Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

I’m still buzzing from the memory of making this Marry Me Chicken Pasta for my sister’s arranged marriage ceremony.

Let me tell you, it was a total hit! The other family couldn’t get enough of it. Seriously, the father of the potential groom even joked about offering me his son’s hand in marriage — talk about a compliment!

This recipe is inspired by the viral Marry Me Chicken, but I put a personal spin on it by turning it into a delicious pasta dish. It’s packed with flavor, thanks to a creamy sauce and sun-dried tomatoes. And the best part? It’s surprisingly easy to make. You basically just cook the chicken and pasta while the sauce simmers away.

This Marry Me Chicken Pasta was the star of that night! As I served it, I could almost hear the gasps of delight. They could not stop raving about it. It was the perfect combination of rich and flavorful, and everyone kept going back for seconds.

So, whether you’re trying to impress your in-laws or just want to treat your family to an amazing meal, this Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a must-try. You won’t regret it!

Ingredients

Chicken breasts or thighs

This recipe is all about versatility, so you can choose whatever cut of chicken you have on hand or prefer. I tend to go for boneless, skinless chicken breasts because they’re quick and easy to cook through.

But hey, if you’re a dark meat fan, chicken thighs will work beautifully here too! They add a touch more richness to the dish.

Sun-dried tomatoes

These little flavor bombs are the heart and soul of this dish. Sun-dried tomatoes add a burst of tangy, concentrated tomato flavor that’s absolutely divine.

Did you know that one pound of fresh tomatoes yields only about 4 ounces of sun-dried tomatoes? That’s some serious concentration of flavor!

Garlic and onion

The aromatics that form the base of so many delicious dishes. I always keep a bag of garlic and a basket of onions on hand because they add so much flavor to pretty much anything you cook.

If you’re short on time, you can use pre-minced garlic, but freshly minced garlic always tastes best (according to my mother).

Heavy cream

This is what makes the sauce so luxuriously creamy and decadent. Use a lighter cream if you prefer, but keep in mind that the flavor and texture won’t be quite the same.

Parmesan cheese

Adds a salty, nutty depth of flavor to the sauce. You can use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor, but pre-shredded Parmesan will work in a pinch.

Dried herbs

Italian seasoning is a blend of herbs that typically includes oregano, thyme, basil, and rosemary. It’s a convenient way to add all the essential Italian flavors to your dish. You can also substitute this with a combination of your favorite dried herbs.

Chicken broth

Adds moisture and flavor to the sauce. You can use low-sodium chicken broth if you’re watching your sodium intake.

Red pepper flakes

A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a touch of heat to the dish. Of course, this is optional, but a little bit of heat can really balance out the richness of the sauce.

Salt and black pepper

Use these to taste, as they are essential for bringing out all the flavors of the ingredients.

Recipe

This Marry Me Chicken Pasta comes together surprisingly fast, but there are a few key steps that I learned the hard way are best not messed with. Trust me, these steps will ensure your pasta is restaurant-worthy and leaves everyone asking for seconds (or proposing, if the rumors are true!).

I always like to start by prepping everything before I heat up the pan. This way, you won’t be scrambling later while your chicken’s sizzling away. Dice up your chicken into bite-sized pieces. I once tried to make this recipe with larger chunks, and let’s just say it took forever to cook through. 

Now, heat up some olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once it’s nice and hot, add your chicken. Season it generously with salt and pepper. Let the chicken cook undisturbed for a few minutes. Don’t peek or prod it with your spatula every two seconds. Once it’s browned and cooked through, remove it from the pan and set it aside on a plate.

Add the chopped onion and garlic to the same pan you cooked the chicken in. Let them cook for a minute or two until the onions are softened and translucent. Don’t walk away from the pan though – you don’t want to burn the garlic! Once they’re nice and fragrant, add the sun-dried tomatoes. 

Now, sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and a pinch of red pepper flakes (if you like a little kick). Stir it all together for a minute, letting those herbs release all their wonderful aromas. Then, pour in the chicken broth. 

Bring the broth to a simmer and let it bubble for a few minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld together. Then, reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. This is where things get luxurious as the heavy cream transforms the broth into a silky, decadent sauce. Be careful not to let it come to a full boil, or you might end up with a sad, broken sauce. Nobody wants that!

Stir in the Parmesan cheese until it’s melted and beautifully incorporated into the sauce. Take a taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. A very common mistake here is over-adding the cheese, knowing you cannot take it away. So always start slow and taste as you go.

While the sauce simmers, cook your favorite pasta according to the package directions. I usually go for penne, but any kind of short pasta will work here. Once the pasta is cooked al dente (that means perfectly cooked, with a slight bite to it), drain it, reserving a little of that starchy pasta water.

Finally, the moment you’ve been waiting for! Toss the cooked pasta with the creamy sauce in your pan. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated in that glorious sauce.

Plate your Marry Me Chicken Pasta and top it with the cooked chicken you set aside earlier. Garnish with some fresh parsley or chopped fresh basil for a pop of color and get ready to impress everyone at the table.

How To Store The Pasta?

Leftovers of this Marry Me Chicken Pasta are a true blessing. I always make a double batch because I know I’ll be sneaking bites (or maybe even a full second helping) for days to come.

• Refrigerate: Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat: When you’re ready to enjoy those delicious leftovers, gently reheat them in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if needed. Microwaving can sometimes make the sauce a bit watery, so I prefer the stovetop method.

Up-scaling The Recipe

Now, let’s talk about taking this dish to the next level! Here are a few ideas to make it truly special:

• Add Shrimp or Salmon: For a seafood twist, add cooked shrimp or salmon to the pasta.
• Truffle Oil: A drizzle of truffle oil adds a luxurious and earthy flavor that will impress your guests.
• Roasted Vegetables: Roast some seasonal vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts and toss them with the pasta for a healthy and flavorful addition.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Fresh basil, parsley, or even a few microgreens add a beautiful touch of color and freshness.
• Serve with a Side Salad: A simple side salad of mixed greens with a light vinaigrette complements the richness of the pasta perfectly.

I hope these tips help you enjoy this Marry Me Chicken Pasta even more! 

Tips For The Best Side-Dishes

Tip # 1 – For Extra Flavor

don’t skip scraping up all those browned bits from the bottom of the pan with your spatula. Those bits are pure flavor gold, and you want them incorporated into your sauce.

Tip # 2 – Homemade Thyme Infused Broth

Instead of plain chicken broth, use a flavorful homemade broth or a high-quality store-bought broth with added herbs and spices like thyme or rosemary. This will elevate the entire dish.

Tip # 3 – Citrus Punch

A touch of lemon zest or a squeeze of lemon juice at the end can brighten the flavors and add a refreshing acidity.

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