Marry Me Chicken Pasta has earned a reputation as a dish so delicious that it might just win over anyone’s heart! Known for its creamy, savory sauce with hints of sun-dried tomatoes and tender pieces of chicken, this pasta dish is a crowd-pleaser perfect for both romantic dinners and family gatherings. It’s luxurious, filling, and full of rich flavors that can make any meal special. Here’s everything you need to make this delightful pasta and ensure it turns out perfect every time.
Everything You’ll Need
For the Chicken Pasta:
- 1 pound (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounces (225g) penne or rigatoni pasta, cooked al dente
For the Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce
This sauce is the star of Marry Me Chicken Pasta! It combines cream, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan to create a rich, luxurious sauce that coats each piece of pasta.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ cup finely chopped onion
- 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a hint of heat)
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped, for garnish
How to Make Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Making Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a straightforward process that involves cooking the chicken, creating the sauce, and bringing everything together in one skillet for easy cleanup and ultimate flavor!
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Pasta
- Season the Chicken: Sprinkle the Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper over the chicken pieces, coating them evenly.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook until browned on the outside and fully cooked on the inside, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook the Pasta: In a separate pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta until al dente, following package instructions. Drain the pasta and reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water for later.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
- Sauté the Aromatics: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the butter. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, around 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add the Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, cooking for an additional minute to release their flavor into the sauce.
- Create the Creamy Base: Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring to combine with the tomatoes and garlic.
- Add the Cheese: Gradually stir in the Parmesan cheese, which will melt into the sauce and create a smooth, creamy texture. If the sauce becomes too thick, add the reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
- Season and Combine: Add salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, stirring to coat it in the sauce. Then, add the cooked pasta, tossing everything together until well combined and heated through.
- Garnish: Top with fresh basil for a vibrant, fresh finish.
Tips for Success
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic, Parmesan, and basil enhance the flavor significantly.
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Searing the chicken until it’s just cooked keeps it tender.
- Adjust the Sauce Consistency: Use pasta water sparingly to thin the sauce if it’s too thick. This also adds a bit of starch, helping the sauce cling to the pasta.
- Serve Immediately: Marry Me Chicken Pasta tastes best fresh from the skillet, so serve it hot for the ultimate creamy experience.
How to Store Marry Me Pasta
If you happen to have leftovers (a rare occurrence with this delicious dish), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of cream or milk to bring back the sauce’s creamy consistency. Heat on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through.
Ingredients
Chicken Pasta
- Chicken breasts
- Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper
- Olive oil
- Pasta (penne or rigatoni)
Sauce
- Butter
- Onion and garlic
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh basil (for garnish)
Instructions
Chicken Pasta
- Season and cook the chicken in a skillet until golden and set aside.
- Cook pasta al dente in salted water and reserve some pasta water.
Sauce
- Sauté onion and garlic in butter, then add sun-dried tomatoes.
- Pour in heavy cream, followed by Parmesan to make it creamy.
- Add cooked chicken and pasta, garnish with basil, and serve immediately.
Video
Conclusion
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a truly irresistible dish that brings restaurant-level flavors to your home kitchen. With creamy sun-dried tomato sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta, this recipe is one to keep for both special occasions and comforting weeknight meals. Follow these steps, and you’ll soon have a dish worthy of admiration! Enjoy your delicious Marry Me Chicken Pasta!