Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Listen, I gotta tell you about my marry me chicken pasta recipe. Made it last weekend for my boyfriend’s birthday and he couldn’t stop raving about it! This dish combines tender chicken with the perfect combo of sun-dried tomatoes, herbs, and a creamy sauce that’ll make anyone ask for seconds. Trust me, this marry me chicken pasta isn’t just another recipe – it’s the kinda meal that brings people together.
Why This Marry Me Chicken Pasta Works
Ever been stuck figuring out dinner? Been there! That’s why this marry me chicken pasta recipe is now my go-to. I first tried making it when my sister came over with her picky kids, and guess what? Clean plates all around!
What’s great about this dish is how adaptable it is. No heavy cream? Use half-and-half. Out of fresh basil? Dried works fine. The chicken gets super juicy, and the sauce has this perfect balance between creamy and tangy from those sun-dried tomatoes. Plus, everything happens in one pan (except boiling the pasta), which means less dishes to wash afterward!
My mom actually texted me for the recipe after I posted a pic online. She’s usually super critical of my cooking, so that’s saying something!
What You’ll Need for Marry Me Chicken Pasta
For the Chicken Part:
- Chicken – I use breasts but thighs work amazing too (sometimes even better tbh)
- Salt + pepper – just regular stuff from your pantry
- Garlic powder – gives flavor without having to chop anything
- Italian herbs – the mixed kind from the spice aisle works perfect
- Olive oil – whatever type you’ve got is fine
- Flour – just for thickening the sauce
For That Amazing Sauce:
- Butter – helps create the base of our sauce
- Fresh garlic – minced fine (the jarred stuff works in a pinch)
- Chicken broth – adds depth and thins the sauce
- Heavy cream – this is what makes it rich and dreamy
- Parmesan – fresh-grated melts way better than the container stuff
- Sun-dried tomatoes – these little guys are the secret weapon!
- Chili flakes – just a pinch for warmth, not spiciness
- Basil – fresh is awesome but not totally necessary
For the Pasta Part:
- Pasta – I like penne but honestly any shape works great
- Pasta water – don’t forget to save some before draining!
Got food restrictions? No worries! Use gluten-free pasta and dairy-free alternatives for the cream and cheese. Still tastes amazing.
How To Make This Marry Me Chicken Pasta
- Get Your Chicken Ready Season those chicken pieces really good with salt, pepper, and half the italian seasonings. Heat up some olive oil in a big pan and cook the chicken till it’s nice and golden – about 5-6 mins each side. Take it out and put it on a plate.
- Cook Your Pasta While the chicken’s cooking, get your pasta water boiling with plenty of salt. Cook according to the box but take it out 1 minute early (trust me on this). IMPORTANT: scoop out about a cup of that starchy pasta water before draining!
- Start The Magical Sauce Using the same pan where you cooked the chicken (don’t clean it – those bits add flavor!), melt some butter. Toss in the minced garlic and cook for like 30 seconds till you can smell it. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk it around for a minute.
- Make It Creamy Slowly pour in your broth while whisking so you don’t get lumps. Then add the heavy cream and let it gently bubble for a few minutes till it starts thickening up. You’ll know it’s right when it coats the back of a spoon.
- Add The Good Stuff Turn down the heat a bit and stir in your parmesan bit by bit. Then add those chopped sun-dried tomatoes, the rest of your italian herbs, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Give it a taste – need more salt? Add it now.
- Bring It All Together Slice up your chicken, throw it back in the pan along with your drained pasta. Toss everything so the pasta gets all coated in that amazing sauce. If it seems too thick, splash in some of that reserved pasta water. Finish with torn basil leaves and maybe extra parm.
When it’s done, the chicken should be tender and juicy, and every piece of pasta should be hugged by that creamy sauce. If your sauce breaks or looks weird at any point, just lower the heat and whisk like crazy.
5 Ways to Switch Up Your Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Want some variety? Here’s how I change it up sometimes:
Spicy Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Double the red pepper flakes and add a diced jalapeño when you cook the garlic. Gives it a nice kick that works so well with the cream. If you like spicy food, you might also enjoy our FAJITAS DE POLLO recipe!
Veggie-Loaded Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Throw in some spinach, sliced mushrooms, and red bell peppers. The veggies make it more colorful and you can pretend it’s healthier lol. For another great veggie option, check out our LEMONY SHRIMP AND BEAN STEW.
Crockpot Marry Me Chicken Pasta
On busy days, I throw the chicken, broth, tomatoes and seasonings in the slow cooker for 4 hours on low. Then I shred the chicken, stir in the cream and cheese, and mix with freshly cooked pasta. Super easy!
Marry Me Chicken Pasta Bake
After mixing everything, pour it into a baking dish, top with extra cheese and some breadcrumbs mixed with butter. Bake at 375°F for 15-20 mins till golden and bubbly. Similar to our popular RONZONI BAKED ZITI RECIPE but with chicken!
Pesto Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Add 3 tablespoons of basil pesto to the sauce for an herby twist. The pesto and sun-dried tomatoes together are seriously amazing. If you like creamy + herby combos, our CREAMY SHRIMP SCAMPI is another winner.
Pro Tips for Perfect Marry Me Chicken Pasta
- Season your pasta water like the sea! Seriously, don’t be shy with salt
- Don’t rinse your pasta after draining – that starch helps the sauce stick
- Pat the chicken dry before seasoning for better browning
- Cut the sun-dried tomatoes into smaller pieces if they’re whole
- Let everything sit for 5 mins after cooking – helps the flavors meld together
If you’re a chicken fan, you’ll also love our FORGOTTEN CHICKEN RECIPE – it’s another super easy dinner that everyone raves about!
From My Kitchen to Yours
Gotta say, this marry me chicken pasta has saved me so many times when I needed to impress. There’s something about that combo of creamy sauce, tender chicken, and those little bites of sun-dried tomato that just hits different.
My favorite memory was making this for my best friend who was going through a tough breakup. She was so down, but after one bite of this pasta, she actually smiled for the first time in days. That’s the power of good food – it brings comfort when you need it most.
Whether you’re cooking for someone special or just treating yourself after a long day, this marry me chicken pasta delivers every time. Make it your own and enjoy every bite!
Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Equipment
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Pot for boiling pasta
- Tongs
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Whisk
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
- 2 chicken breasts or thighs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning divided
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- For the Sauce:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- ¼ tsp red chili flakes
- Fresh basil for garnish
- For the Pasta:
- 10 oz penne pasta or any pasta of choice
- Reserved pasta water about 1 cup
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Pat the chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and half the Italian seasoning.
- Sear Chicken: In a large pan over medium heat, heat olive oil and sear chicken for 5–6 minutes on each side until golden. Remove and set aside.
- Cook Pasta: Boil pasta in salted water according to package instructions, minus 1 minute. Save 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
- Start Sauce: In the same pan, melt butter. Sauté garlic for 30 seconds. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute.
- Make It Creamy: Slowly whisk in chicken broth, then heavy cream. Simmer until thickened (about 3–4 minutes).
- Add Flavors: Stir in parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, remaining Italian seasoning, and chili flakes. Season to taste.
- Combine: Slice chicken, return to pan with pasta. Toss well to coat. Use reserved pasta water to adjust consistency.
Notes
Nutrition
Common Questions About Marry Me Chicken Pasta
What pasta goes with marry me chicken?
I honestly think penne works best with marry me chicken pasta cuz those little tubes catch all the sauce inside them. But really, any medium-sized pasta shape works great – rotini, farfalle, rigatoni, or even fettuccine if you’re feeling fancy. Just avoid tiny pastas like orzo or really thin ones like angel hair – they get lost in the hearty sauce. My second favorite is probably cavatappi cuz of how the spiral shape holds the sauce.
Why is it called “marry me chicken pasta”?
So the story goes that this chicken dish got its name cuz it’s so darn good that after tasting it, someone would immediately propose! I’ve heard different versions – some say a restaurant chef created it and a customer proposed after eating it, others say it was a home cook who made it for their date and got a proposal that night. Whether that’s true or not, I can tell you my neighbor made it for her boyfriend of 6 years and he finally popped the question a week later! Coincidence? Maybe not! Adding pasta to the original marry me chicken recipe just makes it a more complete meal.
What is marry me chicken made of?
The magic of marry me chicken comes from the combo of chicken (usually breasts) in a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan, and italian herbs. It’s those sun-dried tomatoes that really make it special – they add this sweet-tangy flavor that balances the richness. The dish gets some depth from garlic and a little kick from red pepper flakes. When you make marry me chicken pasta, you’re basically taking all those amazing flavors and combining them with pasta for a complete meal that’ll impress anyone!
Can you use alfredo sauce for marry me chicken?
You can definitely use alfredo sauce as a shortcut for marry me chicken! Just grab a jar of your fave alfredo, then doctor it up with chopped sun-dried tomatoes, a pinch of red pepper flakes, and maybe some extra parmesan. It won’t be exactly the same as making it from scratch, but it’ll save you some time on busy nights. I’d suggest adding a splash of chicken broth to thin it out a bit, plus a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten it up. For another great meal with creamy sauce, try our SMOTHERED CHICKEN AND RICE recipe!
What is spaghetti sauce and Alfredo sauce mixed together called?
When you mix regular tomato spaghetti sauce with alfredo sauce, most people call it “pink sauce” or “rosé sauce” (fancy, right?). Some restaurants might call it “parma rosa.” It’s kinda similar to vodka sauce, though traditional vodka sauce is made differently. This combo gives you the creaminess from the alfredo with the tangy tomato flavor – best of both worlds! You could actually make a variation of marry me chicken pasta using this pink sauce instead of the sun-dried tomato cream sauce if you wanted to change things up.