Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Check More

A Love at First Bite

Have you ever taken a bite of something so rich, creamy, and full of flavor that it felt like love at first taste? That’s exactly what this Marry Me Chicken Pasta delivers—tender, juicy chicken coated in a garlic-infused, sun-dried tomato cream sauce, all tossed with perfectly cooked pasta.

Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner or just craving a comforting, cheesy pasta dish, this recipe is a guaranteed showstopper. The bold Italian flavors, paired with a luscious, velvety sauce, make it a dish you’ll want to cook again and again. Plus, it’s easy enough for a weeknight meal but impressive enough for special occasions.

Why You’ll Love This Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

This Marry Me Chicken Pasta isn’t just a dish—it’s a love story on a plate! Whether you’re making it for a romantic date night, a cozy family dinner, or just treating yourself to something rich and indulgent, this recipe has something for everyone. Here’s why you’ll love it:

Incredibly Creamy & Flavorful – The garlic-infused, sun-dried tomato sauce is velvety smooth, rich, and packed with bold Italian flavors.

 Perfectly Tender Chicken – Seared to golden perfection and simmered in a luscious sauce, the juicy chicken breasts soak up all the goodness.

One-Pan Convenience – Fewer dishes, less hassle! This dish comes together in one skillet, making cleanup a breeze.

Restaurant-Quality at Home – Love ordering creamy pasta dishes at restaurants? This recipe delivers that same gourmet taste in your own kitchen.

Customizable & Versatile – Whether you prefer fettuccine, penne, or spaghetti, this recipe works with any pasta. You can also tweak ingredients to suit your taste.

Great for Any Occasion – From special celebrations to quick weeknight dinners, this dish is always a hit.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gather these simple, flavorful ingredients to create a creamy, indulgent Marry Me Chicken Pasta that’s sure to impress! Don’t worry if you’re missing something—I’ve included easy swaps to keep things stress-free.

For the Chicken:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts – Slice them in half for quicker, even cooking. No chicken breasts? Use chicken thighs for extra juiciness!
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning – Adds a perfect blend of herbs. If unavailable, mix dried basil, oregano, and thyme.
• ½ teaspoon salt & ½ teaspoon black pepper – Enhances flavor.

For the Creamy Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil – Used to brown the chicken beautifully and lock in its juices.
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter – Adds richness to the sauce.
• 3 garlic cloves, minced – Fresh is best, but 1 teaspoon garlic powder works in a pinch.
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped – Brings a deep, tangy flavor. Substitute with cherry tomatoes for a milder taste.
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes – Adds a gentle heat. Skip or adjust based on your spice preference.
• 1 cup heavy cream – The key to that luscious texture. For a lighter option, use half-and-half.
• ½ cup chicken broth – Balances the sauce. Vegetable broth works as well.
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese – Melts into the sauce for a savory, cheesy finish. Pecorino Romano is a great alternative!

For the Pasta:

• 8 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta – Choose your favorite! Gluten-free pasta or whole wheat work too.

For Garnishing (Optional but Recommended!):

• Fresh basil or parsley, chopped – Adds a fresh pop of color and flavor.
• Extra Parmesan cheese – Because you can never have too much cheese!

How to Make

• 1. Prepare the Chicken

1. Slice boneless, skinless chicken breasts in half lengthwise for even cooking.
2. Season both sides with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to enhance flavor.

• 2. Sear the Chicken

1. Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it’s shimmering and ready for cooking.
2. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and fully cooked.
3. After cooking, remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a plate to rest while you continue with the recipe.

• 3. Create the Flavorful Sauce

1. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant.
2. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle heat.
3. Pour in chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze and absorb all the flavors.
4. Add heavy cream and let it simmer for a few minutes until thickened.
5. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt into the sauce for a creamy finish.

• 4. Cook the Pasta

1. While the sauce is simmering, cook your fettuccine or penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions.
2. Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup of pasta water in case you need to loosen the sauce later.

• 5. Combine and Finish

1. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, letting it simmer in the sauce for 2-3 minutes to absorb the flavors.
2. Add the drained pasta and toss until evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a splash of reserved pasta water.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

• 6. Serve and Enjoy!

• Top with fresh basil or parsley for added freshness and color.
• Finish off with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese for a cheesy indulgence.

 Expert tips

1. Perfectly Cook the Chicken
   –Slice chicken breasts in half for even cooking and to prevent dry, overcooked meat. Sear over medium-high heat to lock in juices and develop a golden-brown crust. Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing to retain moisture.

2. Elevate the Sauce for Maximum Flavor
   –Use sun-dried tomatoes in oil for a richer, slightly tangy depth of flavor. For dry-packed tomatoes, soak them in warm water to soften before chopping. Simmer, don’t boil! High heat can cause the cream to separate. Let the sauce thicken gently for a smooth, velvety texture. Add Parmesan in batches to prevent clumping and ensure even melting.

3. Choose the Right Pasta
   –Fettuccine, penne, or rigatoni work best as they hold the creamy sauce beautifully. Cook pasta al dente since it will continue absorbing the sauce after mixing. Set aside a bit of the starchy pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick. A splash of this water helps bind everything together!

4. Customize the Spice Level
   –like it spicy? Boost the heat by adding extra red pepper flakes or a small amount of cayenne pepper. Prefer it mild? Reduce or omit the spice, and the dish will still be deliciously creamy.

5. Garnish for the Ultimate Presentation
   –Fresh basil or parsley adds a pop of color and enhances the dish’s aroma. A final sprinkle of Parmesan gives the pasta that restaurant-style appeal. Drizzle with a touch of olive oil before serving for a glossy finish.

Print Recipe

Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Savory goodness of Marry Me Chicken Pasta. This easy-to-make dish combines juicy chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a luscious cream sauce, making it perfect for a romantic dinner or any special occasion.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Total Time30 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Keyword: creamy chicken pasta, easy chicken pasta recipe, Marry Me Chicken Pasta,

Servings: 4

Calories: 580kcal

Author: fastzestyrecipes.com

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts – Slice them in half for quicker, even cooking. No chicken breasts? Use chicken thighs for extra juiciness!
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning – Adds a perfect blend of herbs. If unavailable mix dried basil, oregano, and thyme.
• ½ teaspoon salt & ½ teaspoon black pepper – Enhances flavor.

For the Creamy Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil – Used to brown the chicken beautifully and lock in its juices.
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter – Adds richness to the sauce.
• 3 garlic cloves minced – Fresh is best, but 1 teaspoon garlic powder works in a pinch.
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped – Brings a deep, tangy flavor. Substitute with cherry tomatoes for a milder taste.
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes – Adds a gentle heat. Skip or adjust based on your spice preference.
• 1 cup heavy cream – The key to that luscious texture. For a lighter option use half-and-half.
• ½ cup chicken broth – Balances the sauce. Vegetable broth works as well.
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese – Melts into the sauce for a savory cheesy finish. Pecorino Romano is a great alternative!

For the Pasta:

• 8 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta – Choose your favorite! Gluten-free pasta or whole wheat work too.
• For Garnishing Optional but Recommended!:
• Fresh basil or parsley chopped – Adds a fresh pop of color and flavor.
• Extra Parmesan cheese – Because you can never have too much cheese!

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken

• Slice boneless, skinless chicken breasts in half lengthwise for even cooking.
• Season both sides with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to enhance flavor.

Sear the Chicken

• Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it’s shimmering and ready for cooking.
• Place the chicken in the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and fully cooked.
• After cooking, remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a plate to rest while you continue with the recipe.

Create the Flavorful Sauce

• In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant.
• Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle heat.
• Pour in chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze and absorb all the flavors.
• Add heavy cream and let it simmer for a few minutes until thickened.
• Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt into the sauce for a creamy finish.

Cook the Pasta

• While the sauce is simmering, cook your fettuccine or penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions.
• Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup of pasta water in case you need to loosen the sauce later.

Combine and Finish

• Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, letting it simmer in the sauce for 2-3 minutes to absorb the flavors.
• Add the drained pasta and toss until evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a splash of reserved pasta water.
• Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Serve and Enjoy!

• Top with fresh basil or parsley for added freshness and color.
• Finish off with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese for a cheesy indulgence.

Notes

Nutrition Information (per serving)

• Calories: 580
• Fat: 32g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
• Protein: 41g
• Carbs: 34g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Sugars: 5g
• Cholesterol: 130mg
• Sodium: 850mg
• Potassium: 600mg

F&Q