Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta with Spinach is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts in a rich sauce made from heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese. Combined with fresh spinach and perfectly cooked pasta, this recipe delivers a comforting yet elegant meal ready in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta and Vegetables
- 8 ounces pasta (such as fettuccine or penne)
- 3 cups fresh spinach
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 5 to 7 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in heavy cream, chicken broth, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes if using. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Cook the Pasta: While sauce simmers, cook pasta in boiling salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Slice the cooked chicken breasts into strips. Return them to the skillet with the sauce. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and fresh spinach. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until spinach is wilted and cheese is melted.
- Mix with Pasta: Add cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss thoroughly to coat pasta evenly with sauce and to distribute chicken and spinach.
- Serve: Serve the dish hot, optionally garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil for extra flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for deeper flavor or rehydrate dry-packed tomatoes before adding.
- For a spicier dish, increase red pepper flakes slightly or add freshly cracked black pepper.
- Any medium to long pasta shapes work well; penne or fettuccine are ideal.
- Can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter option, though sauce will be less rich.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently to avoid curdling the sauce.
