Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful, and quick-to-make dish featuring tender chicken, smoky turkey bacon, and rich plant-based cheese in a luscious sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests, this meal combines comfort and elegance with versatile, wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips or bite-sized pieces
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, chopped
- 1/2 cup plant-based cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup heavy cream substitute
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup plant-based Parmesan-style cheese, grated
- 8 oz pasta of choice (fusilli, penne, or linguine)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts into thin strips or bite-sized pieces. Season lightly with salt and freshly ground black pepper. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Cook the Turkey Bacon: In the same skillet, add the chopped smoked turkey bacon and cook until crispy. The rendered fat will add excellent flavor to the sauce base. Remove the bacon and set aside with the cooked chicken.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté just until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream substitute, chicken broth, and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural). Stir in the finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Allow it to thicken and deepen in flavor.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked chicken and turkey bacon to the skillet. Stir them into the sauce. Gradually sprinkle in the plant-based Parmesan-style cheese while stirring continuously until it melts smoothly into the sauce. Let everything combine for a couple of minutes until perfectly creamy.
- Toss with Pasta: Cook the preferred pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and add the pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss thoroughly to coat every piece evenly. Finish by stirring in freshly chopped basil to add a fragrant, fresh touch.
Notes
- Use room temperature chicken for even cooking and juicy texture.
- Cook garlic just until fragrant to avoid bitterness.
- Bring plant-based cheese to room temperature to ensure smooth melting.
- Simmer the sauce gently on low heat to prevent curdling and to develop rich flavors.
- Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if it thickens too much during mixing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: chicken pasta, creamy pasta, plant-based cheese, turkey bacon, quick dinner, gluten free pasta, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
