Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta with Spinach is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich sun-dried tomato cream sauce with garlic, herbs, and Parmesan cheese, tossed with pasta and fresh spinach. This comforting meal is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner and ready in about 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta and Greens
- 8 ounces pasta (fettuccine or penne)
- 3 cups fresh spinach
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in heavy cream, chicken broth, sun-dried tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes if using. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Slice the cooked chicken into strips. Add the chicken back into the skillet with the sauce. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and fresh spinach. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and cheese melts.
- Mix with Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce and to distribute the chicken and spinach.
- Serve: Serve the Marry Me Chicken Pasta hot, topped with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- Use chicken breasts that are even in thickness for uniform cooking.
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce.
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil provide richer flavor, but drained dry tomatoes can also be used.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to desired spiciness.
- Fresh basil makes an excellent garnish to brighten the flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
