Marry Me Chicken Brown Butter (Print View)

Golden chicken and pasta in sun-dried tomato cream, finished with brown butter for an irresistible meal.

# Components:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
04 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Pasta

07 - 12 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
08 - Salt, for pasta water

→ Sauce

09 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
10 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced
12 - 1 cup heavy cream
13 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
14 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
15 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
16 - 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped

→ Brown Butter Finish

17 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
02 - While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
03 - Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for 5–6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet, let it rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
04 - In the same skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add the sliced sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Pour in the heavy cream, chicken broth, grated Parmesan cheese, and crushed red pepper flakes. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 3–4 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
06 - Return the sliced chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Add the cooked pasta and toss gently to coat everything evenly. If the sauce appears too thick, add the reserved pasta water, 1–2 tablespoons at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
07 - Stir in the chopped fresh basil. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
08 - In a small saucepan, melt the 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Swirl the pan occasionally. Continue to cook until the butter foams, turns a rich golden brown color, and develops a nutty aroma, which should take approximately 3–4 minutes. Remove from heat immediately to prevent burning.
09 - Drizzle the prepared brown butter over the plated chicken pasta. Garnish with extra fresh basil and a second sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in under an hour for an impressive dinner
  • Restaurant-quality meal made with everyday ingredients
  • Perfect balance of rich flavors and creamy texture
  • Versatile enough for date night or family dinners
02 -
  • This dish combines two viral food trends Marry Me Chicken and brown butter pasta
  • The brown butter adds a complex nutty flavor that elevates the entire dish
  • Perfect for special occasions when you want to impress without complicated techniques
  • Makes excellent leftovers as flavors continue to develop overnight
03 -
  • For the perfect brown butter, use a light-colored pan where you can easily monitor the color changes
  • Slice chicken against the grain for maximum tenderness in every bite
  • Reserve extra pasta water beyond what the recipe calls for in case you need to adjust sauce consistency while serving

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