Swoon-Worthy Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe For Love Birds

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this creamy marry me chicken pasta promises to steal hearts with its irresistible flavors.

Sun-dried tomatoes and herbs dance across tender chicken, creating a meal that feels almost magical.

Each forkful brings a rich, velvety sauce that whispers romance and comfort.

Parmesan cheese melts into the dish, adding depth and warmth to every bite.

The combination of ingredients creates a symphony of tastes that keeps you coming back for more.

Fresh basil sprinkled on top adds a bright, final touch that elevates this pasta from simple to spectacular.

What Makes Marry Me Chicken Pasta So Irresistible

• Whip Up Quick Comfort: Savor a delicious meal that comes together effortlessly, perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something special without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Explosion: Packed with creamy sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and tender chicken, this dish guarantees smiles from both kids and adults, making it a total family winner.
• Impress Without Stress: Looks like a restaurant-quality meal but requires minimal cooking skills, allowing even novice cooks to create a stunning dinner that seems much more complicated than it really is.
• One-Skillet Dish: Minimize cleanup with this convenient recipe that uses just one pan, reducing dishes and making mealtime preparation and post-dinner cleanup a breeze.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Marry Me Chicken Pasta

• Chicken Breasts: Lean and tender meat perfect for a delicious pasta dish.
• Parmesan Cheese: Salty and rich cheese that adds creamy depth.

• Heavy Cream, Chicken Broth: Smooth and luxurious base for the sauce.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Tangy and concentrated tomato flavor.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Spicy kick to enhance the overall taste.
• Garlic: Aromatic and flavorful ingredient.

• Penne Pasta: Classic pasta shape that holds sauce beautifully.
• Fresh Basil: Bright and herbal garnish for fresh finish.

• Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings and cooking foundation.

Simple Steps for Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Prepare and Season Chicken

Grab chicken breasts and sprinkle them generously with salt and black pepper, ensuring each side gets an even coating of seasoning.

Step 2: Sear Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Carefully place chicken breasts into the hot pan and cook until they develop a beautiful golden-brown exterior.

Flip and continue cooking until the chicken is completely cooked through, which typically takes about 5-7 minutes per side.

Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.

Step 3: Create Luxurious Creamy Sauce

In the same skillet used for chicken, add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.

• Heavy cream
• Chicken broth
• Red pepper flakes
• Sun-dried tomatoes

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it bubble softly for 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and develop rich flavors.

Step 4: Enrich the Sauce

Lower the heat and sprinkle Parmesan cheese into the sauce.

Stir continuously until the cheese melts completely, creating a smooth and creamy texture.

Step 5: Cook Pasta

While preparing the sauce, cook penne pasta according to package instructions.

Once done, drain the pasta thoroughly.

Step 6: Combine and Finish

Add the drained pasta directly into the creamy sauce.

Slice the cooked chicken and gently place it into the skillet.

Toss everything together, ensuring the pasta and chicken are evenly coated with the sauce.

Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to warm through.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped basil over the top of the pasta just before serving.

Plate and enjoy your restaurant-quality Marry Me Chicken Pasta!

Cooking Tips for Marry Me Chicken Pasta

• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect golden-brown exterior with crispy edges that lock in delicious flavors.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to match your heat preference – use less for mild or more for a spicy kick that tingles your taste buds.
• Cook pasta just shy of al dente since it will continue absorbing sauce in the skillet, preventing mushy texture and maintaining ideal pasta consistency.
• Let sauce simmer uncovered to naturally reduce and thicken, creating a rich and creamy coating that clings beautifully to pasta and chicken.
• Swap heavy cream with coconut milk and nutritional yeast for a plant-based version that keeps the recipe's signature creamy and tangy profile.

Save and Reheat Marry Me Chicken Pasta

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, the pasta will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore sauce's creamy consistency and prevent drying out.
• Place portions in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals. Stir between intervals to distribute heat evenly and maintain texture.
• Freeze without basil for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat using stovetop method for best results.

Best Pairings for Marry Me Chicken Pasta

• Enhance Flavor Pairing: Select a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio to complement the creamy, sun-dried tomato sauce, cutting through the richness with its light, refreshing acidity.
• Balanced Side Salad: Prepare a zesty arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, which provides a peppery contrast to the pasta's creamy texture and helps cleanse the palate between bites.
• Herbal Bread Companion: Serve warm, garlic-infused focaccia bread to soak up the delicious sauce, adding an additional layer of flavor and providing a crunchy textural element to the meal.
• Wine Alternative Suggestion: For non-alcoholic options, try a sparkling Italian-style lemonade or a crisp apple spritzer that will mirror the bright, tangy notes of the sun-dried tomatoes in the dish.

Flavor Options for Marry Me Chicken Pasta

• Gluten-Free Swap: Replace penne pasta with gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese to create a lactose-free version.
• Vegetarian Option: Replace chicken with grilled portobello mushrooms or plant-based chicken alternative, maintaining the rich, creamy sauce's flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Version: Swap pasta with spiralized vegetables like spaghetti squash or cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrate content while keeping the dish's core essence.

FAQs

• Why is it called Marry Me Chicken Pasta?

The name suggests the dish is so delicious that it could make someone propose marriage, known for its rich, creamy sauce and incredible flavor combination.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe has a mild kick from red pepper flakes, which can be adjusted to your preference by adding more or less to control the heat level.

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! While penne works great, you can substitute with other short pasta shapes like rigatoni, farfalle, or rotini that hold sauce well.

• Do I need any special cooking skills to make this recipe?

No, this dish is beginner-friendly. It requires basic skills like sautéing chicken, making a simple cream sauce, and cooking pasta, making it accessible for home cooks of all levels.

Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.5 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Irresistible marry me chicken pasta promises flavor fireworks with creamy sun-dried tomato sauce and tender chicken that melts hearts. Romantic Italian-inspired comfort delivers a quick weeknight dinner guaranteed to spark connection and culinary passion.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 lb (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Dairy and Cheese:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
• 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese

Pasta and Seasonings:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup (75 grams) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare a flavorful seasoning blend of salt and freshly ground black pepper for the chicken breasts.
2. Heat a large skillet with olive oil over medium-high temperature, creating a perfect searing environment for the chicken.
3. Carefully place the seasoned chicken into the hot skillet, allowing each side to develop a golden-brown crust and cook thoroughly, approximately 5-6 minutes per side.
4. Transfer the perfectly cooked chicken to a separate plate, keeping it warm and juicy.
5. In the same skillet, introduce minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and lightly golden.
6. Pour in heavy cream, chicken broth, and sprinkle red pepper flakes to create a vibrant base for the sauce.
7. Add sun-dried tomatoes to the liquid mixture, allowing them to infuse their rich, tangy flavor into the developing sauce.
8. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, letting it reduce and thicken for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
9. Gradually incorporate freshly grated Parmesan cheese, whisking until the sauce becomes smooth and luxuriously creamy.
10. While the sauce develops, cook penne pasta in salted boiling water until perfectly al dente, then drain thoroughly.
11. Combine the pasta with the rich, creamy sauce, gently tossing to ensure complete coverage.
12. Slice the reserved chicken into elegant strips and nestle them into the pasta mixture.
13. Warm the entire dish for an additional 1-2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together harmoniously.
14. Finish with a generous sprinkle of fresh basil leaves, adding a bright, aromatic touch to the completed dish.

Notes

• Tenderize chicken breasts by pounding them to an even thickness, ensuring uniform cooking and preventing dry edges.
• Opt for low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels and customize the dish’s seasoning to personal taste preferences.
• Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or Greek yogurt for a lighter, diet-friendly version that maintains creamy texture.
• Toast sun-dried tomatoes briefly before adding to the sauce to enhance their rich, concentrated flavor profile and unlock deeper umami notes.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 610
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 125 mg