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Marry Me Pumpkin Chicken Pasta Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.3 from 37 reviews
  • Author: admin
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Nut-Free

Description

Marry Me Pumpkin Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful fall-inspired dish featuring tender chicken pieces simmered in a creamy pumpkin sauce with Parmesan, garlic, and aromatic herbs. Paired with perfectly cooked penne or rigatoni pasta, this recipe is an easy weeknight main course that combines seasonal pumpkin puree with savory spices for a delicious and hearty meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Sauce

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage (or ½ teaspoon dried)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Pasta and Garnish

  • ½ pound pasta (penne or rigatoni recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Add the chicken to the hot skillet and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  2. Make the sauce base: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and tomato paste to the same skillet. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant and the tomato paste slightly darkens, releasing its deep flavor.
  3. Add pumpkin and liquids: Stir in the pumpkin puree, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, cooking for 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken.
  4. Season and finish sauce: Add the grated Parmesan cheese, chopped sage, and Italian seasoning to the pumpkin sauce. Stir continuously until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
  5. Cook pasta: Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup of the pasta cooking water to adjust sauce consistency if necessary.
  6. Combine pasta, chicken, and sauce: Add the cooked pasta and the cooked chicken back to the skillet with the pumpkin sauce. Toss everything together gently to evenly coat the pasta and chicken with the creamy sauce. Use the reserved pasta water to thin the sauce if it feels too thick.
  7. Simmer and serve: Let the combined dish simmer for an additional 2 to 3 minutes to meld the flavors. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your comforting Marry Me Pumpkin Chicken Pasta!

Notes

  • You can substitute turkey for the chicken to vary the protein.
  • Use a plant-based cream alternative to make this recipe dairy-free.
  • Add sautéed spinach or mushrooms to increase the vegetable content and add flavor.

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Find it online: https://scratchymama.com/marry-me-pumpkin-chicken-pasta-recipe/