Description
Succulent marry me chicken pasta promises a romantic culinary journey through creamy Italian-inspired flavors. Tender chicken nestled in a luxurious sauce guarantees to sweep you off your feet with its irresistible charm.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Pasta:
- 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
- 10 ounces (280 grams) penne pasta
Seasonings and Spices:
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
Sauce and Additional Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh basil (for garnish)
Instructions
- Boil penne pasta in salted water until al dente at 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
- Pat chicken pieces dry and season generously with salt and cracked black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat around 375°F. Sear chicken for 6-7 minutes, ensuring golden brown exterior and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken from skillet, keeping warm on a separate plate.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium. Melt butter and quickly sauté minced garlic until aromatic, approximately 30 seconds.
- Sprinkle flour into butter-garlic mixture, creating a light roux. Stir continuously for 60 seconds to eliminate raw flour taste.
- Slowly incorporate chicken broth, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese, whisking constantly to prevent lumps and create smooth consistency.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Adjust salt and pepper levels to enhance flavor profile.
- Simmer sauce for 3-4 minutes until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Reintroduce chicken and pasta into sauce, gently tossing to ensure complete coating.
- Finish dish with fresh basil leaves and additional parmesan cheese sprinkled on top before serving immediately.
Notes
- Choose tender, thin chicken breasts for quicker and more even cooking throughout the dish.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure a crispy, golden-brown exterior when searing.
- Adjust the thickness of the sauce by adding more chicken broth if it becomes too dense during simmering.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt to reduce calories.
- Vegetarian option: Replace chicken with roasted cauliflower or white beans for protein-rich alternative.
- Gluten-free adaptation: Use cornstarch instead of flour for sauce thickening and gluten-free pasta.
- Fresh herbs like basil or oregano can elevate the flavor profile and add vibrant color to the final presentation.
- Create a spicier version by adding red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper during sauce preparation.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 678 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 48 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg