Description
Creamy one pot marry me chicken pasta brings irresistible Italian-inspired comfort directly to your dinner table. Rich parmesan, tender chicken, and silky sauce promise to sweep you off your feet with its effortless charm and delectable flavor profile.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound chicken breasts (sliced thin)
Dry Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 8 ounces (226 grams) penne (uncooked)
- 1/2 teaspoon italian seasoning (no salt added)
Liquid and Flavoring Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flake
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup julienne sun dried tomatoes in oil (drained)
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly shredded)
- Fresh basil
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare chicken by patting dry and seasoning with salt and pepper. Coat lightly with flour, ensuring even coverage for optimal browning.
- Heat olive oil in skillet over medium-high temperature. Sear chicken until golden brown on both sides, creating a delectable exterior without fully cooking the interior. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
- Reduce heat to medium and melt butter. Introduce minced garlic and red pepper flakes, stirring until aromatic and fragrant, approximately 60 seconds.
- Pour chicken broth and cream into the skillet, deglazing pan and incorporating all caramelized flavor remnants from chicken searing.
- Add uncooked pasta directly into sauce, positioning seared chicken pieces on top. Cover skillet and reduce heat, allowing mixture to simmer for 18-20 minutes until pasta absorbs liquid and becomes tender.
- Once pasta reaches desired consistency, remove chicken momentarily. Incorporate Parmesan cheese, stirring until sauce transforms into a smooth, creamy texture.
- Garnish with freshly chopped basil leaves, providing a vibrant herbaceous note. Slice or dice chicken and reintegrate into pasta, ensuring even distribution of proteins and sauce.
Notes
- Dredging chicken in flour creates a delicate golden crust that locks in moisture and adds delightful texture to the dish.
- Scraping browned bits from the pan intensifies the sauce’s richness by capturing deep, caramelized flavors developed during cooking.
- Cooking pasta directly in the creamy sauce allows it to soak up all the delicious liquid, resulting in incredibly flavorful and tender noodles.
- Swap regular pasta for gluten-free or whole wheat versions, use plant-based cream for a dairy-free alternative, or replace chicken with tofu or mushrooms for vegetarian preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 735
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 47 g
- Cholesterol: 170 mg