Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Marry me chicken pasta combines tender chicken, penne pasta, and a rich, creamy sauce made with parmesan cheese and sun-dried tomatoes. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an easy and flavorful dish perfect for weeknights or special occasions.

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Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Total Time30 minutes mins

Servings4

Marry me chicken pasta is the perfect combination of tender chicken, creamy sauce, and bold flavors that make every bite unforgettable. This dish brings together simple ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and fresh basil to create a comforting yet impressive pasta dish. Whether you’re cooking for a cozy date night or feeding the entire family, this recipe strikes the right balance of flavor and ease, making it a go-to for any occasion.

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What You Need To Know

• MAIN INGREDIENTS: Penne pasta, boneless skinless chicken breasts, olive oil, unsalted butter, garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, italian seasoning, smoked paprika, fresh basil.
• QUICK STEPS: Cook pasta, brown chicken in olive oil, make sauce with butter, garlic, flour, chicken broth, and cream, mix in parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and seasonings, combine with pasta and chicken, garnish with basil.
• TOTAL TIME AND YIELD: 30 minutes, 4 servings

Why This Recipe

• This sauce isn’t just delicious—it’s been tested by our team to ensure perfection. From the balance of heavy cream and parmesan cheese to the bold addition of sun-dried tomatoes and carefully adjusted seasonings, every element was fine-tuned to create a rich, flavorful sauce that coats the pasta perfectly without overwhelming the dish.
• With a total prep and cook time of just 30 minutes, this recipe works for busy weeknights while still delivering the rich flavor of a slow-cooked meal.

Marry Me Chicken Pasta Ingredients

Marry me chicken pasta brings together the best of creamy, bold, and savory flavors using ingredients that are both accessible and easy to work with.

Marry Me Chicken Pasta Substitutions and Additions

Penne Pasta: Swap with bowtie pasta, rigatoni, or any short pasta you have on hand. Just make sure to cook it al dente for the best texture.

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Substitute with boneless skinless chicken thighs for a richer, juicier option. You could also use leftover chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken for convenience.

Chicken Broth: Replace with chicken stock or even vegetable broth for a similar savory base.

Parmesan Cheese: Swap with pecorino romano for a sharper, saltier taste.

Fresh Basil: Use fresh parsley or even a small amount of dried basil if fresh isn’t available. The flavor won’t be as vibrant, but it still adds a nice herbal note.

Red Pepper Flakes: Adjust the amount to control the heat, or omit entirely for a milder dish. For more spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.

How To Make Marry Me Chicken

This marry me chicken pasta recipe is straightforward, with easy-to-follow steps that will guide you from prep to plating. It combines simple ingredients and a few key techniques to create a rich, creamy dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.

STEP ONE: Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook it according to the package directions until al dente—this usually takes about ten minutes.

Drain the pasta well and set it aside. Preparing the pasta first allows it to be ready when it’s time to mix everything together.

STEP TWO: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces, in a single layer.

Cook the chicken for three to four minutes on each side until it’s golden brown and no longer pink in the center. Check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F to ensure it’s fully cooked.

Remove the chicken from the skillet and transfer it to a clean plate.

STEP THREE: Turn the heat down to medium and add the unsalted butter to the skillet. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds to one minute until fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic burn, as it can turn bitter.

STEP FOUR: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the melted butter and garlic. Stir constantly to form a smooth paste, ensuring there are no dry spots. Cook the roux for about one minute to remove the raw flour taste, which helps create a smooth base for the sauce.

STEP FIVE: Gradually pour in the chicken broth while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Allow the mixture to simmer for one to two minutes until it begins to thicken slightly. This forms the foundation of the sauce.

STEP SIX: Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream, parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix well and let the sauce simmer for two to three minutes, stirring frequently to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

The sauce should thicken enough to coat the back of a spoon.

STEP SEVEN: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the drained penne pasta. Add two tablespoons of the fresh chopped basil and gently stir everything together, making sure the pasta and chicken are fully coated with the sauce.

STEP EIGHT: Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle the remaining one tablespoon of fresh basil over the top for a bright, fresh finish. Serve the marry me chicken pasta immediately, and enjoy this creamy, flavorful dish.

Troubleshooting This Marry Me Chicken Pasta

The sauce turns out too thick or clumpy.
Gradually add a splash of reserved pasta water or additional chicken broth while stirring to loosen the sauce and create a smoother consistency.

The chicken ends up dry or overcooked.
Cook the chicken in a single layer over medium-high heat and remove it from the skillet as soon as the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Avoid overcooking.

The sauce separates or curdles.
Avoid boiling the sauce after adding the heavy cream; keep the heat at medium-low to maintain a smooth, creamy texture.

The sun-dried tomatoes overpower the dish.
Drain the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes thoroughly and chop them finely to distribute their flavor more evenly throughout the sauce.

The sauce sticks to the bottom of the pan.
Stir frequently while making the sauce, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan to incorporate into the sauce and prevent sticking.

How To Serve Marry Me Chicken Pasta

To create a well-rounded meal with marry me chicken pasta, consider pairing it with complementary sides that enhance its rich flavors. A fresh salad, like a tomato cucumber salad, offers a crisp contrast to the creamy sauce.

For a warm vegetable option, roasted broccoli provides a delightful crunch and subtle sweetness. To soak up the delicious sauce, serve with garlic bread, which adds a savory, buttery element to the meal.

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How To Store Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Keeping your marry me chicken pasta fresh is simple with the right storage techniques. Whether you’re preparing it ahead, saving leftovers, or freezing portions for later, follow these tips to keep the dish tasting its best.

MAKE AHEAD: This recipe can be partially prepared ahead of time by cooking the chicken pieces and penne pasta separately, storing them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Prepare the sauce fresh when you’re ready to serve to maintain its creamy texture and avoid separation.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Allow the dish to cool completely before sealing to avoid condensation, which can make the sauce watery.

IN THE FREEZER: you can freeze marry me chicken pasta, but for the best results, freeze the components separately. Place the cooked chicken pieces and penne pasta in separate freezer-safe containers or bags, and store the sauce in another container. This method helps maintain the sauce’s creamy texture. Everything can be frozen for up to three months. When ready to use, thaw the chicken, pasta, and sauce in the fridge overnight.

REHEATING: Reheat leftovers on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of chicken broth or pasta water to restore the sauce’s creaminess.

For quicker reheating, use the microwave on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until warmed through. Avoid overheating to prevent the sauce from separating.

Marry me chicken pasta brings together creamy sauce, tender chicken, and bold flavors in a dish that feels special yet is easy enough for weeknights. It’s a versatile recipe that’s sure to impress at the dinner table, no matter the occasion.

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Marry Me Chicken Pasta

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Marry me chicken pasta combines tender chicken, penne pasta, and a rich, creamy sauce made with parmesan cheese and sun-dried tomatoes. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an easy and flavorful dish perfect for weeknights or special occasions.

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 30 minutes minutes

Servings 4

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Ingredients

  

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• ½ pound penne pasta, cooked and drained according to package directions
• 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch bite sized pieces (approximately 1 ½ pounds)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 8.5 ounces sun-dried tomatoes, julienne cut and packed in oil, oil drained (approximately 1 cup)
• 1 teaspoon italian seasoning blend
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 3 tablespoons fresh chopped basil leaves, divided (2 tablespoons mixed into sauce and 1 tablespoon for garnish)

Instructions

 

• In a large pot of water, cook the penne pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside. While the pasta is cooking, you can make the rest of the recipe.
• To a large (12 inch) skillet, over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the boneless skinless chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook and brown the chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and no pink remains. The internal temperature of the chicken pieces should reach 165°F to be cooked through. Transfer the browned chicken to a clean plate and set aside.
• Turn the heat to the skillet down to medium and add the unsalted butter. Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute or just until the garlic is tender and fragrant.
• Add the all-purpose flour to the skillet and stir into the melted butter until no dry pockets of flour remain. Cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
• Slowly add the chicken broth to the skillet, while whisking constantly, being sure to not allow any lumps to form. Allow the mixture to bubble and thicken slightly for 1-2 minutes.
• To the skillet, add the heavy cream, grated parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, italian seasoning blend, salt, smoked paprika, black pepper and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine. Allow the sauce to bubble and thicken for 2-3 minutes while stirring often to avoid lumps from forming in the sauce.
• Once the sauce has thickened, add the drained penne pasta, browned chicken pieces and 2 tablespoons of the chopped fresh basil. Gently stir to combine, being sure all the pasta is coated with the sauce.
• Remove the skillet from the heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh basil, to garnish the marry me chicken pasta, before serving.

Notes

• Any short pasta will work well in this recipe as a substitute for the penne pasta.
• I do not recommend substituting the heavy cream as the fat, and richness, of the heavy cream is essential for the final texture and taste of the sauce.
• If you cannot find sun-dried tomatoes already cut into julienne slices, you can slice them yourself with a sharp knife. Be sure to drain them well of the oil they are packed in before slicing them.
• If you can not find sun-dried tomatoes packed in an herb oil, you can increase the amount of dried italian seasoning blend to ¾ teaspoons in the recipe.
• If substituting with low, or no, sodium chicken broth, be sure to taste the sauce before serving and adjust the added amount of salt if needed.
• When choosing a pre-grated parmesan cheese brand, be sure to choose a high quality one that doesn’t add any other ingredients to the cheese. This will ensure your cheese melts well in the sauce when added. Alternatively, you can finely shred a block of fresh parmesan cheese for best melting and flavor for your marry me chicken pasta.

Nutrition

Calories: 702kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 141mg | Sodium: 1035mg | Potassium: 483mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1533IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 296mg | Iron: 2mg

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