Description
This Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful, and romantic dish that blends tender chicken, sundried tomatoes, spinach, and pasta in a rich Parmesan-cream sauce. Perfect for date night, family dinner, or when you want a restaurant-quality meal at home, this recipe is indulgent yet simple enough for a weeknight.
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
1½ cups half and half or heavy cream
1¼ cups chicken broth
½ bouillon cube
2 tsp honey
1 tsp hot sauce (like Frank’s)
1 tsp Dijon mustard
¾ tsp onion powder
¾ tsp dried parsley
¾ tsp dried oregano
¾ tsp dried basil
For the Chicken & Pasta:
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
Salt and pepper, to taste
½ cup dry white wine (or extra broth)
3 tbsp butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp flour
⅓ cup sundried tomatoes (reserve oil)
¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
4 tbsp cream cheese, softened
2 cups packed spinach
¾ lb ziti pasta
Instructions
In a measuring cup, whisk cream, broth, bouillon, honey, hot sauce, Dijon, onion powder, parsley, oregano, and basil. Set aside.
Slice chicken breasts lengthwise, pound thin, and cut into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt and pepper.
Heat 1–2 tbsp sundried tomato oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden, 5–7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Deglaze skillet with white wine, scraping browned bits. Reduce by half, about 3–4 minutes. Add butter and garlic, cooking 1 minute.
Stir in tomato paste and flour; cook 2 minutes.
Slowly whisk in prepared sauce mixture. Add sundried tomatoes. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to low. Stir in cream cheese until melted.
Simmer partially covered while pasta cooks. Gradually add Parmesan, stirring until smooth. Add spinach and cook 1 minute until wilted.
Return chicken and juices to skillet. Add pasta and toss to coat. Serve hot with extra Parmesan.
Notes
Pound chicken evenly for quick, tender cooking.
Use reserved sundried tomato oil for extra flavor.
Replace wine with broth for an alcohol-free version.
Add spinach last to keep it bright and tender.
Freshly grated Parmesan melts better than pre-shredded.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish / Pasta
- Method: Stovetop skillet + boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American