Description
Marry me chicken pasta promises culinary magic with its rich, creamy sauce and tender chicken. Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbs combine to create a memorable meal you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (fettuccine or penne)
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Seasoning: Evenly coat chicken tenderloins with kosher salt and black pepper, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Searing: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Introduce chicken, creating a golden-brown exterior for 5-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F, achieving a crisp, caramelized finish.
- Resting: Remove chicken from skillet, allowing it to rest while preparing the sauce foundation.
- Sauce Development: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant. Incorporate heavy cream, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring periodically to thicken and intensify flavors.
- Pasta Preparation: Cook pasta in salted water until al dente, reserving some pasta water before draining.
- Combining: Slice chicken into diagonal strips and reintroduce to the creamy sauce. Add drained pasta, tossing thoroughly to ensure complete sauce coverage. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if necessary.
- Finishing: Garnish with fresh basil leaves and an optional Parmesan cheese sprinkle. Serve immediately, presenting a luxurious and aromatic culinary creation.
Notes
- Chicken Temperature Check: Ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internal temperature to guarantee safe, perfectly cooked meat without dryness.
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve some starchy pasta water before draining; it helps create a silky, clingy sauce that effortlessly coats every pasta strand.
- Flavor Layering Technique: Sauté garlic in the same skillet used for chicken to capture and enhance all the delicious browned bits and caramelized flavors.
- Sauce Consistency Secret: Simmer sauce on low heat to develop rich, deep flavors and allow natural thickening without scorching or separating cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 719
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 705 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 66 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg