Marry Me Chicken Pasta features juicy chicken in a rich garlic parmesan cream sauce with bursts of sweet sun-dried tomatoes. The dish lives up to its name.

It’s been popping up on my feed for a while now, so I was curious to see if it was worth the hype.

Do I think the name is a little dramatic? I do.

Did the dish steal my heart? It did.

You get richness from the cream and parmesan, balanced by garlic and spices. The chewy bites of sun-dried tomatoes add little pops of sweetness. Fresh basil brings brightness, while the chicken makes the dish hearty and satisfying.

Toss it all with pasta, and you have a well-rounded meal you’ll crave again and again.

What Is Marry Me Chicken Pasta?

Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy pasta dish with a rich garlic parmesan sauce and sun-dried tomatoes.

It’s inspired by the popular “Marry Me Chicken,” a skillet chicken dish famous for its rich cream sauce and bold seasoning.

Why You’ll Love This Marry Me Chicken Pasta

This creamy chicken pasta is easy, satisfying, and packed with flavor, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

• Rich and creamy sauce. The combination of butter, cream, and parmesan creates a silky sauce that clings beautifully to the pasta.
• Ready in about 30 minutes. The entire dish comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy evenings.
• Made with simple ingredients. Everything in this recipe is easy to find at most grocery stores.
• Perfect for leftovers. The flavors deepen as it sits, making it even better the next day.

Key Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Penne pasta. Or any pasta you like.
• Chicken thighs. The classic recipe uses chicken breast, but I prefer thighs because they stay juicier and more flavorful. Use whichever you like.
• Garlic. I like using plenty of fresh garlic here because it really builds the flavor of the sauce.
• Sun-dried tomatoes. Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for the best flavor and texture – they’re softer and easier to chop.
• Heavy cream. Heavy cream creates a rich and silky sauce that thickens beautifully as it simmers.
• Parmesan cheese. Parmesan adds a nutty, savory flavor and also helps thicken the sauce.
• Fresh basil. This is a must for the recipe. The freshness balances the richness of the creamy sauce and brightens the whole dish.
• Spices. This recipe uses chili flakes, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning to add warmth, depth, and a subtle kick.

How to Make Marry Me Chicken Pasta

This creamy pasta comes together in just a few simple steps using one skillet and a pot of pasta.

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. Season and cook the chicken. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook in an oiled skillet over medium high heat until browned on all sides, about 5 to 7 minutes.

3. Saute the garlic in melted butter.

4. Add the tomatoes and spices. Stir in the sun dried tomatoes, chili flakes, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning. Cook for about 1 minute.

5. Make the roux. Add the flour and stir continuously for about 1 minute to cook off the raw flour taste.

6. Add the liquids. Slowly stir in the chicken broth, then add the heavy cream. Let the sauce simmer on low heat until slightly thickened, about 3 to 4 minutes.

7. Finish the sauce. Stir in the parmesan cheese until melted, then add the cooked chicken and basil. Simmer for another 2 minutes.

8. Add the pasta. Add the cooked penne and toss to coat. Serve and enjoy!

Tips and Variations

Here are some helpful tips along with a few easy ways to switch up the recipe.

• Salt your pasta water well. Pasta water should taste lightly salty so the pasta itself is seasoned from the inside.
• Brown the chicken properly. Let the chicken sit in the pan without stirring too much so it develops a golden crust and deeper flavor.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan. Give the chicken space in the skillet so it browns instead of steaming.
• Cook the flour for about a minute. This removes the raw flour taste and helps the sauce thicken smoothly.

• Use chicken breast. It’s actually the classic option for this recipe. Use it if you prefer a leaner cut.
• Add spinach. Stir in a handful of fresh spinach near the end for extra color and nutrients.
• Make it extra cheesy. Add more parmesan or try other cheeses like mozzarella or pecorino for an even richer sauce.
• Try different pasta shapes. Rigatoni, rotini, or farfalle all work well with creamy sauces.
• Add mushrooms. Sauté sliced mushrooms with the garlic for an earthy flavor.

What to Serve with Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Pair this creamy pasta with lighter sides to balance its richness.

• Simple green salad. A fresh salad adds brightness and contrast to the rich pasta.
• Roasted vegetables. Roasted broccoli, asparagus, or zucchini work well alongside this dish.
• Garlic bread. Perfect for soaking up the extra creamy sauce.

How to Store and Reheat

To Store: Transfer leftover Marry Me Chicken Pasta in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. 

To Reheat: Warm pasta on the stove over low heat or in the microwave. Add a splash of cream or chicken broth if the sauce has thickened too much.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use Chicken Thighs Instead of Chicken Breast?

Yes, I actually use chicken thighs for this recipe. They’re juicier and more flavorful than chicken breast.

Can I Make Marry Me Chicken Pasta Without Cream?

You can substitute half-and-half or evaporated milk But since they’re thinner than cream, add a little more flour to the roux so the sauce thickens properly.

Can I Use a Different Pasta Shape?

Yes, you can use any pasta shape you like. Short shapes like rigatoni, rotini, or farfalle hold the sauce well, but long noodles like spaghetti work just as nicely.

More Pasta Recipes You’ll Love

Carbonara Tteokbokki

Gochujang Pasta

Filipino Spaghetti

Creamy Chicken Piccata

Creamy Miso Butter Pasta

Marry Me Chicken Pasta (Creamy One-Pan Dinner)

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Prep 10 minutes mins

Cook 20 minutes mins

Marry Me Chicken Pasta features juicy chicken in a rich garlic parmesan cream sauce with bursts of sweet sun-dried tomatoes. The dish lives up to its name.

Servings 6 servings

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Ingredients

1x2x3x

• ▢ 12 ounces penne pasta
• ▢ 4 boneless chicken thighs cut into cubes
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt
• ▢ ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ 2 tablespoons oil
• ▢ 3 tablespoons butter
• ▢ 8 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 1 8-ounce jar sun-dried tomatoes, roughly chopped
• ▢ 1 teaspoon chili flakes
• ▢ 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ▢ 2 tablespoons flour
• ▢ 1 cup chicken broth
• ▢ 1 cup heavy cream
• ▢ ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
• ▢ Fresh basil

Instructions

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1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
   
2. Pat chicken thighs dry and season with salt and pepper.
3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside. Discard oil from the skillet.
   
4. Melt butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
   
5. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, chili flakes, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning. Cook for about 1 minute.
   
6. Add the flour and stir continuously for about 1 minute.
   
7. Slowly stir in the chicken broth. Add the heavy cream and let the sauce simmer on low heat until slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
   
8. Stir in the parmesan cheese until melted. Add the cooked chicken and basil. Let sauce simmer for about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
   
9. Add the cooked penne and toss to coat. Serve and enjoy!
   

Nutrition

Serving1 servingCalories595 kcalCarbohydrates42 gProtein27 gFat35 gSaturated Fat16 gPolyunsaturated Fat3 gMonounsaturated Fat12 gCholesterol140 mgSodium620 mgPotassium420 mgFiber3 gSugar4 gVitamin A1100 IUVitamin C6 mgCalcium170 mgIron2.4 mg

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