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Marry Me Chicken Pasta That’s Always a Crowd Favorite - Creamy, Cozy, and Easy

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, but adds depth)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (use some oil from the sun-dried tomatoes if you like)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon butter (optional, for extra silkiness)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (or parsley)
  • Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

Method
 

  1. Boil the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
  2. Season the chicken: Pat chicken dry and toss with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika.
  3. Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add chicken in a single layer and cook until browned and just cooked through, 5–7 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
  4. Sauté aromatics: Lower heat to medium. Add garlic and red pepper flakes to the same skillet. Cook 30 seconds, stirring, until fragrant.
  5. Build the sauce: Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook 1 minute. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits. Simmer 2–3 minutes.
  6. Make it creamy: Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan. Simmer gently until slightly thickened, 2–3 minutes. If using, swirl in butter for extra gloss.
  7. Combine: Return chicken and any juices to the skillet. Toss in drained pasta and a splash of reserved pasta water as needed to loosen. Cook 1–2 minutes to marry the flavors.
  8. Finish: Stir in fresh basil. Taste and adjust with salt, pepper, or more Parmesan. Serve hot with lemon wedges on the side, if you like a bright finish.