Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

The Ultimate Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe for Love & Flavor

Creamy, indulgent chicken meets perfectly cooked pasta in this viral marry me chicken pasta recipe that promises to steal hearts.

This dish burst onto social media with its irresistible blend of sun-dried tomatoes, herbs, and rich cream sauce.

Tender chicken breasts bathe in a luscious mixture that makes every bite unforgettable.

The combination of parmesan, basil, and heavy cream creates a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate.

Simple ingredients come together to craft a meal so delectable, it might just spark a proposal.

Each forkful tells a story of comfort and culinary romance.

Prepare to fall in love with this show-stopping pasta that transforms an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary experience.

Serving Pasta for Special Dinners

  • Romantic Date Night Plating: Twirl the creamy pasta onto elegant white plates, garnishing with extra basil leaves and a sprinkle of parmesan for a restaurant-quality presentation that feels luxurious and intimate.
  • Comfort Meal Twist: Serve in deep bowls with crusty garlic bread on the side, perfect for cozy evenings when you want something hearty and satisfying that hugs your taste buds.
  • Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the rich, creamy sauce with a crisp white wine like pinot grigio or chardonnay, which balances the dish's bold sun-dried tomato and herb flavors beautifully.
  • Meal Prep Hack: Store leftovers in airtight containers, keeping pasta and sauce separately to maintain texture, then quickly reheat for a delicious lunch that tastes just as amazing the next day.

Storing Marry Me Chicken Pasta

  • Store leftover Marry Me Chicken Pasta in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to preserve flavors and prevent drying out.
  • Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or pasta water to restore sauce's creamy consistency. Stir frequently to prevent sticking or burning.
  • Can be frozen for 2-3 weeks. Place in freezer-safe container, leaving slight room for expansion. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
  • Reheat only once to maintain best texture and taste. Multiple reheating cycles can break down sauce and make pasta mushy.

FAQs

  • What ingredients make this dish stand out?

Sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and parmesan cheese create a rich, tangy flavor profile that elevates the classic chicken pasta.

  • Is this recipe suitable for beginners?

Yes, the recipe has straightforward steps and uses common ingredients, making it easy for home cooks with basic kitchen skills to prepare successfully.

  • Can I substitute any ingredients?

You can replace heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, and swap chicken breasts with chicken thighs for a slightly different taste and texture.

  • How spicy is this dish?

The recipe is mild with a creamy base. If you want heat, add red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper during sauce preparation.

Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe: Top Features

  • Quick Culinary Delight: Whip up this restaurant-worthy pasta in minimal steps, perfect for busy home cooks craving a gourmet meal without complex techniques.
  • Flavor Explosion: Packed with rich ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, cream, and parmesan, this dish delivers an incredible taste profile that will impress family and guests.
  • Versatile Meal Solution: Adaptable for weeknight dinners, date nights, or casual gatherings, the recipe works beautifully as a main course that satisfies diverse palates.
  • Comfort Food Upgrade: Transform classic pasta into a luxurious experience with creamy sauce and tender chicken, elevating a traditional comfort dish to something extraordinary.

Ingredient List for Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Pasta Base:
  • Pasta: A staple ingredient that serves as the foundation of this delicious dish.
Sauce Components:
  • Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create a smooth sauce base.
  • Flour: Helps thicken the sauce and create a creamy texture.
  • Garlic: Adds depth and aromatic flavor to the sauce.
  • Tomato Paste: Offers a concentrated tomato flavor and helps build the sauce's depth.
  • White Wine: Adds complexity and helps deglaze the pan.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious and creamy sauce texture.
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Brings intense, concentrated tomato flavor to the dish.
Protein and Seasonings:
  • Chicken: The main protein that makes the dish hearty and satisfying.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
  • Basil: Provides a fresh, herbal note to brighten the overall dish.
  • Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall flavor profile.
  • Pasta Water: Helps adjust the sauce consistency if needed.

Steps for Making Creamy Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Boil Pasta

Cook the pasta in a large pot of generously salted water until it reaches al dente perfection.

Follow the package instructions for precise cooking time, ensuring a perfect texture.

Step 2: Create Flavor Base

Melt butter in a large skillet and whisk in flour to create a smooth roux.

Add minced garlic, rich tomato paste, and a splash of white wine.

Let the mixture simmer gently for about a minute, allowing the flavors to meld together and intensify.

Step 3: Build Creamy Sauce

Introduce these ingredients to the skillet:
  • Heavy cream
  • Sun-dried tomatoes
  • Italian herbs
  • Dried red pepper flakes
  • Cooked chicken pieces

Simmer the sauce until it thickens beautifully and coats the back of a spoon, developing a luxurious consistency.

Step 4: Bring Everything Together

Fold in these final touches:
  • Freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • Chopped fresh basil leaves

Gently toss the cooked pasta into the sauce, using a bit of reserved pasta water to achieve the perfect sauce consistency.

The result is a creamy, dreamy pasta that’s sure to win hearts.

Tips for Saucy, Tender Chicken Pasta

  • Reserve pasta water and add a splash during mixing to help sauce coat noodles evenly and prevent sticking.
  • Toast flour slightly in butter before adding other ingredients to enhance the roux's nutty undertones and develop richer taste.
  • Select sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil for more intense, concentrated flavor compared to dried varieties.
  • Adjust sauce thickness by gradually adding pasta water, ensuring smooth, silky texture without becoming too runny.
  • Add fresh basil at the very end of cooking to preserve its bright, aromatic qualities and prevent wilting.

Flavor Variations for Marry Me Chicken

  • Gluten-Free Comfort: Replace wheat pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta, using cornstarch instead of flour for thickening the sauce.
  • Vegetarian Delight: Swap chicken with crispy tofu or plant-based chicken alternatives, maintaining the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce's rich flavor profile.
  • Low-Carb Option: Use cauliflower rice or spiralized vegetables instead of pasta, keeping the luxurious sauce and protein intact.
  • Dairy-Free Version: Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan cheese for a creamy, allergen-friendly adaptation.
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Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe


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4.6 from 11 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Succulent Marry Me Chicken Pasta promises a culinary romance that seduces taste buds with creamy parmesan and sun-dried tomato magic. Guaranteed to spark passion at first bite, you’ll fall head over heels for this irresistible Italian-inspired comfort dish.


Ingredients

Scale

Base:

  • 8 ounces (226 grams) uncooked pasta
  • 2 cups (480 grams) shredded rotisserie chicken

Sauce Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 tablespoon flour
  • 34 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1/3 cup dry white wine or broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Finishing Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan
  • Fresh basil, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare a large pot of generously salted water and cook pasta until al dente, following package instructions for precise timing.
  2. Create a flavor foundation by melting butter and whisking in flour to form a smooth roux, then introduce minced garlic, rich tomato paste, and fragrant wine, allowing the mixture to simmer and develop depth for approximately one minute.
  3. Gradually incorporate heavy cream into the sauce, then fold in sun-dried tomatoes and tender chicken pieces, seasoning with herbs and spices, and simmer until the sauce reaches a luxurious, velvety consistency.
  4. Remove the sauce from heat and generously fold in freshly grated parmesan cheese and delicate basil leaves, blending the flavors seamlessly.
  5. Drain the cooked pasta, reserving a small amount of starchy cooking water, and gently combine the pasta with the creamy sauce, using reserved water to adjust the sauce’s consistency if necessary, ensuring each pasta strand is perfectly coated.

Notes

  • Use high-quality sun-dried tomatoes for maximum flavor depth, preferably packed in olive oil for extra richness.
  • Adjust cream sauce consistency by reserving pasta water, which helps create silky, clingy texture without breaking the sauce.
  • Consider alternative protein options like grilled shrimp or plant-based chicken for dietary flexibility while maintaining recipe’s signature taste profile.
  • Toast flour briefly in butter before adding liquid ingredients to eliminate raw flour taste and enhance overall sauce complexity.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 610
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 34 g
  • Saturated Fat: 20 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 50 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 120 mg
Michael Reyes

Michael Reyes

Founder & Lead Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Southwestern and Latin American cuisine
  • Developing easy single-serving recipes
  • Food styling and food photography

Education

Santa Fe Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Practical, hands-on learning in essential kitchen skills, including food safety, hygiene, knife techniques, and kitchen organization.

Michael’s love for cooking runs deep, rooted in the bold, colorful flavors of his New Mexico upbringing.
After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from Santa Fe Community College, he spent years sharpening his skills in kitchens that celebrated traditional Southwestern and Latin American dishes.
He believes cooking should feel approachable and fun, never complicated. When he’s not stirring up new recipe ideas, Michael’s out hiking scenic trails, chatting with farmers at local markets, or chasing the perfect sunset shot for inspiration.

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