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–+ servings
Loaded Marry Me Chicken Pasta in a white bowl with a spoon and bread.

Loaded Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Loaded Marry Me Chicken Pasta, smothered with fresh basil, parmesan cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes. Then simmered in a homemade creamy herbed sauce. This dinner comes together easily, highlights in-season tomatoes, and is so delicious! Serve with crusty, toasted bread for mopping up that yummy cream sauce!
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 900 kcal

Equipment

  • 12" skillet
  • stock pot

Ingredients
  

  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ⅓ cup sun dried tomatoes chopped
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste or tomato powder
  • 1 teaspoon oregano dried or fresh
  • 1 teaspoon basil dried or fresh
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ cup parmesan freshly grated
  • 16 ounces cavatappi pasta cooked al dente

Instructions
 

  1. Preheat a skillet over medium heat for several minutes. While the skillet is heating, prep the chicken by chopping it into bite-sided pieces. Once the skillet is hot, but not smoking, add the olive oil, chicken, garlic powder, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Do not stir the chicken for several minutes. This will allow it to caramelize and sear through. After two minutes, flip the chicken so the uncooked side is touching the skillet. Cook two minutes more. Test for doneness and remove the chicken from the pan when it is cooked through. 
  2. Begin boiling the pasta in salted water according to package directions.
  3. The skillet will have browned bits in the bottom, and that is just perfect! Leave them there. Add the flour and butter to the skillet and begin stirring with either a metal whisk or a flat bottomed metal spatula/turner. Really scrape at the bottom of the pan while continually stirring the butter and flour. This step takes about 1-2 minutes. 
  4. Pour the broth into the pan and stir or whisk continually. Scrape the bottom of the pan with the utensil to release the browned bits from the skillet. Once the broth begins simmering, pour in the cream. Reduce the heat and continue to simmer for five minutes or until the sauce thickens and reduces by almost half.
  5. Add the dried basil, oregano, tomato paste (or powder) and sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce and whisk until smooth.
  6. After letting it thicken to your desired consistency, remove from the heat, and stir in the parmesan and basil. 
  7. Add the pasta and cooked chicken into the sauce. 
  8. Toss the pasta and chicken in the cream sauce until evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Hint: Cook the pasta in broth to enhance the flavors and nutritional value. I either substitute all of the water for chicken broth, or even just half.
What is the best way to store Marry Me Chicken Pasta?
Any leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator in an air tight glass container.
How long is this chicken recipe good for?
Use any leftovers within 3-5 days if stored in the refrigerator. This recipe can be frozen for up to one month. Reheat any leftovers in the microwave or in the oven.

SUBSTITUTIONS & VARIATIONS FOR MARRY ME CHICKEN

  • If you have a picky eater in your house who doesn't like sun-dried tomatoes, I would chop up a small Roma or slice cherry tomatoes and use them instead. My best trick for getting my kids to eat tomatoes is by drying tomatoes and grinding them into a powder, just like onion or garlic powder. It blends smoothly into recipes, no chunky pieces!
  • This recipe could be made gluten free by simple leaving out the pasta or using a gluten free option for the flour and pasta.
  • When the garden is bursting with vegetables, get creative! This is delicious with diced zucchini, fresh peas or yellow squash.
  • This recipe is not written for a vegan diet. While there are options for substituting the cheese and cream, I would not recommend it.
  • You may substitute the chicken broth for whey, white wine or vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Calories: 900kcalCarbohydrates: 96gProtein: 47gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 19gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 157mgSodium: 639mgPotassium: 1130mgFiber: 5gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 1283IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 245mgIron: 3mg
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