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Marry Me Chicken Pasta with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

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Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish made with tender seasoned chicken, rigatoni, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, Parmesan, and a rich cream sauce. It is a comforting main course for a weeknight dinner or a special meal.

Ingredients

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Chicken Ingredients

  • 1 lb chicken breast, cubed into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Pasta Ingredients

  • 10 oz uncooked rigatoni
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon dried parsley
  • ½ teaspoon salt, more or less to taste
  • Red chili flakes, to taste
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Instructions

Chicken Instructions

  1. Season the chicken. Season the cubed chicken with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper.
  2. Prepare the flour coating. In a gallon-sized resealable plastic bag, combine the all-purpose flour, 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Add the chicken and shake to coat evenly. Remove the chicken and shake off excess flour. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the flour mixture.
  3. Cook the chicken. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil with 2 tablespoons butter. Add the chicken and cook until browned on one side, about 3–4 minutes. Turn and cook until browned on the other side and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  4. Set aside. Transfer the cooked chicken to a separate plate.

Pasta Instructions

  1. Cook the rigatoni. Cook the rigatoni according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Sauté the garlic. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and the minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 1–2 minutes, or until fragrant.
  3. Make the sauce base. Add the drained sun-dried tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken broth, and heavy whipping cream. Stir to combine.
  4. Season the sauce. Add the Italian seasoning, dried parsley, ½ teaspoon salt, and red chili flakes to taste. Stir well.
  5. Thicken the sauce. In a small separate bowl, combine the reserved 1 tablespoon flour mixture with 3 tablespoons of the sauce from the pan. Stir until a paste forms, then return the paste to the skillet along with ½ cup Parmesan cheese. Stir until the sauce thickens.
  6. Add the pasta. Add the cooked rigatoni and stir for about 1 minute, or until everything is warmed through.
  7. Finish with chicken and cheese. Return the chicken to the skillet and top with the remaining ½ cup Parmesan. Mix to combine and cook uncovered for a few more minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
  8. Serve. Serve warm and enjoy.

Notes

  • Chicken: Chicken thighs can be used instead of chicken breasts.
  • Flour: The flour coating helps form a crust on the chicken. Gluten-free flour can be substituted if needed.
  • Garlic: Fresh minced garlic is recommended, but jarred minced garlic can also be used.
  • Sun-dried tomatoes: Use tomatoes packed in oil and drain them before adding.
  • Cream: Half-and-half can be used as a substitute for heavy whipping cream. Milk or a lower-fat alternative is not recommended in the original recipe.
  • Red chili flakes: These are optional and can be adjusted to taste.
  • Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan melts well, but other grated Parmesan can be used.
  • Pasta: Penne or another pasta shape can be substituted for rigatoni.
  • Sauce consistency: For a thicker sauce, simmer longer to cook off moisture. For a thinner sauce, add more cream, chicken broth, or a splash of water.
  • Seasoning: Taste the sauce and adjust the salt, pepper, or cream as desired.
  • Skillet: Use the same skillet for the chicken and sauce. The browned bits left from cooking the chicken add flavor to the sauce.
  • Recipe copyright: The Domestic Spoon. For educational or personal use only.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingrecipetips.com/marry-me-chicken-pasta-with-creamy-sun-dried-tomato-sauce/