Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful one-pan pasta dish combining tender shredded chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and a luscious Parmesan-infused cream sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this comforting recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that feels gourmet.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta (any shape)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ⅓ cup dry white wine or chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Chicken
- 2 cups cooked or rotisserie chicken, shredded
Finishing
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1 small handful fresh basil, torn or chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve a cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Make Sauce: While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle in the all-purpose flour and whisk continuously for about 1 minute to make a roux, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Add Aromatics and Liquids: Stir in the minced garlic, tomato paste, and dry white wine (or chicken broth if preferred). Cook this mixture for about 1 minute, allowing the alcohol to cook off and the flavors to meld.
- Thicken Sauce with Cream and Flavorings: Slowly whisk in the heavy cream, then add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, and shredded chicken. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon, approximately 3-5 minutes.
- Incorporate Cheese and Herbs: Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped basil. Remove the skillet from heat and season the sauce generously with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss gently to coat the noodles completely with the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to desired consistency.
- Serve: Plate the pasta immediately and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and basil if desired. Serve hot for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Using rotisserie chicken saves time and adds extra flavor to the dish.
- Dry white wine can be substituted with chicken broth for a non-alcoholic version.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if it becomes too thick.
- Add more crushed red pepper flakes for extra heat if preferred.
- Fresh basil adds brightness; dried basil can be used if fresh is unavailable but add less in amount.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
