Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts baked in a rich Parmesan and cream sauce, served over perfectly cooked penne pasta. This comforting recipe combines the zing of garlic, a hint of red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning for a delightful one-skillet meal that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta and Garnish
- 8 oz penne pasta
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken and sauce together.
- Season the chicken: Season both sides of the boneless, skinless chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Heat olive oil: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat to prepare for searing the chicken.
- Sear the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the hot skillet and sear for about 4-5 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and develop a delicious crust.
- Set chicken aside: Remove the seared chicken breasts from the skillet and set them aside on a plate temporarily.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, releasing its aroma into the pan.
- Add broth and seasonings: Pour in the chicken broth, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning into the skillet.
- Simmer to reduce: Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the liquid to reduce slightly.
- Make the sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, combining until the sauce is rich, creamy, and slightly thickened.
- Return chicken to skillet: Place the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet, spooning some sauce over them to coat and flavor the meat.
- Bake the chicken: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Cook pasta: While the chicken bakes, prepare the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain.
- Rest the chicken: Once baked, remove the skillet from the oven and allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes to lock in juices.
- Serve: Serve the baked chicken breasts over a bed of the cooked penne pasta.
- Garnish: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top to add a fresh, vibrant touch before serving. Enjoy your Marry Me Chicken Pasta!
Notes
- For best results, use an oven-safe skillet to seamlessly transfer from stovetop to oven.
- If you prefer less heat, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- Freshly grated Parmesan works better than pre-grated for melting and flavor.
- Leftovers store well in the fridge and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
