Marry Me Chicken with Creamy Spinach Bowtie Pasta
Ingredients:
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika
2 tbsp butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed, drained and chopped
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 lb bowtie pasta
5 oz fresh spinach, roughly chopped
1/4 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
1/4 cup yellow bell pepper, finely diced
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
2. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
3. Add butter to the skillet and melt. Add minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
4. Pour in chicken broth and deglaze the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer.
5. Return chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
6. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and the sauce is bubbly and slightly thickened.
7. While the chicken is baking, cook bowtie pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
8. In the last 5 minutes of baking, add spinach, red bell pepper, and yellow bell pepper to the skillet around the chicken. This allows the spinach to wilt and the peppers to soften slightly.
9. Once the chicken is done, remove the skillet from the oven. Stir in the cooked bowtie pasta and fresh basil. Toss to coat the pasta evenly in the creamy sauce.
10. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and a pinch of red pepper flakes (if using). Serve immediately.
Cooking Time: 40 minutes | Servings: 4 | Calories: Approximately 750