Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a comforting one-pot meal featuring tender bite-sized chicken pieces cooked in a creamy, flavorful sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and parmesan, all blended with perfectly cooked pasta. This recipe is simple, quick to make, and packed with savory Mediterranean flavors, making it an ideal weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken & Vegetables
- 650 g Boneless & skinless chicken breast (about 4 breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 3 Garlic cloves (peeled and crushed)
- 170 g Sun-dried tomatoes (drained and very finely chopped)
- 120 g Spinach
Other Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Olive oil (or use some oil from the sun-dried tomatoes jar for extra flavor)
- 1 tsp Oregano
- 2 tsp Paprika
- 250 g Dried pasta
- 650 ml Chicken stock
- 150 ml Double cream (known as heavy cream in the US)
- 50 g Parmesan (grated)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: In a large, deep frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the bite-sized chicken pieces along with a good sprinkling of freshly ground black pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until all sides of the chicken begin to brown and color.
- Add Aromatics and Spices: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the crushed garlic, finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, and paprika. Continue to cook and stir for 3 to 5 minutes until the garlic softens and releases its fragrance.
- Cook Pasta with Stock: Add the dried pasta and chicken stock to the pan, stirring well to combine all ingredients. Cover with a lid and allow to cook for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Monitor closely and add a splash of boiling water if the pasta requires more cooking time or the liquid reduces too much.
- Finish with Cream and Spinach: Lower the heat to the minimum setting. Add the fresh spinach and double cream, stirring thoroughly for 1 to 3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the cream is heated through. Check that the chicken is fully cooked; season with additional salt and pepper if necessary.
- Add Cheese and Serve: Remove the pan from heat and stir in the grated parmesan cheese until evenly combined, creating a rich, creamy sauce. Serve hot and enjoy your one-pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta.
Notes
- Oil: Use olive oil, or substitute with some oil from the sun-dried tomatoes jar for added flavor complexity.
- Cooking Time: The cooking time for one-pot pastas can vary depending on the heat level and pasta shape. Keep an eye on the dish as it cooks; if additional cooking time is needed, add a splash or two of boiling water to prevent drying out.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: If you or your family dislike the texture of sun-dried tomatoes, chop them very finely to allow them to melt smoothly into the sauce while adding robust flavor.
- Double Cream: Known as heavy cream in the US, double cream adds richness and smoothness to the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
