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Marry Me Chicken Pasta: The Ultimate Creamy Italian Romance with Sun-Dried Tomato Excellence

A viral sensation for a reason! This dish features succulent, seasoned chicken tossed with rigatoni in a rich, velvety sun-dried tomato and parmesan cream sauce. Hints of red pepper flakes and fresh spinach add the perfect balance to this "engagement-worthy" meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main-course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Protein: 2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
  • Pasta: 8 ounces Rigatoni Pasta approx. 2-3 cups
  • Produce: ½ cup Yellow Onion diced, 3 cups Fresh Spinach, ½ cup Sun-dried Tomatoes
  • Dairy/Fats: 2 tablespoons Butter 1 ½ cups Heavy Whipping Cream, ½ cup Parmesan Cheese
  • Pantry/Sauce: 1 tablespoon Tomato Paste 2 tablespoons Flour, 1 cup Chicken Broth, 1 teaspoon Olive Oil
  • Seasonings: ½ tsp Red Pepper Flakes ½ tsp Paprika, ½ tsp Italian Seasoning, ½ tsp Onion Powder, ½ tsp Garlic Powder, Salt and Black Pepper (to taste)

Method
 

  1. Boil: Cook rigatoni according to package directions; drain and set aside.
  2. Season Chicken: Massage olive oil over chicken. Season with paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  3. Sear: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook chicken for 5–7 minutes per side (internal temp 165°F). Remove and chop into bite-sized pieces.
  4. Sauté: Lower heat to low. Add butter, onions, and tomato paste to the same skillet. Stir and cook for 2–3 minutes.
  5. Roux: Sprinkle in flour, mix well, and cook for another 2–3 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
  6. Simmer: Whisk in chicken broth, heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer until thickened.
  7. Finish Sauce: Stir in parmesan and spinach until the cheese melts and spinach wilts.
  8. Combine: Toss the cooked pasta and chicken into the skillet. Mix thoroughly until coated. Serve warm.

Notes

  • Pasta Tip: Save a splash of pasta water before draining; if the sauce gets too thick while mixing, a tablespoon of water will help loosen it up.
  • Chicken Prep: For even faster cooking, you can slice the chicken into strips before searing.
  • Spice Level: Adjust the red pepper flakes to your preference; ½ tsp provides a mild, warming "kick."