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Marry Me Chicken Penne Pasta

Marry Me Chicken Penne Pasta

This Marry Me Chicken Penne Pasta is creamy, flavorful, and ultra-comforting—perfect for cozy nights or special dinners. Tender chicken bites are seasoned and seared until golden, then simmered in a luxurious sauce made with garlic, onion, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, heavy cream, and chicken broth. The pasta is tossed into the sauce with Parmesan and fresh basil, creating a dish that's both rich and herbaceous. Finished with more cheese and basil, this pasta is a guaranteed hit that lives up to its name.

Author: These Carbs Don't Count

Meal Type: Peanuts Free

Cuisine: American

Difficulty: MEDIUM

Prep. Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Servings: 3 bowls

Calories: 1,159 kcal per serving

Ingredients

  • ½ lb - pasta
  • 2 - chicken breasts
  • 1 tsp - salt
  • ½ tsp - black pepper
  • ½ tsp - onion powder
  • ½ tsp - garlic powder
  • ½ tsp - paprika
  • ½ tsp - dried basil
  • 1 tbsp - olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons - butter
  • 1 - onion
  • 3 cloves - garlic
  • ½ cup - sun-dried tomatoes
  • 1 handful - fresh spinach
  • 1 cup - heavy cream
  • ½ cup - chicken broth
  • ½ tsp - salt
  • ¼ tsp - black pepper
  • ½ tsp - onion powder
  • ½ tsp - garlic powder
  • ½ tsp - paprika
  • ½ tsp - dried basil
  • 1 cup - grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 handful - fresh basil
  • Reserved pasta water

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
  2. Season chicken with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and dried basil. Mix to coat.
  3. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add chicken and sear on both sides until cooked through. Remove from pan.
  4. Add butter and diced onion to the same pan. Season with salt and pepper and cook until tender.
  5. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. Cook until spinach wilts.
  6. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir and bring to a simmer.
  7. Season sauce with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and dried basil.
  8. Add cooked pasta, seared chicken, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil. Toss everything together.
  9. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Mix well.
  10. Serve topped with more Parmesan and fresh basil.

Nutrition

Energy: 1,159 kcal | Total Fat: 68 g | Saturated: 35 g | Trans: 0 g | Cholesterol: 234 mg | Total Carbs: 89 g | Fiber: 7 g | Sugars: 14 g | Proteins: 52 g | Sodium: 2,122 mg | Polyunsaturated: 6 g | Monounsaturated: 21 g

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