Description
Tender chicken, tangy sun‑dried tomatoes, and a silky Parmesan cream sauce hug every noodle in this “where‑have‑you‑been‑all‑my‑life?” pasta. It’s quick enough for a weeknight, fancy enough for date night, and so good it might just inspire a proposal.
Ingredients
Chicken & Pasta
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced horizontally if thick
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt, divided
½ teaspoon black pepper, divided
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
12 ounces penne (or your favorite pasta), cooked al dente and drained
Creamy Sun‑Dried Tomato Sauce
3 garlic cloves, minced
½ cup oil‑packed sun‑dried tomatoes, drained and sliced
½ cup low‑sodium chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
¼ teaspoon red‑pepper flakes (optional)
¼ teaspoon additional Italian seasoning
¼ cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
Garnish
Fresh basil leaves, torn
Instructions
Season & Sear
Pat chicken dry. Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium‑high. Add chicken; sear 4–5 minutes per side until golden. Transfer to a plate.
Build the Sauce
Lower heat to medium. Add garlic and sun‑dried tomatoes; sauté 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits. Stir in heavy cream, red‑pepper flakes, and remaining Italian seasoning. Simmer 2 minutes.
Melt & Marry
Whisk Parmesan into the sauce a handful at a time until smooth. Season with remaining salt and pepper.
Finish the Chicken
Return chicken (and any juices) to the skillet. Cover; simmer 5–7 minutes until chicken reaches 165 °F.
Toss the Pasta
Add cooked pasta. If sauce feels thick, splash in reserved pasta water. Toss until every noodle is coated.
Serve & Swoon
Slice chicken, sprinkle basil on top, and dive in while it’s hot and creamy!
Notes
Lighten It Up: Swap half the cream for evaporated milk.
Spice Lover: Double the red‑pepper flakes for extra heat.
Gluten‑Free: Use gluten‑free pasta; everything else stays the same.
Leftovers: Refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of broth or milk.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One‑Pan Sauté
- Cuisine: American‑Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Protein: 38 g
Keywords: marry me chicken pasta recipe, creamy chicken pasta, one‑pan chicken dinner, sun‑dried tomato pasta, easy weeknight meal, halal chicken pasta, quick romantic dinner