Marry Me Creamy Chicken Pasta

Name: Marry Me Creamy Chicken Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs (~ 1 ½ lb.), cut into small bite-size cubes; 2 tsp. Italian seasoning; 2 tsp. kosher salt; 1/4 tsp. paprika; pinch of chili flakes and freshly ground black pepper; 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter; 1 shallot, finely minced; 4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed with a garlic press; 4 cups chicken broth + 1 cup water; 7-8 oz. jar sun dried tomatoes, julienned (reserve 2-3 Tbsp. oil from the jar and discard the rest of the oil or use for another time.); 1 lb. (16 oz.) mezzi rigatoni; 1 heaping cup parmesan cheese, finely shredded; 5 oz. fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped; 8 oz. full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature; 2 Tbsp. lemon juice, freshly squeezed; fresh basil, chili flakes and parmesan for serving (optional)

User Reviews

5.0

60 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings
8 servings
Calories
480 kcal
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
American

Marry Me Creamy Chicken Pasta

Ulric Williams

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My Marry Me Chicken Pasta is literally marriage material! It is made with a rich, creamy, flavor-packed sauce, tender pieces of perfectly seasoned chicken, al dente pasta, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh baby spinach. It is love at first bite and so easy to make right in the Instant Pot (or stove top!) Get ready to win the heart of anyone you make this for!

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Ingredients

Servings

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs (~ 1 ½ lb.), cut into small bite-size cubes
2 tsp. Italian seasoning
2 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. paprika
pinch of chili flakes and freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1 shallot, finely minced
4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed with a garlic press
4 cups chicken broth + 1 cup water
7-8 oz. jar sun dried tomatoes, julienned (reserve 2-3 Tbsp. oil from the jar and discard the rest of the oil or use for another time.)
1 lb. (16 oz.) mezzi rigatoni
1 heaping cup parmesan cheese, finely shredded
5 oz. fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
8 oz. full-fat cream cheese, softened to room temperature
2 Tbsp. lemon juice, freshly squeezed
fresh basil, chili flakes and parmesan for serving (optional)

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Instructions

*Note: one pot stovetop directions are in the recipe notes below.
Toss the chicken cubes with the seasonings in a mixing bowl and set aside.
Turn the Instant Pot to saute function (on high) and add the butter. Once melted, add the shallots and saute for ~2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and stir until fragrant, 30 seconds-1 minute.
Add the reserved oil from the sun dried tomatoes and then add in the seasoned chicken pieces.
Cook chicken for ~5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Chicken won’t cook fully, just so each side browns a bit. Cancel the saute function.
Pour in the broth and water and stir, scraping up anything that may have stuck to the bottom of the instant pot.
Add the sun dried tomatoes and gently stir.
Add the pasta on top, but do not stir. Press down the pasta so it’s mostly covered by the broth and water.
Place the lid on, making sure the valve is set to sealing, and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. Once the Instant Pot beeps, perform the quick release function and allow all steam to release, when the pin drops, carefully remove the lid.
Add the Parmesan cheese, cream cheese, spinach and lemon juice, stir until everything is fully combined.
Replace the lid for a few minutes so everything can thicken. It will look a little watery/soupy at first but once it sits for a bit, it will absorb and thicken.
Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Garnish with fresh basil, chili flakes and more cheese. Store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container.

Notes

*One Pot Stovetop Directions:
Toss the diced chicken pieces with the Italian seasoning, kosher salt, paprika, chili flakes and black pepper. Set aside.
In a large pot over medium high heat, melt the butter. Add the shallots and saute for ~2 minutes. Add the garlic and stir for ~30 seconds more, until fragrant.
Add the reserved sun dried tomato oil and chicken pieces and cook for ~5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is mostly cooked. It's OK if not cooked completely yet.
Pour in the chicken broth & water and bring to a boil.
Add the pasta and cook for ~15 minutes or until pasta is al dente. It's OK if pasta isn't completely submerged in the liquid, it will absorb and pasta will cook perfectly after ~15 minutes or so.
Once pasta is cooked, stir in the sun dried tomatoes, parmesan cheese, spinach, cream cheese and lemon juice. Stir until cheese is incorporated and everything is creamy.
Taste and adjust any seasonings. Garnish and serve.

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Serving 1chicken breast Calories 480kcal (24%) Carbohydrates 60g (20%) Protein 19g (38%) Fat 19g (29%) Saturated Fat 9g (45%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 6g Trans Fat 0.1g Cholesterol 67mg (22%) Sodium 1071mg (45%) Potassium 1223mg (35%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 13g (26%) Vitamin A 2474IU (49%) Vitamin C 15mg (17%) Calcium 115mg (12%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 480 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving	1chicken breast
Calories	480kcal	24%
Carbohydrates	60g	20%
Protein	19g	38%
Fat	19g	29%
Saturated Fat	9g	45%
Polyunsaturated Fat	2g	12%
Monounsaturated Fat	6g	30%
Trans Fat	0.1g	5%
Cholesterol	67mg	22%
Sodium	1071mg	45%
Potassium	1223mg	26%
Fiber	6g	24%
Sugar	13g	26%
Vitamin A	2474IU	49%
Vitamin C	15mg	17%
Calcium	115mg	12%
Iron	4mg	22%