Creamy Marry Me Pasta with Crisscross Chicken

Ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts (scored in a criss-cross pattern)
• 1 tsp oregano (for chicken)
• 1 tsp paprika (for chicken)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• salt & pepper (to taste)
• chili flakes (to taste, for chicken)
• 1 tbsp avocado oil (for marinating and searing)
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 0.25 cup dry white wine
• 0.33 cup bone broth
• 1.5 cup heavy cream
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp paprika (for sauce)
• 1 tsp oregano (for sauce)
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan (plus extra for serving)
• 0.75 cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped, high quality)
• chili flakes (optional, to taste for sauce)
• 8 oz pasta of choice (e.g., rigatoni or pappardelle)
• 4 cup mixed greens (for side salad)
• 1 cup tomatoes (chopped, for side salad)
• 1 cup cucumber (chopped, for side salad)
• 3 tbsp lemon garlic dressing (for side salad)

Steps

1. 1

   Boil the pasta in well-salted water until al dente according to package directions. Reserve a small amount of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

2. 2

   Score the chicken breasts in a criss-cross pattern, being careful not to cut all the way through the meat.

3. 3

   Rub the chicken with oregano, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, chili flakes, and a little avocado oil. Let the chicken marinate for 15–30 minutes.

4. 4

   Heat avocado oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 4–6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F / 74°C). Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

5. 5

   In the same pan used for the chicken, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

6. 6

   Pour in the dry white wine and let it simmer for 1 minute to deglaze the pan.

7. 7

   Stir in the bone broth, heavy cream, tomato paste, paprika, oregano, chili flakes, grated Parmesan, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes.

8. 8

   Simmer the sauce for 4–5 minutes until it has slightly thickened.

9. 9

   Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss thoroughly to coat. If the sauce is too thick, loosen it with a splash of the reserved pasta water.

10. 10

    Return the seared chicken to the pan, spooning some of the sauce over the breasts. Simmer for a few more minutes to heat everything through.

11. 11

    Prepare the side salad by tossing mixed greens, chopped tomatoes, and cucumber with lemon garlic dressing.

12. 12

    Finish the pasta with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan and serve immediately alongside the fresh salad.

Notes

If you prefer not to use wine, you can substitute it with extra broth and a squeeze of lemon juice for acidity.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• dinner
• pasta
• chicken
• creamy
• marry me chicken
• weeknight dinner