Introduction

Tasty Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a cozy dinner. Tender chicken pieces combine with a rich sun-dried tomato and Parmesan sauce, tossed with penne pasta for a satisfying meal everyone will love.

Tasty Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken (pounded to even thickness)
0.5 tsp salt
0.25 tsp pepper
10 oz penne pasta
1 cup drained sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed for best flavor)
3 tbsp butter (Kerrygold recommended for richness)
2 cups chicken broth
2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp paprika
1 cup heavy cream (room temperature)
3 tbsp flour
2 tsp minced garlic (fresh preferred)
fresh basil (torn just before serving)

Instructions

Step 1: Boil the penne pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside while you prepare the chicken and sauce.
Step 2: Cut the chicken into 1-inch bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 6–8 minutes until no longer pink and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
Step 3: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in flour to form a paste.
Step 4: Gradually whisk in chicken broth, then add heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until smooth.
Step 5: Stir in drained sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer a few minutes until it thickens.
Step 6: Add cooked chicken and drained pasta to the sauce. Stir everything together to coat well. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Step 7: Garnish with torn fresh basil leaves and, if desired, a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese just before serving.

Tips & Variations

Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for a richer flavor or rehydrate dry sun-dried tomatoes in warm water before using.
Swap penne for fusilli or rigatoni for a different pasta shape that holds sauce well.
For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle spicy kick.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of cream or broth to loosen the sauce if needed. Avoid microwaving at high heat to prevent the sauce from separating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work well and tend to stay juicier. Adjust cooking time as needed to ensure they are fully cooked.

Can I prepare the sauce in advance?

The sauce is best made fresh, but you can prepare it a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Reheat gently and stir well before combining with chicken and pasta.

Tasty Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 93 reviews

A rich and creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta featuring tender bite-sized chicken pieces, al dente penne pasta, and a luscious sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and Italian seasonings, all garnished with fresh basil for a vibrant finish.

Author: Dylan
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale

For the chicken:

1 tbsp olive oil
1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken (pounded to even thickness)
0.5 tsp salt
0.25 tsp pepper

For the pasta:

10 oz penne pasta

For the sauce:

1 cup drained sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed for best flavor)
3 tbsp butter (preferably Kerrygold)
2 cups chicken broth
2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp paprika
1 cup heavy cream (room temperature)
3 tbsp flour
2 tsp minced garlic (fresh preferred)

For the garnish:

Fresh basil (torn just before serving)

Instructions

Cook the pasta: Boil the penne pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside while you prepare the chicken and sauce.
Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken into 1-inch bite-sized pieces and season them with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook for 6–8 minutes until they are no longer pink and cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the flour to form a paste. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, then add the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until smooth. Stir in the drained sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until it thickens.
Combine pasta and chicken with sauce: Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta back into the skillet with the sauce. Stir everything together to coat well. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Garnish and serve: Garnish the finished dish with torn fresh basil leaves and, optionally, a sprinkle of additional Parmesan cheese just before serving for fresh flavor and color.

Notes

Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for best flavor and texture in the sauce.
Butter like Kerrygold adds richness but you can substitute with regular unsalted butter if preferred.
Pounding the chicken breast to even thickness ensures uniform cooking.
Fresh garlic is recommended for the best aroma but garlic powder can be used in a pinch.
Adjust the amount of heavy cream or chicken broth to get your preferred sauce consistency.
Adding fresh basil at the end gives a vibrant herbaceous finish to the dish.

Keywords: Marry Me Chicken, creamy chicken pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, Italian chicken recipe, easy chicken pasta dish