Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a combination of tender pasta and juicy chicken pieces that are smothered in a creamy garlic sundried tomato sauce. This 30 Minute Pasta is Quick, easy and SO good and will have everyone running to the dinner table!
A few months ago I shared my Marry Me Chicken Recipe and it went viral on Tiktok so today I’m sharing my Marry Me Chicken Pasta! One bite of this Marry Me Chicken Pasta and you will be in heaven. There’s just something so incredible about your favorite pasta joined with pan-seared chicken pieces in a flavorful sauce with plenty of cheese and sun-dried tomatoes. The sauce in this recipe could not be more of a hit! It’s perfectly rich and creamy, and the addition of the sun-dried tomatoes really takes it to the next level. This dish is bound to be a family favorite!
Not only is this dish loaded with amazing flavor, it also comes together with very little effort in no time! While the pasta boils, you can sauté the onion and garlic and cook the chicken. Then, simply add the cream, Parmesan cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, and toss it with the pasta. So easy, yet it tastes like something you’d order in a fancy restaurant!
Ingredients needed
This Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe is made with super simple ingredients and pantry staple spices. Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Pasta: Choose any pasta you’d like! We like to use a noodle that will trap the sauce inside like penne, ziti or rigatoni.
- Onion and garlic: Gives the dish major savory flavor.
- Chicken breasts: This recipe uses 1 pound of chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces. This recipe also works with salmon!
- Seasonings: A blend of Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt and pepper provides this dish with so much wonderful bold flavor.
- Heavy cream: Makes the sauce deliciously rich and creamy.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds to the richness of the sauce and gives it sharp, cheesy flavor.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: This is a signature ingredient in ‘Marry Me’ recipes that offers tangy, delightful flavor. You can use the chopped or paste.
- You will also need oil, butter, and basil leaves for extra color and a gorgeous presentation.
How to make this recipe
This satisfying, crowd-pleasing meal is ready to serve in less than 30 minutes! Quick, easy and SO good! You’re going to want to add this to your regular dinner rotation! Here’s how everything comes together:
- Boil the pasta: Place a large pot of salted water on medium-high heat, add pasta, and cook until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- Sauté onion: While the pasta is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large heavy-duty pan over medium-high. Add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes or until softened.
- Sauté garlic and chicken: Add the garlic and butter and sauté for 30 seconds, then add the chicken and seasoning. Sauté for 3-5 minutes or until chicken pieces are browned and cooked through.
- Make the sauce: Stir in the heavy cream, reserved pasta water, parmesan cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes. Taste and adjust salt to taste.
- Serve: Toss the cooked pasta into the pan and stir to combine. Garnish with fresh chopped basil if desired. Enjoy immediately.
Expert tips
This chicken and pasta recipe is really straightforward to make, but here are some tips so it’s perfect every time you make it!
- Chicken size: It’s best if all of the pieces of chicken are similar in size. This will help them cook evenly and at the same rate.
- Chicken doneness: To ensure your chicken is fully cooked, it’s best to use a meat thermometer. Chicken is done cooking when it reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Freshly-grated cheese: If you have the time, grate your own Parmesan. It will melt better into the sauce and have a more delicious taste.
Frequently asked questions
What is Marry Me Chicken Pasta?
Marry me chicken pasta sounds like a silly name, but with just one bite, you’ll know exactly why it is called this. The taste is so ridiculously amazing, you’ll want to marry anyone who makes it for you! It’s most often made with chicken breasts and pasta that are simmered in a creamy, cheesy sauce that includes sun-dried tomatoes.
What to serve with marry me chicken pasta?
Marry me chicken pasta is plenty satisfying on its own but we love to enjoy some crusty garlic bread served alongside of it for sopping up all of that lovely sauce. It would also be great paired with a side salad or a green veggie like roasted broccoli.
How long does it take for chicken to cook in a pan?
Since the chicken breasts in this recipe are cut into bite-sized pieces it will cook very quickly over medium-high heat. It should be fully cooked in less than 5 minutes!
Storing recommendations
Even though this dish is best served hot off the stove, it makes great leftovers, too!
- Store in the refrigerator: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store for up to 4 days.
- To reheat: You can reheat portions in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Add a splash of cream, broth or even water, if needed for extra moisture.
More easy Chicken Pasta recipes
- Creamy Garlic Chicken
- 15 Minute Chicken Pasta
- Chicken Pesto Pasta
- Chicken Fajita Pasta
- 4 Ingredient Chicken Pasta
Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 oz dried pasta of choice, half standard box
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup onion, finely chopped
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 pound chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- ½ teaspoon EACH Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt, pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Place a large pot of salted water on medium-high heat, add pasta, and cook until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large heavy-duty pan over medium-high. Add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes or until softened.
- Add the garlic and butter and sauté for 30 seconds, then add the chicken and seasoning. Sauté for 3-5 minutes or until chicken pieces are browned and cooked through.
- Stir in the heavy cream, reserved pasta water, parmesan cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes. Taste and adjust salt to taste.
- Toss the cooked pasta into the pan and stir to combine. Garnish with fresh chopped basil if desired. Serve immediately.
Equipment
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe by: Layla Atik // Gimme Delicious | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
Recipe was easy and delicious. The little one even asked for seconds!
Yay so happy to hear that! My little ones love this too 😀
Wow! Creamy and delicious!!
Made this for my family last week & they have been raving about it ever since!!! The only thing I changed was I used thighs, as I had them on hand. So easy & delicious. Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe!!
Has quickly become one of our favorite weeknight dinners!! So flavorful and creamy. 5 stars!
Yummy!!!!!!!!!! My family loves this!
Very yummy. Left out the garlic due to sensitivities and it was still well flavored. Only complaint is that there wasn’t enough sauce. Will double the sauce next time.
SO DELICIOUS. I used 1/2 cup chicken broth rather than pasta water, oregano instead of Italian seasoning and added thyme. It was so delicious! Only problem we had is that we didn’t have enough food as we wanted! Says 6 servings, there is three of us and not any leftovers
at all!
Hi, can you suggest any substitute for sun-dried tomatoes?
You can just use regular tomatoes, tomato paste, or leave them out all together.
SO Creamy and packed FULL of flavor! Thanks
I rarely comment, but I HAD to come on here to let everyone know that this recipe is legit and my entire family raved! So simple, I literally had it on the table in less than 15 mins from start to finish. I did not use raw chicken – I used frozen rotisserie chicken because I didn’t have raw on hand, but I think this really helped keep the prep time down. Be sure to have all the ingredients prepped and ready, it’s such a fast easy dinner, I will for sure be saving this!
Restaurant worthy dish!
This was spectacular. Tasted so expensive, like I was eating at a really good restaurant instead of on a tray in front of the tv. I followed the recipe exactly and did have to use the pasta water. At first I didn’t think I would need it but after it simmered a few minutes I added it. Yum!
This is definitely a keeper for sure! Super yummmmmmy!!
This is a go to recipe for me. I love the sauce and you have the choice to make it real cheesy. And you gotta have the bomb buttery but crunchy soft Parmesan garlic bread. Delicious!
This is a go to recipe for me. I love the sauce and you have the choice to make it real cheesy. And you gotta have the bomb buttery but crunchy soft Parmesan garlic bread.
My husband and kids request this constantly. So good.
Creamy and delicious!
Delicious!! It was my first time cooking it and very easy to cook!
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Nice, easy recipe. I subbed high protein penne and blended FF cottage cheese for the heavy whipping cream to save calories and increase the protein. Next time I would add some spinach or broccoli but overall a quick, decent meal
Absolutely delicious and creamy!
OMGG soooo goood!!!!!