker sauce, simmer longer; for thinner, add a splash of chicken broth or cream.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 32 minutes
Category: Dinner, Chicken, Pasta
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Marry Me Chicken, creamy chicken pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, penne pasta recipe, easy chicken dinner, Italian chicken pasta, one skillet pasta