Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe isn’t just a meal it’s a moment. The kind where forks pause mid-air, eyes widen, and someone says, “You’ve got to make this again.” I remember the first time I made it. We’d both had one of those days where everything went sideways. I needed comfort, but I wanted flavor something creamy, rich, and satisfying. That’s when this dish came into our lives. And let me tell you, it didn’t just satisfy it stole the show.
In this article, you’ll find everything you need to make the best Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe, from the story behind the name to the ingredients that make it magic. Whether you’re planning a cozy night in, a first-date dinner, or just craving something crave-worthy, this pasta’s creamy sauce and tender chicken will do the trick. If you love hearty dishes that feel homemade and special all at once, this is your new go-to.
We’ll also share related favorites like our Marry Me Chicken Soup for a cozy variation, or the always satisfying Creamy Bowtie Chicken Pasta for an easy weekday win.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Creamy, rich, and loaded with flavor, this Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe brings together juicy chicken, a dreamy sun-dried tomato cream sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta for a dinner that always impresses.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika (to season chicken)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ small onion, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (in oil), chopped
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 8 oz penne or fettuccine pasta
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Slice chicken breasts in half lengthwise, pat dry, and season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Lower heat to medium. Add garlic and onion to the skillet and cook until soft and fragrant.
- Deglaze with chicken broth, then stir in heavy cream, parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes. Simmer 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Slice cooked chicken and return to the skillet. Simmer 2–3 more minutes to combine flavors.
- Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain, reserving some pasta water.
- Add cooked pasta to the sauce and mix well. Add a splash of pasta water if needed.
- Serve hot topped with extra parmesan, red pepper flakes, and fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
Use fresh parmesan for the best melt and flavor. Don’t boil the cream sauce—keep it to a gentle simmer. Add spinach or bacon for extra variety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 37g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
The Story & Intro Behind the Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe
Why Is It Called “Marry Me Chicken Pasta”?
The name Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe sounds dramatic—but it’s backed by real reactions. Legend has it, the name came from a recipe test in a food magazine kitchen. One bite in and someone jokingly said, “I’d marry you for this!” It was that good. And that moment turned this creamy pasta into a sensation.
But it’s not just hype. The flavor comes from a rich combination of garlic, heavy cream, parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes—ingredients that sing together like a Southern church choir. Add golden-seared chicken and perfectly cooked pasta, and it’s not hard to see why this Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe might just lead to a proposal. It tastes like you spent hours cooking, but it’s surprisingly simple.
Fans of the classic will also love the Blackened Chicken Alfredo Pasta, where spice meets cream in all the right ways.
How It Became a Favorite in Our Kitchen
I’ll be honest—this dish didn’t start off as anything fancy. I threw it together after a long shift and a fridge full of random ingredients. But what came out of that skillet? Creamy, comforting, unforgettable. The sauce had just the right amount of heat from red pepper flakes, the chicken was juicy, and that pasta soaked it all up like a dream.
After that night, this Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe became a regular in our dinner rotation. Birthdays. Stay-at-home date nights. “Sorry I messed up” dinners. And it never disappointed. The name might be cheeky, but the flavor is serious. Every time I serve it, people ask for the recipe. And every time, I smile and say, “You sure you’re ready to fall in love?”
Just like our Creamy Bowtie Chicken Pasta, it’s about bold taste and real ingredients—no shortcuts, no fuss. If you’re looking for a meal that wins hearts and fills bellies, the Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe delivers every single time.
Ingredients That Make the Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe So Irresistible
What You’ll Need to Get That Creamy, Bold Flavor
When it comes to this Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe, the ingredients are simple—but every one of them counts. You’re not building a complicated dish here. You’re building deep flavor fast. The beauty is that most of these ingredients might already be in your fridge or pantry.
Here’s a look at what you’ll need:
| Ingredient | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts | Juicy, quick to cook, and perfect for absorbing the creamy sauce |
| Garlic & Onion | These build the flavor base—don’t skip or skimp |
| Heavy Cream | The star of the sauce—creamy, dreamy texture |
| Parmesan Cheese | Adds sharp, salty depth to the sauce |
| Sun-Dried Tomatoes | Tangy, rich, and absolutely key for that signature flavor |
| Chicken Broth | Balances out the cream and intensifies the chicken flavor |
| Red Pepper Flakes | A little heat goes a long way—optional but highly recommended |
| Pasta (penne or fettuccine) | Sturdy shapes that hold the sauce beautifully |
This Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe hits that perfect balance—creamy, savory, and just a little spicy. Use good-quality parmesan and sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for the best results.
Choosing the Right Pasta and Add-Ins
The original Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe usually pairs best with short pasta like penne, but fettuccine or bowtie also work great. Anything with enough surface area to hold that thick, creamy sauce is a win.
Want to change it up? Add baby spinach at the end for color and freshness. Crumbled bacon works too if you’re craving smoky richness. And if you’re dairy-sensitive, try coconut cream and nutritional yeast—it won’t be identical, but still incredibly tasty.
If you’re into flavor-packed, creamy meals, our Marry Me Chicken Soup takes a cozy turn using many of the same ingredients with broth instead of pasta. Or try the Blackened Chicken Alfredo Pasta if you’re in the mood for bold, spicy richness.
How to Make the Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe Step by Step
Easy, Flavor-Packed Steps from Start to Finish
This Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe isn’t fussy—it’s all about building flavor fast and letting a few key ingredients shine. From skillet to table in under 40 minutes, it’s weeknight-friendly but tastes like a weekend indulgence.
Here’s exactly how we make it in our kitchen:
- Prep your chicken. Slice two boneless skinless chicken breasts in half lengthwise for quicker, even cooking. Pat them dry and season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a touch of paprika.
- Sear it right. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add the chicken and sear each side for about 4–5 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Make the flavor base. In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium and toss in minced garlic and chopped onion. Let them soften for a few minutes—you’ll smell the magic starting.
- Build the sauce. Add chicken broth to deglaze the pan, then stir in heavy cream, grated parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes. Simmer it for 5–7 minutes until thickened slightly.
- Slice and return chicken. Cut the cooked chicken into strips and stir them back into the sauce. Let them soak up that creamy goodness for 2–3 more minutes.
- Cook your pasta. While the sauce simmers, boil your pasta (penne or fettuccine both work great) in salted water until just al dente. Drain and save a little pasta water.
- Bring it together. Toss the pasta into the skillet and mix well. Add a splash of pasta water if needed to loosen things up.
- Finish and serve. Top with more parmesan and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like heat. A little chopped basil or parsley adds a pop of freshness too.
You’ll want seconds. Probably thirds.
Tips to Keep It Creamy, Not Clumpy
This Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe relies on a silky sauce. Here’s how to keep it perfect every time:
- Use freshly grated parmesan—not the powdered kind in a can. It melts better and tastes real.
- Let the cream simmer gently. Don’t boil it hard or it might split.
- Add cooked pasta to the sauce while it’s still hot so everything blends evenly.
Craving a cozy spin? You’ll love how these same flavors transform in our Marry Me Chicken Soup. Or, if you’re feeling bold, the Blackened Chicken Alfredo Pasta brings a spicy edge to creamy comfort.
FAQs and Serving Tips for the Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe
What Pasta Goes with Marry Me Chicken?
The beauty of the Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe is its flexibility. While penne is the most popular pick, fettuccine and bowtie pasta work beautifully too. You want something with enough shape to grab that creamy, cheesy sauce. Short pasta is great for scooping every drop, but long noodles bring elegance if you’re cooking to impress.
If you love pasta that’s big on sauce, our Creamy Bowtie Chicken Pasta also nails that rich texture and cling.
What Is the Sauce on Marry Me Chicken Made Of?
This isn’t just a cream sauce—it’s a crave-worthy blend of heavy cream, parmesan, garlic, chicken broth, and sun-dried tomatoes. The richness of the cream gets balanced by the tang from the tomatoes and the bite of the cheese. A little red pepper flake adds a hint of warmth, but not enough to scare off sensitive palates.
That same flavor combo is what makes the Marry Me Chicken Soup such a comforting spin on the original pasta version.
Is Marry Me Chicken Better with Rice or Pasta?
While the dish is traditionally served with pasta, rice is a solid option if you want something gluten-free or need to stretch your servings. The sauce pairs well with jasmine or wild rice, and it’s also great over mashed potatoes for a cozy comfort meal.
That said, pasta gives the full experience of the Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe—especially when it soaks up all that creamy flavor in every curve and ridge.
Why Is It Called “Marry Me Chicken Pasta”?
Honestly? Because the flavor might just win you a ring. The name came from an editor taste-testing a similar creamy chicken dish who blurted out, “I’d marry you for this.” The name stuck because, well, it fits. This dish delivers love-at-first-bite energy, and it turns an ordinary night into something worth remembering.
Conclusion: Why This Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe Belongs in Your Weekly Rotation
At the end of the day, this Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe brings more than flavor—it brings comfort, connection, and a little fun. It’s the kind of meal that doesn’t just fill you up. It makes people feel cared for. Whether you’re cooking to impress, to comfort, or just to satisfy a serious pasta craving, this dish is your new go-to.
It’s creamy. It’s bold. It’s made with love.
And hey if it leads to a proposal? Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
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