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Easy Marry Me Chicken Pasta photo

Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Pan-fried chicken in a creamy sun-dried tomato Parmesan sauce served over rotini pasta.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 2 lbschicken breastspounded or sliced thin or chicken cutlets
  • 1/2 cupall purpose flour
  • 2 tbspvegetable oil
  • 1 tspsalt
  • 1 tspgarlic powder
  • 1 tsppaprika
  • 1 tspblack pepper
  • 2 tbspbutter
  • 2 tbspminced garlic
  • 1 cupchicken broth
  • 1 cupheavy whipping cream
  • 1/3 cupchopped sun-dried tomatoes
  • 1 cupParmesan CheeseShredded not grated
  • 1 tspdried Oregano
  • 1 tspdried thyme
  • red pepper flakesto taste/optional
  • 16 oz.Rotini Pastacooked
  • 1 chopped fresh parsleyfor topping
  • 1/2 cupshredded Parmesan Cheesefor topping

Equipment

  • cast iron pan

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Cook the 16 oz rotini according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, keeping warm.
  2. If needed, pound or slice the 2 lbs chicken breasts to an even thickness (about cutlets) so they cook evenly.
  3. In a shallow dish, mix ½ cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp paprika, and 1 tsp black pepper.
  4. Dredge each chicken piece in the seasoned flour, coating both sides, and shake off any excess flour.
  5. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil and 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat until the butter is melted and the oil shimmers.
  6. Add the dredged chicken to the skillet and cook until golden and cooked through, about 8–10 minutes total (flip once). Chicken should register 165°F at its thickest point. Transfer the chicken to a plate and keep warm.
  7. To the same skillet, add 2 tbsp minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant (about 30 seconds), scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
  8. Pour in 1 cup chicken broth and 1 cup heavy whipping cream, then add ⅓ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried thyme, and red pepper flakes to taste. Stir to combine.
  9. Increase heat to medium-high and stir frequently until the sauce is hot and bubbly. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens slightly and the cheese is melted.
  10. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and simmer for a few minutes to heat through and coat with sauce.
  11. Serve the chicken and sauce over the cooked rotini. Top with ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese and the chopped fresh parsley.

Notes

This dish assumes 2 lbs of chicken, which can roughly equal 6-8 chicken breasts depending on the size. Please adjust for family needs.
Large chicken breasts should be pounded to thinner pieces to ensure fast and even golden brown cooking.Chicken cutlets also work greatand are usually uniform in size.
Chicken thighs can be more cost-effective in today’s economy regarding food availability and price and provide a lot of extra flavors.It’s OK to use skinless chicken thighs in this dishand alter the timing until chicken pieces are properly cooked and move on with the rest of the instructions.
While the flour and cream sauce is fully seasoned, it’s fine toseason chicken with salt, ground pepper, or Italian seasoning before adding flour.
We suggest rotini pasta to hold all thatdelicious sauce, but cooked pasta types can easily be varied (or skipped entirely for a more carb-friendly version). Transfer the creamy chicken to fettuccini, pappardelle, penne, or any of your favorite pasta.