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Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Picture this: it’s a busy weeknight, the kids are hungry, and you want to impress your family with a heartfelt meal without spending hours in the kitchen. That’s where Marry Me Chicken Pasta comes into play! This mouthwatering dish combines tender chicken, creamy sauce, and rich flavors that are sure to win everyone over at the dinner table. What makes this recipe unique is its perfect blend of sun-dried tomatoes and Italian seasoning, creating a satisfying dish that simply feels like a warm hug in a bowl. In no time, you’ll have a delicious meal that may just lead to a proposal—or at least some delighted smiles! Here’s everything you need to know to make it tonight.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich, creamy sauce that’s bursting with flavor and comfort.
- Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Feeds a family of 4 for under $15, making it budget-friendly.
- Kid-approved every single time, with no leftovers to worry about!
- One-pot convenience minimizes cleanup and maximizes flavor.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb chicken breast (cubed into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Pepper
- ½ cup All-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Paprika
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Butter
For the Pasta:
- 10 oz Rigatoni (uncooked)
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
For the Sauce:
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp Salt (more or less to taste)
- Red Chili Flakes (to taste)
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated, divided)
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the cubed chicken with salt, pepper, flour, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Toss until chicken is evenly coated.
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Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
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Boil the Pasta: In a large pot, cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
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Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet, add 2 tbsp of olive oil and minced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently.
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Make the Sauce: Add the sun-dried tomatoes and tomato paste, stirring to combine. Pour in the chicken broth, then the heavy cream. Mix well and bring it to a simmer.
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Combine and Finish: Stir in Italian seasoning, dried parsley, salt, and red chili flakes. Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat everything evenly. Sprinkle in half of the Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and creamy.
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Serve: Divide the Marry Me Chicken Pasta into bowls and top with the remaining Parmesan cheese. Enjoy your delicious meal!
Pro Tips & Variations
- For best results: Make sure not to overcrowd the chicken in the skillet; cook in batches if necessary to achieve that perfect golden color.
- Easy swaps: Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a more flavorful dish or swap the rigatoni for gluten-free pasta to suit dietary needs.
- For a lighter option: Consider using half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to help restore creaminess.
FAQ
Can I use chicken thighs instead?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs will add more flavor and remain juicy.
Can I make this ahead?
You can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time, then just boil the pasta when ready to serve.
What can I serve with this?
Pair with a simple green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
Closing
I hope you and your family enjoy this delightful Marry Me Chicken Pasta as much as we do! It’s perfect for those busy nights when you want to serve something special without the fuss. Please leave a comment or rate the recipe—I’d love to know how it turned out for you! Happy cooking!
Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast (cubed into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Pepper
- ½ cup All-purpose flour
- 1½ tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Paprika
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Butter
For the Pasta
- 10 oz Rigatoni (uncooked)
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
For the Sauce
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp Salt (more or less to taste)
- Red Chili Flakes (to taste)
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated, divided)
Instructions
Preparation
- In a bowl, combine the cubed chicken with salt, pepper, flour, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Toss until chicken is evenly coated.
Cooking the Chicken
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Cooking the Pasta
- In a large pot, cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Making the Sauce
- In the same skillet, add 2 tbsp of olive oil and minced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring frequently.
- Add the sun-dried tomatoes and tomato paste, stirring to combine. Pour in the chicken broth, then the heavy cream. Mix well and bring it to a simmer.
Combining and Finishing
- Stir in Italian seasoning, dried parsley, salt, and red chili flakes. Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat everything evenly.
- Sprinkle in half of the Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and creamy.
Serving
- Divide the Marry Me Chicken Pasta into bowls and top with the remaining Parmesan cheese. Enjoy your delicious meal!