How to Make the Best Marry Me Chicken Pasta at Home

If you’ve never tried marry me chicken pasta, get ready to fall head over heels—because this dish is packed with creamy, savory flavor that just might inspire a proposal. Rich, comforting, and surprisingly easy to make, it’s no wonder this pasta is capturing hearts everywhere. Ready to taste what all the fuss is about? Keep reading—you won’t want to miss this love-at-first-bite recipe.

Ingredients

• 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes in oil
• 12 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
• Fresh basil for garnish

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Saucepan
• Tongs
• Wooden spoon
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Chef’s knife
• Cutting board
• Grater

Instructions

1. Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. This step is key for flavor and color.
2. Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken and cook for 5 to 6 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked. Set aside on a plate to rest. Do not skip the rest time — it helps the juices redistribute.
3. Sauté the garlic: Lower the heat to medium and add the minced garlic to the same skillet. Sauté for about 30 seconds just until fragrant, not browned. This adds a deep base flavor to the sauce.
4. Deglaze with broth: Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the skillet. That’s liquid gold for flavor.
5. Make the creamy sauce: Stir in heavy cream, dried thyme, crushed red pepper flakes, grated parmesan, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Simmer gently for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce begins to thicken.
6. Cook pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
7. Slice and return chicken: Slice the rested chicken into strips and return them to the skillet. Stir to coat the chicken with the sauce and let it warm through.
8. Combine with pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Use tongs to toss everything gently until the pasta is well coated and the chicken is evenly distributed.
9. Serve: Scoop onto plates and top with torn fresh basil and extra parmesan cheese. Serve hot. A drizzle of good olive oil on top never hurts.

Nutrition per serving

Description

Creamy, savory, and utterly irresistible, Marry Me Chicken Pasta is the kind of dish that tastes like love at first bite. Imagine tender chicken breasts seared to golden perfection, smothered in a rich, garlic-scented sun-dried tomato cream sauce, and tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. Each forkful is silky, smoky, and slightly tangy, making this dish a standout for romantic dinners or cozy weeknight meals. With bold flavors and a luxuriously creamy finish, it is easy to see where this recipe gets its name — it might just inspire a proposal at the dinner table.

This dish delivers restaurant-level indulgence with effortless execution in the comfort of your own kitchen. The sun-dried tomatoes add a burst of umami and sweetness, while the fresh herbs and parmesan bring everything together with harmony. It’s the perfect balance of familiar comfort and special-occasion flair — like a warm hug wrapped in velvet ribbon. Serve it with a glass of white wine and a side of garlic bread, and you have the perfect setting for a meal that leaves a lasting impression.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Marry Me Chicken Pasta is both simple to make and bursting with flavor. It comes together in about 45 minutes, making it ideal for a weeknight dinner yet elegant enough for guests. The ingredients are pantry staples you likely have on hand, and the recipe is flexible for customization based on your preferences or dietary needs.

Whether you are cooking for a loved one or just want to treat yourself to something decadent, this pasta delivers. Creamy without being too heavy, and hearty without weighing you down, it is a one-pan wonder that manages to be comforting and impressive all at once.

Serving and Storage Tips

Leftover Marry Me Chicken Pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, add a splash of heavy cream or chicken broth and warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through. This will help loosen the sauce and keep it creamy.

While this dish is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze it if needed. Let it cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. For meal prep, you can cook the chicken and sauce ahead of time, then boil the pasta when you are ready to serve for maximum freshness and texture.

Course, Cuisine, Keywords

Dinner, American, Italian-inspired, creamy chicken, pasta, comfort food, weeknight dinner, romantic meal

Servings, Prep Time, Cook Time, Total Time, Serving Size

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Serving Size: 1 generous bowl

Ingredients

2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic minced
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes in oil
12 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
Fresh basil for garnish

Equipment

Large skillet
Saucepan
Tongs
Wooden spoon
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Chef’s knife
Cutting board
Grater

For extra flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan and do not skip the lemon zest. Leftovers keep well for 2 days in the fridge.

FAQ

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Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Creamy, savory, and utterly irresistible, Marry Me Chicken Pasta features golden-seared chicken breasts coated in a rich sun-dried tomato garlic cream sauce and tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. It’s a showstopping dish for romantic dinners or cozy weeknight meals.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian-inspired

Servings 4 servings

Calories 650 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes in oil
• 12 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
• Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

 

• Season chicken breasts on both sides with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Add chicken breasts and sear for 5–6 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
• Reduce heat to medium in the same skillet. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Pour in chicken broth, stirring and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
• Add heavy cream, dried thyme, crushed red pepper flakes, grated parmesan cheese, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer. Simmer for 5–6 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
• Slice the cooked chicken into strips and return to the skillet, tossing to coat in the creamy sauce.
• Add cooked pasta to the skillet and use tongs to gently toss everything together until evenly coated in sauce.
• Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil and extra parmesan if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 38gFat: 34gSodium: 890mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6g

Keyword Marry Me Chicken Pasta, creamy chicken, sun-dried tomato pasta, comfort food, romantic meal, weeknight dinner

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