Description
Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta promises romance on a plate, blending tender chicken with sun-dried tomatoes and a luscious parmesan sauce. Hearty comfort meets Italian-inspired elegance, pulling you into a culinary love story that satisfies deeply.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 16 ounces (453 grams) uncooked penne pasta
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and roughly chopped
- 1 cup fresh spinach
Seasoning and Herbs:
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh basil for garnish
Liquid and Oil Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Prepare the instant pot by activating sauté mode at high temperature. Allow the pot to heat thoroughly before introducing olive oil.
- Sear chicken pieces until they develop a golden-brown exterior, approximately 2-3 minutes, creating a robust flavor foundation.
- Introduce minced garlic and quickly stir for 30 seconds, releasing aromatic compounds without risking burning.
- Deglaze the cooking surface by pouring chicken broth, carefully scraping accumulated browned fragments from the pot’s bottom.
- Layer uncooked penne pasta into the pot, then distribute Italian seasoning, paprika, and pepper across the surface without stirring.
- Secure lid, ensuring pressure valve is sealed, and program the instant pot to high pressure for 4 minutes.
- Execute a quick pressure release by carefully shifting the valve to venting position once cooking completes.
- Thoroughly incorporate grated parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt and integrate with the cooking liquid.
- Stream heavy cream into the mixture, stirring until a smooth, cohesive sauce develops.
- Gently fold fresh spinach and sun-dried tomatoes into the pasta, permitting residual heat to wilt the greens.
- Transfer to serving dishes, garnishing with fresh basil leaves for a vibrant finishing touch.
Notes
- Boost Flavor Depth by browning chicken thoroughly, allowing a golden-brown crust to develop which creates rich, complex taste profiles.
- Prevent Pasta Sticking by avoiding stirring during pressure cooking, letting pasta settle naturally for even cooking and preventing clumping.
- Customize Dietary Needs by substituting heavy cream with coconut milk for dairy-free version or using gluten-free penne for celiac-friendly adaptation.
- Enhance Protein Options by swapping chicken with shredded rotisserie chicken, tofu, or plant-based chicken alternatives for versatile meal preparation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 547
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 460 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 62 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 83 mg