Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

If you re looking for a dinner that feels like a warm hug, you ve got to try this Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe. I love this dish because it s creamy, comforting, and packed with flavor that somehow manages to impress even on the busiest weeknights. Whenever I make it, my family goes crazy for that tangy sun-dried tomato twist paired with savory parmesan goodness.

This Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe is perfect for date nights at home or anytime you want a dish that tastes fancy without the fuss. It s one of those meals where you ll find yourself savoring every creamy bite and maybe even stealing seconds. Plus, prepping it is straightforward, so it s a winner when you want a meal that feels special but doesn t take forever.

this …

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe comes from combining classic Italian flavors with just a little twist. You ll want good-quality parmesan and sun-dried tomatoes to elevate the dish, so don t skimp here! Also, the pasta type matters – penne holds onto the creamy sauce like a dream.

• Boneless skinless chicken: Choose fresh chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces for quick cooking.
• Penne pasta: I love penne for this because its tube shape traps the sauce nicely.
• Salt and pepper: Simple seasonings that bring out the natural flavors in the chicken.
• Olive oil: Use good quality extra virgin if you can-it adds a subtle fruity note.
• Butter: Adds richness to the sauce; I usually use unsalted so I can control saltiness.
• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic really makes the sauce aromatic – no jarred stuff here!
• Flour: This thickens the sauce to the perfect creamy consistency.
• Chicken broth: Use low sodium so you can balance salt levels better.
• Heavy cream: Provides that luscious, indulgent base for the sauce.
• Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated is a game changer for flavor and texture.
• Sun-dried tomatoes: I prefer the kind packed in oil because they re more tender and flavorful.
• Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky warmth-feel free to adjust amount for your taste.
• Dried Italian seasoning: A blend that brightens and pulls all the flavors together beautifully.
• Fresh basil: For garnish, adding a fresh herbal aroma and color pop.

Variations

One of the things I love about the Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe is how adaptable it is. I ve played around with it depending on what s in season or what my family s craving, so feel free to make it your own!

• Use chicken thighs instead of breasts: I tried thighs once for extra juiciness and they made the dish even more flavorful and tender.
• Swap penne for fettuccine or rigatoni: Different pasta shapes change the texture and sauce cling, so experiment to see your favorite.
• Make it lighter: Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream to cut calories, although the sauce won t be quite as rich.
• Add veggies: Toss in spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers for a veggie boost without changing much else.
• Spice it up: A pinch of red pepper flakes gives the sauce a lovely kick if you like heat.

How to Make Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Pasta and Chicken

Start by cooking the penne pasta according to the package directions until it s al dente-this usually takes about 10 minutes. Drain it well and set aside while you cook the chicken. For the chicken, I like to cut it into bite-sized pieces and season simply with salt and pepper. Then, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for 6 to 8 minutes until it s beautifully golden and no longer pink inside. It s important not to overcrowd the pan here; you want the chicken to sear, not steam, so cook in batches if needed.

Step 2: Make the Creamy Sauce

Using the same skillet (don t clean it!), melt butter over medium heat. Toss in the minced garlic and sauté just until fragrant-around 30 seconds-because burnt garlic can taste bitter. Then sprinkle in the flour and stir constantly to form a smooth paste; this step takes about 1 to 2 minutes and is key for thickening your sauce. Slowly whisk in chicken broth, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese, stirring well to combine. When you add the cheese, the sauce instantly starts to thicken and become velvety. Finally, stir in your sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, and dried Italian seasoning, and taste for salt and pepper before letting the sauce gently simmer for a few minutes.

Step 3: Combine and Serve

Return the cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet with the sauce, folding everything together so it s beautifully coated in creamy goodness. This is the moment you ll fall in love with this Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe-the colors, the aroma, everything coming together. Just warm through for a couple of minutes, then turn off the heat. Before serving, sprinkle chopped fresh basil and a little extra parmesan on top for a gorgeous finish.

How to Serve Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

Garnishes

I always finish this dish with fresh chopped basil because it adds a pop of bright color and a subtle herbal freshness against the richness. A little extra parmesan on top never hurts, either-grated just before serving to add a little salty punch and visual appeal.

Side Dishes

Whenever we make this Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe, I like to pair it with a crisp green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the creaminess. Garlic bread or warm crusty rolls are also wonderful for mopping up all that delicious sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For a date night, I ve plated this pasta in shallow bowls and topped with a small basil sprig and a drizzle of good olive oil-simple but elegant. I once even served it in individual ramekins and baked them lightly to get a golden crust on top, which was a fun twist that impressed guests!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to store leftovers in airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens as it chills, so you might want to add a splash of broth or cream when reheating to loosen it back up.

Freezing

While I haven t frozen this pasta often because it s usually eaten quickly, it does freeze well. I recommend freezing the chicken and sauce separately from the pasta if you want to maintain the best texture. When thawing, gently warm the sauce before tossing with freshly cooked pasta.

Reheating

To reheat, I warm leftovers gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring often and adding a little chicken broth or cream to refresh the sauce’s creamy texture. Avoid microwave reheating if you want to keep it silky-you ll get better results on the stove.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen rotation-it’s comfort food elevated with sophisticated flavors that still feels wildly approachable. Whenever I serve it, I m reminded that great meals don t need to be complicated to be memorable. You should definitely try it out; I promise it might just become your new go-to dish that s worth the marriage proposal hype!

Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 56 reviews

• Author: Wesley
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

---

Description

Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken pieces cooked with a rich parmesan and sun-dried tomato sauce, served with perfectly cooked penne pasta and garnished with fresh basil. This comforting meal combines sautéed chicken and a luscious sauce made from butter, garlic, cream, and seasonings, ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

---

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken Pasta

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 10 ounces penne pasta
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Sauce

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
• Fresh basil for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta: Prepare the penne pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside while preparing the chicken and sauce.
2. Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces and season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes until no longer pink and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
3. Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in flour to create a paste.
4. Combine liquids and seasonings: Whisk in chicken broth, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese until smooth. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
5. Simmer the sauce: Allow the sauce to simmer for several minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens.
6. Finish the dish: Return cooked chicken to the skillet, then add the cooked pasta. Stir until everything is evenly coated with the sauce.
7. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil and additional parmesan cheese on top before serving.

---

Notes

• Use day-old sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for a richer flavor.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, though the sauce will be less thick.
• Ensure chicken pieces are uniform size to cook evenly.
• Consider adding crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove.

---

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/6 of recipe)
• Calories: 646 kcal
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 962 mg
• Fat: 31 g
• Saturated Fat: 17 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 51 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 41 g
• Cholesterol: 145 mg