Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

I absolutely love how this Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe comes together – creamy, comforting, and packed with so much flavor that it truly feels like a special occasion meal. When I first tried this recipe, I was blown away by how simple ingredients could create such a rich, restaurant-quality dish right at home. It s perfect for a weeknight dinner when you want something impressive without too much fuss.

You ll find that this recipe strikes the perfect balance between easy and indulgent, making it a go-to for busy evenings or cozy weekends. The combination of tender chicken, parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and fragrant basil is unbeatable – honestly, my family goes crazy for it every time I make it!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients in the Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe work beautifully together to create a creamy, flavorful sauce that clings to every bite of pasta. When shopping, look for good-quality sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for extra richness, and fresh basil to brighten the dish at the end.

• Dried pasta: I usually reach for penne or rigatoni to hold the sauce, but feel free to use your favorite shape.
• Olive oil: Adds a subtle fruity base, plus helps soften the onions perfectly.
• Onion: Finely chopped for even cooking and gentle sweetness in the sauce.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives that classic Italian aroma that wakes up the whole recipe.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps marry the flavors of garlic and chicken.
• Chicken breasts: Cut into bite-sized pieces to cook quickly and distribute evenly throughout the pasta.
• Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt, pepper: These spices build layers of flavor – don t skip or cut back drastically!
• Heavy cream: The secret to that luscious, silky sauce you ll want to savor.
• Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated if possible, for the best melt and umami boost.
• Sun-dried tomatoes: Chopped fine to add tangy sweetness and depth to the sauce.
• Basil leaves: Fresh, chopped basil as a finishing touch for brightness and color.

Variations

I love to make the Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe my own depending on what ingredients I have on hand or what my mood is. Don t hesitate to get creative with it – you might discover your new favorite twist!

• Vegetable boost: I often add spinach or mushrooms for extra nutrients and texture without changing the core flavors.
• Spice it up: If you like heat, I bump up the red pepper flakes or add a dash of chili powder – it really livens things up.
• Dairy-free: Swap heavy cream for coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan for a creamy vegan-friendly option.
• Pasta swap: Gluten-free or whole grain pasta works well-just adjust cooking time accordingly.

How to Make Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Cook Pasta to Perfect Al Dente

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add your pasta and cook until al dente-usually about a minute less than package instructions recommend. The texture makes a huge difference here, so don t overcook. Before draining, be sure to reserve about half a cup of that flavorful pasta water to add back into the sauce – it s a little trick I discovered that helps everything bind together seamlessly.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a heavy-duty pan over medium-high heat. Toss in the finely chopped onions and sauté for about 2 to 3 minutes until they soften and start to look translucent. Then, add in the minced garlic and butter – cook together for just 30 seconds to release their incredible aroma without burning the garlic.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken with Spices

Add your bite-sized chicken pieces to the pan along with all the seasoning: Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes until the chicken browns evenly and cooks through. I like to keep the heat on the medium-high side here to get a nice sear without overcooking the chicken. Make sure to stir occasionally for even cooking.

Step 4: Simmer the Creamy Sauce

Pour in the heavy cream, reserved pasta water, parmesan cheese, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Bring everything to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and the cheese melts into a silky consistency. Don t rush this part – stirring frequently helps prevent scorching and ensures all flavors meld together beautifully. Taste and adjust salt if needed – sometimes the parmesan brings enough saltiness.

Step 5: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Finally, add the drained pasta into the pan and toss everything together so every piece is luxuriously coated in that creamy sauce. If it looks a little thick, add a splash more pasta water until you reach your desired consistency. Garnish with fresh chopped basil leaves for a pop of color and fresh flavor, then serve immediately while it s warm and comforting.

How to Serve Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

Garnishes

I personally love topping this pasta with fresh basil leaves-they give a wonderful brightness that cuts through the richness of the sauce. Sometimes I also sprinkle a little extra parmesan or cracked black pepper on top just before serving for extra flavor and a lovely presentation.

Side Dishes

It pairs beautifully with a simple green salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette, or some roasted asparagus for a touch of crunch. Garlic bread makes a perfect accompaniment too – you can never go wrong with soaking up every drop of that creamy sauce!

Creative Ways to Present

For a special dinner, I love serving this pasta in wide shallow bowls with a sprinkle of fresh basil and a drizzle of high-quality olive oil. Adding a few sun-dried tomato halves as garnish gives a rustic, inviting look. You can also plate it alongside a small wedge of lemon for guests to squeeze on if they want a bright, fresh kick.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce sometimes thickens as it cools, so before reheating, I add a splash of milk or pasta water to loosen it back up. This keeps the pasta nice and creamy without drying out.

Freezing

While I prefer fresh, you can freeze the fully cooked Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. I recommend freezing without the fresh basil garnish and adding it fresh after reheating. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the pasta gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding reserved pasta water or milk to revive the creamy texture. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and keep the chicken from drying out. Microwave works too, but I find the skillet method helps preserve the sauce s silky consistency better.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe has become one of those dishes I turn to when I want to impress with very little stress in the kitchen. It s creamy, flavorful, and hits all the right comfort food notes, which makes it perfect for both busy weeknights and special dinners. I can t recommend it enough – once you try it, you might just find yourself marrying this recipe forever like I did!

Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

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• Author: Mia
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-American

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Description

Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken pieces cooked with Italian seasoning, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese, all tossed with perfectly al dente pasta. This quick and comforting meal is garnished with fresh basil for a fresh touch, ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 8 oz dried pasta of choice (half standard box)

Chicken & Sauce

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 pound chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

Garnish

• Basil leaves, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Cook Pasta: Place a large pot of salted water on medium-high heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
2. Sauté Onions: While pasta is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large heavy-duty pan over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
3. Add Garlic and Chicken: Add the minced garlic and butter to the pan, sauté for 30 seconds. Then add the chicken pieces along with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until the chicken is browned and fully cooked through.
4. Create the Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream, reserved pasta water, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Taste and adjust salt if necessary.
5. Toss Pasta and Garnish: Add the drained pasta to the pan, tossing thoroughly to combine with the sauce and chicken. Garnish with fresh chopped basil leaves. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

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Notes

• Reserve pasta water to help loosen the sauce and enhance its creaminess.
• Use chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces for quicker cooking and better sauce coverage.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred level of spiciness.
• Fresh basil garnish adds brightness and freshness to the rich dish.
• Parmesan cheese can be substituted with Pecorino Romano for a sharper flavor.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 480
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 480mg
• Fat: 26g
• Saturated Fat: 13g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 32g
• Cholesterol: 110mg