The Best Recipe For Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Hey y'all! If you love silky, garlicky cream sauces, juicy pan-seared chicken, and twirlable pasta coated in rich sun-dried tomato goodness, this is your new weeknight crush. The Best Recipe For Marry Me Chicken Pasta is equal parts cozy comfort and date-night worthy, perfect for busy evenings, family dinners, or impressing guests without breaking a sweat. Let's get cooking!

Why You'll Love The Best Recipe For Marry Me Chicken Pasta

• Creamy, restaurant-quality sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan that hugs every noodle.
• Ready in about 35 minutes, yet tastes like it simmered all afternoon.
• Kid-friendly but elegant enough for date night or hosting.
• Simple pantry staples and one skillet for easy cleanup.
• Flexible: swap pasta shapes, adjust spice, or add veggies without fuss.

Ingredients You'll Need

• 12 oz short pasta (rigatoni or penne)
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt (for pasta water)

Chicken:

• 1.25 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 large)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (reduce for less heat)
• 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour (light dredge)
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Sauce:

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and thinly sliced
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth (or ¾ cup broth + ¼ cup dry white wine)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped (plus more for garnish)
• Extra salt and pepper to taste

How to Make The Best Recipe For Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Boil the pasta al dente

1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and season with 1 tablespoon kosher salt. Add 12 oz pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente (usually 10–11 minutes). Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.

Sear the chicken for marry-me flavor

2. Pound chicken breasts to an even ½–¾ inch thickness. Pat dry and season both sides with 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Lightly dredge in 2 tablespoon flour, shaking off excess.
3. Heat 2 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until deeply golden. Internal temperature should finish at 165°F (74°C); remove to a plate and tent with foil.

Build the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce

4. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 1 tablespoon tomato paste; cook 1 minute to caramelize.
5. Pour in chicken broth (and wine, if using), scraping up browned bits. Simmer 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
6. Stir in heavy cream and sun-dried tomatoes; simmer 3–4 minutes, stirring, until slightly thickened. Sprinkle in Parmesan and whisk until smooth and velvety. Season to taste.

Combine pasta and chicken for The Best Recipe For Marry Me Chicken Pasta

7. Return the chicken (and any juices) to the skillet and simmer in the sauce 4–6 minutes, turning once, until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
8. Add drained pasta, lemon juice, and chopped basil. Toss to coat, loosening with reserved pasta water 2–4 tablespoon as needed for a glossy, silky sauce. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes. Serve hot with extra basil and Parmesan.

Notes For Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta Success

• Salt the pasta water generously; it should taste like the sea for the best seasoned noodles. See this pasta guide from The Kitchn: how to cook pasta al dente.
• Chicken is done at 165°F (74°C). For safety details, check USDA poultry guidance: USDA poultry safety.
• Shred your own Parmesan for the smoothest, non-gritty sauce; pre-shredded often contains anti-caking agents that prevent melting.

Variations on Marry Me Chicken Pasta

• Spicy Calabrian: Swap red pepper flakes for 1–2 teaspoon chopped Calabrian chiles and add ½ teaspoon smoked paprika.
• Mushroom & spinach: Sauté 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms after searing chicken, add 3 cups baby spinach to the sauce in the last 2 minutes.
• Lighter version: Use half-and-half instead of cream and finish with 2 tablespoon mascarpone for body; it will be slightly thinner but still creamy.

Equipment You’ll Need

• Large pot for boiling pasta
• 12-inch sauté pan or skillet
• Instant-read thermometer
• Tongs and wooden spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Cutting board and chef's knife

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips for Marry Me Chicken Pasta

• Refrigerate: Cool completely, then store in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
• Freeze: Cream sauces can separate, but it works in a pinch. Freeze up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and whisk in a splash of warm cream or broth when reheating.
• Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop over low heat 3–5 minutes, adding a bit of reserved broth, milk, or pasta water to loosen.
• Make-ahead: Cook pasta 1–2 minutes shy of al dente and toss with a drizzle of oil; assemble sauce and chicken, then combine and reheat just before serving.

Serving & Pairings

• Greens: Simple arugula salad with lemon and olive oil or roasted broccoli.
• Bread: Warm garlic bread, ciabatta, or focaccia to swipe up the extra sauce.
• Wine: Pinot Grigio, Verdicchio, or a light Chardonnay. Prefer red? Try a fruit-forward Pinot Noir.
• Extras: Add a squeeze of lemon and a shower of basil and Parmesan right before serving for brightness.

Pro Tips for The Best Recipe For Marry Me Chicken Pasta

• Use high heat for a deep sear, then lower to finish in the sauce; this builds fond for next-level flavor. Great searing tips here: pan-seared chicken.
• Cut thick chicken breasts into cutlets for even cooking, or use chicken tenderloins to hit that 4–5 minute per side sweet spot.
• Emulsify: Toss pasta with the sauce off the heat and splash in starchy pasta water to create a glossy, clingy finish that never feels heavy.

FAQ: Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes. Use 1.25 lb boneless, skinless thighs. Sear 5–6 minutes per side and simmer in sauce until they reach 165°F (74°C).

How can I make this gluten-free?
Use your favorite gluten-free pasta and swap the flour dredge for 1 tablespoon cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend. Everything else stays the same.

Why did my sauce separate?
Overheating dairy can cause splitting. Keep the heat at a gentle simmer after adding cream, add cheese off the heat, and whisk in a little pasta water to re-emulsify if needed.

There you have it: The Best Recipe For Marry Me Chicken Pasta that is creamy, cozy, and craveable every time.

★★★★★ 4.20 from 64 ratings

The Best Recipe For Marry Me Chicken Pasta

yield: 4 servings

prep: 15 mins

cook: 25 mins

total: 40 mins

A creamy, flavorful chicken pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan — a romantic and easy-to-make weeknight dinner known as Marry Me Chicken Pasta.

🖨️ Print Pin Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin cutlets
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 8 oz (225 g) pasta (penne or rigatoni)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. 1
   Season the chicken cutlets on both sides with salt and pepper. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm 1 tablespoon olive oil and sear the chicken until golden and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove chicken to a plate and keep warm.
2. 2
   Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
3. 3
   In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1-2 minutes.
4. 4
   Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan until melted and smooth. If the sauce is too thick, loosen with a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
5. 5
   Slice the cooked chicken and add it back to the skillet along with the drained pasta. Toss everything together to coat in the sauce. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan or chopped fresh basil if desired.

CLICK FOR NUTRITION INFO ↑

Approximate Information for One Serving

Serving Size: 1 serving

Calories: 650 caloriescal

Protein: 45 gg

Fat: 38 gg

Saturated Fat: 0g

Trans Fat: 0g

Cholesterol: 0mg

Sodium: 0mg

Potassium: 0mg

Total Carbs: 45 gg

Fiber: 0g

Sugar: 0g

Net Carbs: 0g

Vitamin A: 0

Vitamin C: 0mg

Calcium: 0mg

Iron: 0mg

Nutrition Disclaimers

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

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