This marry me chicken pasta recipe lives up to the hype and then some. Creamy, rich sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan, ready in just 30 minutes in one pot. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want restaurant-quality meal prep that your family will love.
Weeknight dinners don’t have to be stressful. This marry me chicken pasta solves the problem with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor. It builds on the flavors of the original marry me chicken, turning that creamy skillet favorite into a full one-pot meal. Like our popular creamy spinach artichoke dip, it delivers comfort food without the hassle.
I tested this marry me chicken pasta recipe on my husband and kids last Tuesday. Plates were scraped clean in under 10 minutes. My 8-year-old asked for seconds and wanted it again this weekend – high praise from a picky eater!
One pot, simple ingredients, 30 minutes total. Perfect alongside our high-protein queso dip for game night. Let’s make this viral favorite together.
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Is Called “Marry Me Chicken Pasta”
The original Marry Me Chicken was created in 2016 by Delish editor Lindsay Funston. She made skillet chicken with sun-dried tomatoes and cream. Her colleague tasted it and said, “I’d marry you for that chicken!” The name stuck and went viral.
Home cooks adapted it into this marry me chicken pasta recipe that’s even easier. Over time, the same flavors inspired baked and family-style versions too, like this marry me chicken casserole. TikTok exploded the pasta version in 2023, and now it’s among the most searched dinner recipes online. The pasta soaks up every bit of that creamy, garlicky sauce – impossible to stop at one serving. Pairs perfectly with our buffalo chicken dip.
What Makes This Marry Me Chicken Pasta So Good
This marry me chicken pasta recipe balances rich, creamy sauce with bright sun-dried tomatoes and tender chicken.
One Pot Means Less Cleanup
Cook pasta, chicken, and sauce in the same pot. No separate boiling needed. Like our easy cheese ball recipes, it minimizes dishes while maximizing flavor.
Restaurant Flavor at Home
Heavy cream, Parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes create Italian restaurant sauce. Quality Parmesan is key for perfect coating, just like in our holiday cheese recipes.
Family-Friendly and Kid-Approved
My kids skipped the tomatoes but devoured this marry me chicken pasta. Creamy sauce mellows flavors. Perfect picky eater win, alongside our high protein cookie dough bites.
Ingredients for Marry Me Chicken Pasta
You need simple ingredients for this marry me chicken pasta recipe. Everything comes together fast for weeknight dinners.
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 10 oz penne pasta (or any short pasta like rigatoni or fusilli)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated works best)
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained and chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Ingredient Substitutions
| INGREDIENT | SUBSTITUTION |
|---|---|
| Heavy cream | Half-and-half or cottage cheese (lighter version) |
| Parmesan cheese | Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano |
| Penne pasta | Rigatoni, fusilli, or bowtie pasta |
| Chicken breasts | Chicken thighs (more flavorful and tender) |
For healthier marry me chicken pasta, use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream and add spinach. Swap regular pasta for chickpea pasta in our high protein recipes collection.
How to Make Marry Me Chicken Pasta (Step-by-Step)
This marry me chicken pasta recipe comes together in four easy steps with minimal hands-on time.
Step 1 – Cook the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and paprika. Add chicken to the hot pan and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate.
Don’t worry if the chicken isn’t perfectly browned on all sides. It will finish cooking later when you add it back to the creamy sauce.
Step 2 – Build the Sauce
In the same pan, add a little more olive oil if needed and toss in minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, but don’t let it burn. Add sun-dried tomatoes and Italian seasoning, stirring everything together.
Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping up any brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Those bits add tons of flavor to your marry me chicken pasta. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Step 3 – Add the Pasta and Cook
Add uncooked pasta directly to the sauce. Make sure pasta is mostly submerged. Cover the pan with a lid and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking.
The pasta absorbs the liquid and cooks right in the sauce, making it extra flavorful. If sauce gets too thick before pasta is done, add a splash of chicken broth or water.
Step 4 – Finish with Chicken and Cheese
Once pasta is tender, add cooked chicken back to the pan along with grated Parmesan cheese. Stir everything together until cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy and glossy.
Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh basil and serve immediately. This marry me chicken pasta is perfect fresh and hot from the stove.
💡 Pro Tips:
- If your sauce is too thick, add pasta water or broth to thin it out
- If it’s too thin, let it simmer uncovered for 2-3 minutes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce (pre-shredded doesn’t melt as well)
Storage and Meal Prep Tips
Your marry me chicken pasta leftovers store beautifully for easy weeknight meals.
Refrigerator Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The sauce may thicken as it sits, so when you reheat, add a splash of chicken broth or milk to loosen it up. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
Freezer Storage
Freeze for up to 3 months, but cream sauces can separate when thawed. Cool completely before freezing and reheat gently on the stovetop, stirring frequently. Perfect for busy weeks like our high protein meal prep breakfast bowls.
Meal Prep Tips
Double the recipe and portion into individual containers. Reheats beautifully for lunches. Prep ingredients ahead and cook fresh, or make complete batches. Add a side of our cottage cheese queso dip for variety.
Variations and Add-Ins
This marry me chicken pasta recipe is super flexible. Customize to fit your taste or dietary needs.
- Add vegetables: Stir in baby spinach, kale, or roasted red peppers at the end for extra nutrients and color. Pairs well with our spinach artichoke dip.
- Make it spicy: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- Different proteins: Swap chicken for shrimp, Italian sausage, or tofu for vegetarian. Try with our buffalo chicken dip flavors.
- Different formats: Turn these same flavors into a baked dinner by making a marry me chicken casserole when you want something oven-ready and family-style.
- Lighten it up: Use half-and-half or cottage cheese instead of heavy cream. Add extra veggies to bulk up without calories.
- Dairy-free: Coconut cream and nutritional yeast instead of cream and Parmesan (flavor differs slightly).
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
Here’s an estimate for one serving of marry me chicken pasta (recipe makes 4-6 servings). Values based on USDA Nutrition Database.
| NUTRIENT | AMOUNT PER SERVING |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~520 kcal |
| Protein | 32g |
| Carbohydrates | 45g |
| Fat | 22g |
| Saturated Fat | 11g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sodium | 680mg |
This rich meal is indulgent, higher in calories and fat. Lighten your marry me chicken pasta recipe using Greek yogurt instead of cream or serve smaller portions with salad. Great for balanced meals like our high protein dessert bites.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes! Penne, rigatoni, fusilli, or farfalle all work great in this marry me chicken pasta recipe. Use short pasta shapes so they cook evenly in the sauce.
Why is it called marry me chicken pasta?
The original Marry Me Chicken was created in 2016 by Delish editor Lindsay Funston. A colleague said they’d marry her for that chicken. The pasta version became equally popular.
Can I make marry me chicken pasta ahead of time?
Prep chicken and ingredients ahead, but cook pasta fresh. Cream sauces break down when reheated multiple times. See our meal prep breakfast bowls for more make-ahead tips.
How do I store marry me chicken pasta leftovers?
Store in airtight container in fridge up to 4 days. Reheat gently on stovetop, adding broth or milk to loosen thickened sauce. Microwave works too (30-second intervals, stirring between).
Can I freeze marry me chicken pasta?
Yes, up to 3 months, but cream sauces may separate. Cool completely before freezing. Reheat slowly on stovetop, stirring frequently to recombine the sauce.
What can I serve with marry me chicken pasta?
Complete meal on its own, but try garlic bread, green salad, or roasted vegetables. Pairs well with our spinach artichoke dip for gatherings.
Can I make marry me chicken pasta without heavy cream?
Yes! Half-and-half, Greek yogurt, or coconut cream for dairy-free. Texture differs slightly but still delicious. See our cottage cheese recipes.
Is this marry me chicken pasta kid-friendly?
Absolutely. My kids devoured it. Creamy sauce appeals to picky eaters. Reduce garlic or skip sun-dried tomatoes if needed. Try alongside our peanut butter cookie dough bites.
Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Equipment
- large skillet or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon
- measuring cups and spoons
- Knife and cutting board
- grater (for Parmesan)
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 10 oz penne pasta (or any short pasta like rigatoni or fusilli)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated works best)
- 0.5 cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained and chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 0.5 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. Sauté for 6–8 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, sauté garlic in olive oil until fragrant. Add sun-dried tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Simmer while scraping browned bits for flavor.
- Add uncooked pasta to the sauce. Cover and cook 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender. Add more broth if sauce thickens too quickly.
- Return chicken to the pan and stir in Parmesan cheese. Mix until sauce is creamy and chicken is heated through. Adjust seasoning if needed and garnish with fresh basil.
Notes
Nutrition
(Nutrition is estimated and will vary based on actual ingredients used)
Bottom Line
If you love these flavors, start with the original marry me chicken, make this creamy pasta version for weeknights, and save the marry me chicken casserole for cozy oven dinners. It’s the same comfort, just cooked three different ways.
This marry me chicken pasta recipe delivers everything you want in a weeknight dinner. Quick, easy, restaurant-quality taste from one pot. Minimal cleanup, maximum flavor – your family will request it again and again.
Perfect for busy evenings alongside our easy cheese ball appetizers. Save this marry me chicken pasta for your next dinner rotation. Don’t forget to share how it turned out in the comments below!
Want more creamy pasta recipes? Check out our complete recipe collection for weeknight winners.
