Description

This creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta combines tender chicken breasts with smoky turkey bacon and luscious plant-based cheese in a rich, tangy apple cider vinegar sauce. Enhanced by sun-dried tomatoes, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), and fresh basil, this flavorful and comforting dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or leisurely weekend meal. The recipe is versatile, plant-based cheese friendly, and easy to customize with your favorite herbs or veggies for a deliciously indulgent twist.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

2 chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
4 slices smoked turkey bacon

Aromatics

3 garlic cloves, minced
2 shallots, finely chopped

Sauce

1/2 cup heavy cream (plant-based)
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (natural)
1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1/4 teaspoon natural gelling agent
1/2 cup plant-based cheese, freshly grated

Others

8 oz pasta of choice (e.g., penne, fettuccine, rigatoni, or gluten-free alternative)
Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat in a pan until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside to rest. Once rested, slice into bite-size pieces.
Cook the Smoked Turkey Bacon: In the same pan, add the smoked turkey bacon slices and cook until crisp. Leave the rendered fat in the pan as it will add flavor to the sauce.
Sauté Aromatics: Add minced garlic and chopped shallots to the pan with the turkey bacon fat. Sauté over medium heat until fragrant and softened, stirring frequently to avoid browning or bitterness.
Create the Sauce: Pour in the apple cider vinegar (natural) and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural). Let the mixture simmer briefly to reduce slightly. Stir in the plant-based heavy cream, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, natural gelling agent, and freshly grated plant-based cheese. Whisk continuously until the sauce thickens and turns luscious.
Combine Pasta and Chicken: Toss cooked pasta and sliced chicken into the sauce using tongs or a large spoon. Stir well to ensure every strand of pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce.
Finish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh basil leaves over the pasta and give a gentle final stir. Serve immediately in warmed bowls to maintain creaminess.

Notes

Cook chicken evenly by pounding breasts to uniform thickness to keep them juicy.
Let the sauce simmer gently to develop a rich flavor and silky texture.
Use freshly grated plant-based cheese for better melting and smoothness in the sauce.
Reserve a splash of pasta cooking water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick when combining.
Serve the dish immediately for the best creamy texture and fresh flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 520
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 720mg
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 15g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 65mg

Keywords: marry me chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, plant-based cheese pasta, turkey bacon pasta, apple cider vinegar sauce, quick comfort food