Description
Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a rich and comforting dish featuring tender chicken pieces cooked in a luscious sauce made with heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, fresh garlic, and spinach. Paired with perfectly al dente fettuccine or penne, this meal offers a delightful blend of savory flavors and creamy textures that are perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken & Seasoning
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
Pasta
- 8 oz pasta (fettuccine or penne)
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Chop the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly and quickly.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, and cook, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
- Sauté Garlic and Spinach: When the chicken is nearly done, add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Then stir in fresh spinach and cook until wilted, around 1-2 minutes.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream. Stir gently as the cream thickens slightly. Once thickened, mix in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes creamy and smooth.
- Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and reserve some pasta cooking water if needed to adjust sauce consistency.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the creamy chicken mixture. Stir gently to coat all the pasta evenly with the sauce. Optionally, add lemon juice for a bright, fresh flavor and mix well.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and smooth melting texture.
- Reserve some pasta water to thin out the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Lemon juice is optional but adds a nice brightness to the rich sauce.
- Spinach can be substituted with kale or arugula for variation.
- Cook chicken thoroughly until no longer pink inside to ensure food safety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
