Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a rich, creamy, and flavor-packed dish that combines tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and pasta in a dreamy parmesan cream sauce. Inspired by the viral “Marry Me Chicken” recipe, I bring it all together with pasta for a comforting one-pan meal that’s bold, indulgent, and totally irresistible.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how this dish feels restaurant-worthy but is actually easy to make at home. The sauce is creamy with just the right amount of tang from the sun-dried tomatoes and a savory kick from garlic and herbs. It’s a perfect mix of elegance and comfort food — and yes, it’s so good it might just win someone’s heart. I usually serve it on busy weeknights or cozy weekends when I want something special without a ton of effort.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
salt and pepper
paprika
olive oil
butter
garlic (minced)
chicken broth
heavy cream
sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
grated Parmesan cheese
Italian seasoning
red pepper flakes (optional)
pasta (fettuccine, penne, or your favorite)
fresh basil (for garnish)
Directions
-
I season the chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika.
-
In a large skillet, I heat olive oil and sear the chicken on both sides until golden and cooked through, then I remove it and set it aside.
-
In the same pan, I melt the butter and sauté the garlic until fragrant.
-
I pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. I let it simmer until the sauce thickens slightly.
-
While the sauce simmers, I cook the pasta according to package directions, then drain and set it aside.
-
I slice the cooked chicken and add it back into the sauce.
-
I add the pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until well coated in the sauce.
-
I finish with fresh basil and more Parmesan before serving.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 4 people. It takes about 10 minutes to prep and 25 minutes to cook, so I usually have it ready in about 35 minutes.
Variations
-
I sometimes swap the chicken for shrimp or keep it vegetarian by adding mushrooms or spinach instead.
-
For a lighter version, I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
-
I switch out the pasta with gluten-free or whole wheat noodles depending on what I have.
-
I add a splash of white wine with the broth for an extra layer of flavor.
Storage/Reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I warm it gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of cream or broth to loosen the sauce. It also reheats well in the microwave, though I prefer the stovetop for the best texture.
FAQs
Can I use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken?
Yes, I can slice or shred pre-cooked chicken and stir it into the sauce right before adding the pasta to save time.
Is this dish spicy?
It’s not too spicy, but the red pepper flakes give it a little heat. I adjust the amount or leave them out completely if I want it mild.
Can I make it ahead of time?
I can cook the chicken and sauce ahead, then reheat it and toss with fresh pasta just before serving to keep the texture perfect.
What kind of sun-dried tomatoes should I use?
I prefer the ones packed in oil because they’re softer and more flavorful. I just drain them lightly before chopping.
What pasta works best with this sauce?
I like short pasta like penne or rigatoni that catches the sauce, but long noodles like fettuccine or linguine also work beautifully.
Conclusion
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a dish that brings together bold flavor, creamy comfort, and easy prep — everything I love in a weeknight dinner. It’s rich, satisfying, and fancy enough to impress, but simple enough to become a regular favorite in my kitchen. Every bite is full of creamy, cheesy, garlicky goodness — and it always disappears fast.
PrintMarry Me Chicken Pasta
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish made with tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cream sauce. This one-pan meal is elegant, comforting, and easy enough for weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil), chopped
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 8 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or preferred type)
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken on both sides until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.
- Add chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer until sauce thickens slightly.
- Cook pasta according to package directions, then drain.
- Slice cooked chicken and return it to the skillet with the sauce.
- Add pasta and toss to coat everything evenly in the sauce.
- Garnish with fresh basil and more Parmesan before serving.
Notes
- Use shrimp or mushrooms instead of chicken for variations.
- Half-and-half can be used instead of heavy cream for a lighter version.
- Sun-dried tomatoes in oil are preferred for best flavor and texture.
- Add a splash of white wine with broth for extra depth.
- Reheat with a splash of cream or broth to maintain sauce consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
