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Easy Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta Skillet

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A quick and comforting creamy chicken pasta skillet recipe that combines tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce, perfect for cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil preferred)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream (or half-and-half or dairy-free substitute)
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 8 oz (225 g) uncooked pasta (penne or rigatoni recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • A handful fresh basil, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Slice chicken breasts into 1-inch bite-sized pieces. Mince garlic and chop sun-dried tomatoes. Grate Parmesan if not pre-grated. (About 10 minutes prep)
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. When shimmering, add chicken pieces seasoned lightly with salt and pepper. Cook 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Lower heat to medium. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Stir frequently for 1–2 minutes until fragrant and garlic is golden but not burnt.
  4. Pour in 1 cup chicken broth and 1 cup heavy cream. Stir in Italian seasoning and optional crushed red pepper flakes. Bring to a gentle simmer, about 3 minutes.
  5. Add uncooked pasta directly to the skillet. Stir to combine and ensure pasta is submerged. Cover with lid and cook 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add water or broth if liquid reduces too quickly.
  6. Once pasta is tender and most liquid absorbed, stir in grated Parmesan cheese and return cooked chicken to skillet. Stir gently to combine and melt cheese. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the top. Let rest 1–2 minutes to thicken slightly before serving.

Notes

Do not overcrowd the pan when searing chicken to ensure browning. Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for best flavor or rehydrate dry ones. Stir pasta occasionally while cooking to prevent sticking. Adjust seasoning after adding Parmesan to avoid oversalting. Fresh basil added at the end brightens the dish. If sauce is too thick, add a splash of cream or broth; if too thin, simmer uncovered to reduce.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, skillet dinner, quick chicken recipe, easy pasta skillet, Marry Me Chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan sauce

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/easy-creamy-marry-me-chicken-pasta-skillet-recipe-for-quick-dinners/