Description
Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a luscious one-pan dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts simmered in a flavorful garlic Parmesan cream sauce with fresh spinach and perfectly cooked fettuccine. This hearty and comforting pasta dinner comes together in about 35 minutes, making it an ideal weeknight meal that impresses with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine pasta
Sauce
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Instructions
- Prep Garlic: Finely chop the fresh garlic cloves to ensure they release maximum flavor during cooking.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cook each side for about 6-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Seasoning: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Create Cream Sauce: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pan to incorporate full flavor. Stir in the heavy cream and let the mixture simmer until it thickens slightly.
- Add Pasta and Spinach: Add the cooked fettuccine pasta and fresh spinach leaves to the sauce. Stir continuously for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce.
- Finish with Parmesan: Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt fully into the sauce to create a smooth and rich texture. Return the seared chicken breasts to the pan to warm through before serving.
Notes
- Ensure not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
- Use fresh Parmesan cheese for best flavor and smooth melting.
- If preferred, substitute fettuccine with another pasta shape like penne or linguine.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half or milk instead of heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Spinach can be substituted with kale or arugula for a different green texture and flavor.
