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marry me chicken pasta with spinach

Marry Me Chicken Pasta

By Emily Carter
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American Italian
Servings 4
Calories 620 kcal

Ingredients
  

Chicken:

  • 600 g / 1.3 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces
  • ½ tsp fine sea salt · ¼ tsp black pepper · ½ tsp garlic powder · ½ tsp smoked paprika · 1 tsp cornstarch

Sauce:

  • 2 tbsp sun-dried tomato jar oil · 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tbsp double-concentrated tomato paste
  • ⅓ cup 55g sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
  • ½ cup 120ml dry white wine
  • ½ cup 120ml low-sodium chicken stock
  • 1 cup 240ml heavy cream, minimum 36% fat
  • ½ cup 50g freshly grated Parmesan from a block
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes · ½ tsp Italian seasoning
  • ¼ cup fresh basil torn off heat only

Pasta:

  • 300 g / 10.5 oz rigatoni or penne rigate
  • ½ cup of reserved pasta water mandatory

Instructions
 

  • Toss chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cornstarch until evenly coated.
  • Heat tomato oil in large skillet over medium-high. Sear chicken in a single layer 3 to 4 min without moving, then toss and sear 2 more min until golden and 165°F / 74°C. Transfer to plate.
  • Same pan, add garlic, stir 60 sec. Add tomato paste, stir 90 sec until brick red. Add sun-dried tomatoes, stir 30 sec.
  • Add wine to scrape the pan bottom. Reduce 90 sec. Add stock, reduce for 2 min. Reduce to medium-low. Add cream, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning. Simmer gently 3 to 4 min.
  • Meanwhile, boil rigatoni in well-salted water until 1 min before al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
  • Remove sauce from heat. Add Parmesan in 3 stages, stirring fully between each.
  • Add 3 tbsp pasta water to sauce. Add drained pasta. Toss over low heat 60 sec. Add more pasta water tablespoon by tablespoon for correct consistency.
  • Return chicken. Toss gently. Taste for salt. Scatter basil off heat. Serve immediately in warmed bowls.

Notes

Rotisserie chicken shortcut: Skip Steps 1-2. Add shredded rotisserie chicken in Step 7. Total time 15 minutes.
Sauce too thin: Simmer 2 to 3 extra minutes before pasta. Confirm 36%+ cream used. Add Parmesan off heat in 3 stages.
Parmesan not melting: Pre-shredded Parmesan always grates fresh from a block.
One pot version: Not recommended, see “One Pot vs Two Pot” section.
Dairy-free: Full-fat canned coconut cream + nutritional yeast + white miso paste.