Description
Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a luscious and comforting dish featuring tender pieces of chicken simmered in a rich, garlicky cream sauce with fresh spinach and Parmesan. Paired with perfectly cooked pasta, this easy-to-make recipe brings a restaurant-quality meal to your dinner table in just 40 minutes, ideal for a cozy weeknight or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs), chopped into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
Other Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta (fettuccine or penne)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Chop the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking throughout the dish.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Spinach: When the chicken is nearly cooked, add the minced garlic to the skillet, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the fresh spinach and cook until wilted.
- Make Cream Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream. Stir gently as the cream begins to thicken. Add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and stir continuously until the sauce becomes rich and creamy.
- Cook Pasta: While preparing the sauce, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving a small amount of pasta water.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Mix the drained pasta into the creamy chicken mixture in the skillet. If desired, add lemon juice for brightness. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- Serve: Plate the creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta immediately while hot, optionally garnished with extra Parmesan or fresh herbs.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter option, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Using fresh Parmesan cheese greatly enhances the flavor and creaminess of the sauce.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Spinach can be replaced with kale or arugula for a different leafy green twist.
- Lemon juice adds a nice acidity balancing the richness but is optional based on preference.
