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Marry Me Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Marry Me Chicken Alfredo Pasta - featured image
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A creamy, dreamy pasta dish featuring tender seared chicken, rich Alfredo sauce, and tangy sun-dried tomatoes. Perfect for date night or any cozy dinner, this easy recipe comes together in about 35 minutes and is sure to impress.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or a mix of dried oregano, basil, and thyme)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika (smoked or sweet)
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 12 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
  • 4 quarts water
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt (for boiling pasta)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (oil-packed, drained)
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil, sliced into ribbons (for garnish)
  • Extra grated Parmesan (for garnish)
  • Cracked black pepper (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pound chicken breasts to even thickness (about 1/2 inch) using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
  2. Pat chicken dry and season both sides with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  3. Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente (about 9-10 minutes for fettuccine). Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 5-6 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Transfer chicken to a plate and tent with foil.
  5. Reduce skillet heat to medium. Add butter, then minced garlic; cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  6. Add sun-dried tomatoes and cook another minute.
  7. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping the pan to loosen browned bits.
  8. Bring to a gentle simmer, then add Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes. Stir until cheese melts and sauce thickens (3-4 minutes). Season with salt and pepper.
  9. Slice rested chicken into strips or bite-size pieces.
  10. Add cooked pasta to the skillet with sauce, tossing to coat. Add reserved pasta water as needed for desired creaminess.
  11. Gently fold in sliced chicken and let everything warm together for 1-2 minutes.
  12. Serve hot, topped with fresh basil, extra Parmesan, and cracked black pepper.

Notes

Let chicken rest before slicing for juicier results. Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. For gluten-free, use GF pasta; for vegetarian, substitute chicken with mushrooms or broccoli. Add a squeeze of lemon for brightness if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken alfredo, creamy pasta, date night dinner, easy chicken recipe, comfort food, marry me chicken, sun-dried tomato pasta, Italian pasta, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/marry-me-chicken-alfredo-pasta-easy-creamy-dinner-recipe/