Description
This creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta combines tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and parmesan in a rich, flavorful sauce tossed with pasta. It’s a comforting and satisfying dinner that’s quick enough for weeknights.
Ingredients
- 8 oz (225g) rigatoni or penne pasta
- 2 chicken breasts (about 400g/1 lb), diced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste/puree
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 cup (150g) sun-dried tomatoes (from oil), sliced
- 2 cups (60g) spinach leaves
- 1 cup (250ml) heavy cream (double cream)
- 1/2 cup (125ml) cooking pasta water
- 1/2 cup (60g) grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Season the diced chicken with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté the shallot and garlic for about 2 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste and oregano.
- Add the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Pour in the reserved pasta water and heavy cream. Stir in the parmesan cheese and simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 1 minute.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta and toss until evenly coated in the creamy sauce. Add additional pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes before serving.
Notes
- Use penne, rigatoni, or any short pasta that holds sauce well.
- For extra spice, increase the red pepper flakes to taste.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Add a splash of cream or milk when reheating to loosen the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 920 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 68 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 52 g
- Cholesterol: 185 mg
