Italian seasoning 1 teaspoon Or mix of dried basiloregano, and thyme
Red pepper flakes 1/4 teaspoon Adjust to taste
Parmesan cheese 1/2 cupfreshly grated Plus extra for serving
Fresh basil 1/4 cupchopped For garnish
Fettuccine pasta 12 ounces Penne or linguine work well too
Salt 1 tablespoon For pasta water
Reserved pasta water 1/2 cup To adjust sauce consistency
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken Foundation❶ Place chicken breasts on a cutting board and carefully slice horizontally to create thinner cutlets, or place between plastic wrap and pound to an even 1/2-inch thickness.❷ In a shallow dish, combine flour with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.❸ Pat chicken dry with paper towels—this crucial step ensures proper browning.❹ Lightly dredge each chicken piece in the seasoned flour, shaking gently to remove excess. Master the Perfect Chicken Sear❶ Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking.❷ Carefully place floured chicken pieces in the hot pan, being careful not to overcrowd (work in batches if necessary).❸ Cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until deeply golden brown on the first side.❹ Flip once and cook an additional 3-4 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160-165°F.❺ Transfer chicken to a clean plate and tent loosely with foil to keep warm while capturing valuable resting juices. Create the Signature Sauce❶ Reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic to the same pan, sautéing for just 30-45 seconds until fragrant but not browned.❷ Pour in chicken broth while using a wooden spoon to scrape up all the flavorful browned bits from the pan bottom.❸ Once deglazed, stir in heavy cream, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.❹ Bring mixture to a gentle simmer (small bubbles around the edges, not a rolling boil).❺ Allow sauce to reduce and thicken slightly for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.❻ Reduce heat to low and stir in grated Parmesan cheese until completely melted and incorporated.❼ Taste sauce and adjust seasonings with additional salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes as desired. Cook the Pasta to Perfection❶ While preparing the chicken and sauce, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.❷ Add 1 tablespoon salt to the boiling water—this should make the water taste like seawater.❸ Add pasta and cook according to package directions, typically 8-10 minutes, until al dente (tender but with slight resistance when bitten).❹ Before draining, carefully reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water.❺ Drain pasta without rinsing—the starchy exterior is essential for proper sauce adhesion. Combine Components and Finish with Flair❶ Decide whether to slice chicken into strips or keep whole based on presentation preference.❷ Add drained pasta directly to the sauce in the skillet, using tongs to gently toss until every strand is gloriously coated.❸ If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until you reach the desired consistency.❹ Return chicken to the skillet, either nestling pieces into the pasta or arranging on top.❺ Allow everything to warm together for 1-2 minutes over low heat.❻ Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh basil and additional Parmesan if desired.❼ Serve immediately to experience the Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe at its peak perfection.
Notes
Nutritional Information
The Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe makes approximately 4 servings with the following nutritional values per serving: