Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish combining tender chicken breasts, smoky turkey bacon, and luscious plant-based cheese with a rich, velvety sauce made from plant-based heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a comforting, family-friendly meal perfect for weeknights or special evenings, easily customizable with veggies and spices to suit your taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 2 chicken breasts
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon
Dairy and Alternatives
- 1 cup plant-based heavy cream
- 1/2 cup plant-based cheese, shredded
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup natural sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
Pasta
- 8 oz penne, fettuccine, or preferred pasta (can use gluten-free or vegetable-infused)
Other Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 teaspoon natural gelling agent
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil, for cooking
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat a splash of olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat and cook the chicken until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove from pan and slice into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook the Turkey Bacon: In the same pan, crisp the smoked turkey bacon until browned and aromatic. Remove and chop into smaller pieces.
- Sauté Aromatics: Use the rendered turkey bacon fat to sauté minced garlic and finely chopped onion until fragrant and soft, creating a flavorful flavor base.
- Build the Creamy Sauce: Add plant-based heavy cream, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and natural gelling agent to the pan. Stir continuously and let the sauce gently thicken, blending smoky and tangy flavors.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving some pasta water.
- Combine Everything: Return sliced chicken and chopped turkey bacon to the sauce. Add cooked pasta and gently toss to coat evenly. Adjust seasoning if needed and cook for an additional minute to meld flavors.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente to maintain texture when mixed with sauce.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if it becomes too thick.
- Sauté aromatics and turkey bacon first to build depth of flavor.
- Allow the sauce to thicken gently for a silky texture.
- Add fresh basil or parsley just before serving for brightness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Pasta, creamy chicken pasta, plant-based cheese pasta, smoky turkey bacon pasta, quick dinner recipe, family-friendly pasta
