Creamy, garlicky, and brimming with tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a rich Parmesan sauce, this Marry Me Chicken Pasta is an easy dinner that’s full of flavor. Tossed with your favorite pasta, and it’s the kind of dinner that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll understand why it’s called Marry Me Chicken!
This dish only takes about 30 minutes to prepare and is perfect for a romantic dinner or a cozy weeknight meal. It’s delicious and fitting for any time of the year.
You know we love easy dinners around here! If you do too, check out Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken and Rice, Sheet Pan Chicken and Potatoes, and Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas.
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Marry Me Chicken Pasta Ingredients
- Chicken
- Seasonings: salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika
- Garlic
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Heavy Cream
- Chicken Broth
- Parmesan Cheese
- Red Chili Flakes
- Pasta
See recipe card for quantities.
Easy Marry Me Chicken Pasta Instructions
- Step 1: Season chicken and sear on both sides until golden and cooked through (about 4-5 minutes per side). Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes.
- Step 3: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping up any browned bits for extra flavor. Stir in Parmesan and red chili flakes, simmering until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 4: Boil pasta according to package instructions. Slice the chicken and return it to the sauce. Add cooked pasta.
Substitutions
Feel free to mix and match substitutions to make this dish your own while keeping it irresistibly delicious!
Chicken:
- Substitute with chicken thighs for extra juiciness or ground chicken for a quicker cook.
- For a vegetarian option, use tofu, seitan, or cauliflower steaks.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes:
- Use fresh cherry tomatoes, roasted or sautéed, for a milder, sweeter option.
- Replace with roasted red peppers for a different flavor profile.
Pasta:
- Gluten-free? Use chickpea, lentil, or rice pasta.
- For a low-carb version, try zoodles (zucchini noodles) or spaghetti squash.
Variations
One-Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta
- Prepare the dish entirely in one pot by cooking the pasta directly in the sauce with chicken broth. This saves time and maximizes flavor.
Low-Carb Marry Me Chicken
- Swap pasta for spiralized zucchini (zoodles), spaghetti squash, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb, keto-friendly option.
Crock Pot (Slow Cooker) Marry Me Chicken Pasta
- Layer seasoned chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, heavy cream, chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese, cook on low for 4-6 hours, then shred the chicken and toss with cooked pasta before serving.
Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta
- Sauté the chicken with garlic and seasonings, add sun-dried tomatoes, cream, chicken broth, uncooked pasta, and Parmesan, pressure cook for 5 minutes, then stir everything together and serve.
Vegan Marry Me Pasta
- Use plant-based chicken substitutes or roasted cauliflower.
- Replace cream and cheese with coconut cream and nutritional yeast for a creamy vegan alternative.
Storage
Store in fridge in a sealed container for up to 3-5 days.
We do not recommend freezing dishes with cream as the texture can change during the thawing process.
Top tip
Before cooking, use a mallet or bottom of a frying pan to pound out the chicken breasts until they are thinner, but still intact. This process tenderizers the chicken and makes it easier to cook through.
FAQ
The dish got its name because it’s so delicious that it’s said to inspire proposals or make someone fall in love! The creamy sauce, tender chicken, and comforting flavors have an irresistible charm.
Popular choices include:
Fettuccine or linguine for a creamy coating.
Penne or rigatoni for their sauce-catching ridges.
For gluten-free options, use chickpea, lentil, or rice-based pasta.
Yes! Prepare the sauce and chicken in advance, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently and combine with freshly cooked pasta for the best texture.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Marry Me Chicken Pasta:
Marry Me Chicken Pasta
- This creamy, garlicky Marry Me Chicken Pasta, with tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a rich Parmesan sauce, is so flavorful and satisfying it’ll have everyone reaching for seconds.
Ingredients
- 2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts*
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoon olive oil (or butter)
- 3-4 cloves, minced
- ⅔ cup, sun dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
- 12 oz penne pasta
- Garnish: Fresh basil or parsley and extra Parmesan
Instructions
- Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken on both sides until golden and cooked through (about 4-5 minutes per side). Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes.
- Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping up any browned bits for extra flavor.
- Stir in Parmesan and red chili flakes, simmering until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Boil pasta according to package instructions. Drain and reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
- Slice the chicken and return it to the sauce. Add cooked pasta, tossing to coat.
- If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and extra Parmesan.
Notes
*pound raw chicken breasts with mallet or bottom of frying pan so they're thinner and easier to cook through
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 637Total Fat: 37gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 156mgSodium: 754mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 4gSugar: 6gProtein: 40g
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