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Easy Creamy Lazy Girl Marry Me Chicken Pasta

easy creamy lazy girl marry me chicken pasta - featured image
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A quick and creamy chicken pasta recipe perfect for busy weeknights, featuring a luscious sauce made with cream cheese and Parmesan.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter sauce)
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 8 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
  • Handful fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, scraping browned bits from the pan. Let simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Lower heat to medium-low. Add softened cream cheese in chunks, stirring until melted and smooth. Mix in Parmesan cheese until incorporated. If sauce is too thick, stir in reserved pasta water to desired consistency.
  6. Return chicken to skillet and toss to coat with sauce. Add drained pasta and gently combine. Warm through for 1-2 minutes.
  7. Stir in chopped fresh basil leaves. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  8. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan or basil if desired.

Notes

Use softened cream cheese to avoid a grainy sauce. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Cook chicken evenly over medium-high heat and avoid overcrowding the pan. Simmer sauce gently to prevent separation.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal, creamy sauce, lazy girl recipe

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/easy-creamy-lazy-girl-marry-me-chicken-pasta-recipe-for-busy-weeknights/