Description
Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a luscious one-pan meal featuring tender seared chicken breasts served over fettuccine pasta in a rich garlic-Italian spiced cream sauce with fresh spinach and Parmesan cheese. This comforting dish combines savory flavors and creamy textures, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner prepared in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
Pasta and Sauce
- 8 oz fettuccine pasta
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Finely chop the fresh garlic cloves to have them ready for sautéing.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then sear each side for about 6-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Seasoning: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Sauté for approximately 1 minute until fragrant.
- Make Sauce Base: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping any browned bits from the pan to incorporate flavor. Stir in the heavy cream and let the sauce simmer until it thickens slightly.
- Add Pasta and Spinach: Add the cooked fettuccine pasta and fresh spinach to the sauce. Stir continuously until the spinach wilts, about 2-3 minutes.
- Finish with Cheese: Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and combined, enriching the sauce’s creaminess. Serve the sauce topped with the seared chicken breasts.
Notes
- Cook the fettuccine pasta separately according to package instructions before adding to the sauce.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or use a lower-fat cream alternative.
- Adding crushed red pepper flakes can introduce a nice spicy kick.
- If fresh spinach is unavailable, baby spinach or frozen spinach (thawed and drained) can be used.
- Ensure not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
