Easy Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

Ever heard of a dish called Marry Me Chicken Pasta and wondered if it could actually make someone propose? Well, I can’t promise engagement rings, but I can promise that this pasta version will make anyone fall in love… with your cooking. Creamy, garlicky, cheesy, with just enough spice to make things interesting—this recipe is basically romance on a plate. Warning: May cause swooning, second helpings, and spontaneous declarations of “You should totally make this again!”

Why This Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe Is Awesome

Let’s get real. This Marry Me Chicken Pasta dish is like the overachieving crush of comfort food. It’s creamy, rich, flavorful, and impressive without being intimidating. You don’t need a culinary degree or a tiny farm of herbs in your kitchen—just chicken, pasta, cream, and some pantry staples.

Marry Me Chicken Pasta is also highly forgiving. Overcook the chicken slightly? No biggie. Forgot one spice? Still tastes amazing. Leftovers? They reheat like a dream. And if someone tries it and doesn’t swoon? Well… maybe it’s not them, it’s the garlic shortage.

Ingredients For Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Nothing fancy here—just a love story in food form:

• Pasta (12 oz) – Fettuccine or penne recommended
• Chicken breasts (1 lb) – Thinly sliced
• Olive oil (1 tbsp) – For browning the chicken
• Butter (2 tbsp) – Because cream + butter = happiness
• Garlic (3–4 cloves, minced) – More is better
• Sun-dried tomatoes (½ cup, chopped) – Adds tang and drama
• Heavy cream (1 cup) – Creamy magic
• Chicken broth (½ cup) – Depth of flavor
• Parmesan cheese (¾–1 cup, grated) – Freshly grated is king
• Red pepper flakes (½ tsp, optional) – Tiny kick, optional
• Italian seasoning (1 tsp) – Basic but essential
• Salt & black pepper – Taste as you go
• Fresh basil or parsley (optional garnish) – For that “chef-y” touch

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the pasta.
   Boil in salted water until al dente. Drain, saving ½ cup pasta water just in case.
2. Prepare the chicken.
   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook until golden and cooked through, 4–5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
3. Sauté the aromatics.
   Lower heat to medium. Melt butter in the skillet, add garlic, and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add sun-dried tomatoes and seasoning.
   Stir in chopped tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Let it cook for 1–2 minutes.
5. Make the creamy sauce.
   Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir and let it simmer 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
6. Cheese it up.
   Gradually add Parmesan, stirring constantly for a smooth, creamy sauce. If too thick, add a splash of pasta water.
7. Combine chicken and pasta.
   Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Add pasta and toss until everything is coated in creamy goodness.
8. Finish and serve.
   Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, extra Parmesan if desired, and serve immediately. Prepare for compliments.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overcooking the chicken. Dry chicken kills the romance. Cook just until done.
• Skipping the pasta water. This little trick makes the sauce silky and perfect.
• Burning the garlic. 30 seconds is enough. If it burns, your sauce will taste bitter.
• Using pre-shredded Parmesan. Freshly grated cheese melts better and tastes way creamier.

Alternatives & Substitutions

• Chicken thighs instead of breasts – Juicier, more forgiving.
• Sun-dried tomato paste – If you don’t have chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
• Half-and-half instead of heavy cream – Slightly lighter, still creamy.
• Shrimp instead of chicken – Cook shrimp 3–4 minutes; add at the end.
• Add spinach or peas – Sneaky way to get some greens in.

Final Thoughts

Marry Me Chicken Pasta is the ultimate comfort-meets-fancy dish. Creamy, flavorful, and borderline irresistible, it’s perfect for date night, weeknight indulgence, or anytime you want to make someone smile with your cooking.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Do I really need sun-dried tomatoes?
Not mandatory, but they add tang and a pop of color. You can swap with roasted red peppers if needed.

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, but it’s best fresh. Reheat gently with a splash of cream or broth.

What pasta works best?
Fettuccine or penne hold the sauce beautifully, but any pasta you love will do.

Can I make it lighter?
Use half-and-half or reduce butter. Still creamy, just a little less indulgent.

Easy Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

Recipe by Rosie DavisCourse: Chicken, Pasta, Main CourseCuisine: American / Italian-InspiredDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

24

minutes

Calories

650

kcal

Total time

34

minutes

Ingredients

• 12 oz pasta (fettuccine or penne recommended)
  

• 1 lb chicken breasts, thinly sliced
  

• 1 tbsp olive oil
  

• 2 tbsp butter
  

• 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
  

• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  

• 1 cup heavy cream
  

• ½ cup chicken broth
  

• ¾–1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  

• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  

• Salt and black pepper, to taste
  

• Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional garnish)

Directions

• Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain, saving ½ cup pasta water.
  
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook until golden and cooked through, 4–5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
  
• Lower heat to medium. Melt butter, add garlic, and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.
  
• Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook 1–2 minutes.
  
• Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Simmer 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  
• Gradually add Parmesan, stirring until smooth. Add pasta water if sauce is too thick.
  
• Return chicken to the skillet and add cooked pasta. Toss until everything is coated.
  
• Garnish with basil or parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve immediately.

Notes

• Don’t overcook the chicken—moist chicken keeps the sauce dreamy.
• Add cream on medium heat to prevent the sauce from breaking.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan for smoother, richer flavor.