The Juiciest Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe for Love-Struck Nights

Exploring culinary romance, this marry me chicken pasta strikes a delightful balance between comfort and excitement.

Creamy sauce cascades over tender chicken, creating an irresistible melody of flavors.

Simple ingredients come together with surprising elegance in this weeknight showstopper.

Parmesan cheese adds a luxurious depth that makes every bite memorable.

Home kitchens transform into gourmet spaces with minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

Such an enchanting dish promises to impress without complicated techniques or hours of preparation.

You’ll want to savor each forkful and share this passionate plate with someone special.

FAQs

• What makes this chicken pasta different from other pasta dishes?

This recipe combines creamy sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and perfectly seasoned chicken for a restaurant-quality meal that’s easy to make at home.

• Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken pieces?

Yes, chicken breast works great. Just cut it into bite-sized pieces and follow the same cooking instructions for even browning.

• Is this dish spicy?

The recipe has a mild heat from red pepper flakes, but you can adjust the amount or omit them completely for a less spicy version.

• Do I need any special cooking skills to make this pasta?

Not at all! This recipe is beginner-friendly and requires basic cooking techniques like sautéing and simmering. Anyone can make this delicious dish with simple steps.

Marry Me Chicken Pasta for Special Suppers

• Whip Up a Crowd-Pleaser: This dish brings restaurant-quality flavors right to your home kitchen with minimal effort.
• Create a One-Pot Wonder: Streamline your cooking process by preparing everything in a single skillet, reducing cleanup and saving precious time.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or adjust spice levels to match your family's taste preferences, making this recipe incredibly flexible and adaptable.
• Impress Without Stress: Looks and tastes gourmet, but requires basic cooking skills that even beginner chefs can master confidently.

Ingredient List for Marry Me Chicken Pasta Fans

• Pasta: A classic base that provides hearty texture and substance to the dish.
• Chicken: Protein-rich meat that serves as the primary protein source for the recipe.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a rich and luxurious sauce for the pasta.

• Italian Seasoning, Smoked Paprika, Red Pepper Flakes, Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper: Aromatic spices that enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish.

• Onions, Garlic: Foundational aromatics that provide depth and complexity to the sauce.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Adds a tangy and concentrated tomato flavor to the pasta.
• Parmesan Cheese: Provides a salty and nutty dimension to the sauce.
• Olive Oil, Butter: Fats that help create a smooth and rich cooking base.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: Bright herb that offers a fresh finishing touch to the dish.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Creamy Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Boil Pasta

Cook pasta in salted water until it reaches al dente perfection.

Set aside a small amount of pasta water, then drain the pasta completely.

Step 2: Warm Up the Pan

Pour olive oil into a skillet and heat it over medium-high temperature until it shimmers with potential.

Step 3: Create Flavor Base

Sauté onions until they become soft and translucent.

Add minced garlic and butter, letting the aromatics dance and release their incredible fragrance for about 30 seconds.

Step 4: Cook Chicken Beautifully

Introduce chicken pieces to the pan.

• Italian seasoning
• Smoked paprika
• Red pepper flakes
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Cook the chicken until it develops a gorgeous golden-brown exterior, about 3-5 minutes.

Step 5: Build Creamy Sauce

Pour in heavy cream and combine with reserved pasta water and Parmesan cheese.

Let the sauce simmer and thicken, creating a luxurious coating that will make taste buds sing.

Step 6: Add Sun-Dried Tomato Surprise

Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes, bringing a burst of tangy brightness to the dish.

Step 7: Marry Pasta with Sauce

Gently toss the cooked pasta into the sauce, ensuring every single strand gets a loving embrace of creamy goodness.

Step 8: Final Flourish

Scatter fresh basil leaves over the top, creating a vibrant green contrast.

Serve the pasta piping hot, ready to win hearts and spark romance.

Chicken Pasta Tips for Creamy, Flavorful Results

• Reserve cooking water to help create a silky, smooth sauce that clings perfectly to your pasta.
• Mix spices beforehand for even distribution and maximum flavor in every bite.
• Simmer gently to prevent cream from separating and maintain a luxurious, velvety texture.
• Chop sun-dried tomatoes finely to distribute intense flavor throughout the dish.
• Add basil leaves just before serving to preserve their bright, aromatic qualities and add a pop of color.

Different Styles for Marry Me Chicken Pasta

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a vegan-friendly version.
• Low-Carb Champion: Swap pasta with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash to reduce carbohydrate intake while maintaining flavor.
• Spicy Seafood Switch: Substitute chicken with shrimp or scallops for a protein-packed marine alternative that adds oceanic richness.
• Mediterranean Medley: Include kalamata olives, swap sun-dried tomatoes for fresh cherry tomatoes, and sprinkle feta cheese for a Greek-inspired transformation.

Pasta Serving Ideas for Marry Me Chicken Lovers

• Romantic Date Night Delight: Pair this creamy chicken pasta with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio to elevate the dining experience.
• Balanced Meal Companion: Serve alongside a fresh arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to add a light, zesty contrast to the rich pasta.
• Comfort Food Upgrade: Top with extra crispy bacon bits or toasted pine nuts for added crunch and depth of flavor that complements the creamy sauce.
• Leftover Magic: Transform remaining pasta into a cold pasta salad by chilling and mixing with extra fresh herbs and a splash of olive oil for a quick lunch option.

Marry Me Chicken Pasta Storage for Weeknight Leftovers

• Store leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, preventing moisture and odors from affecting the dish's quality.
• Transfer pasta to a freezer-safe container, seal tightly, and freeze for maximum 2 months; separate sauce and pasta if possible to maintain better texture.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few tablespoons of water or extra cream, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.
• Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or pasta water to restore moisture and prevent sticking, stirring gently until heated through.

Savory Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent marry me chicken pasta blends Italian-inspired flavors with creamy, irresistible charm. Rich parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and tender chicken create a romantic meal that promises to enchant your dinner companion.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 lb chicken breasts (cut into bite-size pieces)

Pasta and Base Ingredients:

• 8 oz (226 g) dried pasta (your choice)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 3–4 cloves garlic, minced

Seasonings and Extras:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 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 black pepper
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
• Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the pasta in generously salted water, cooking until perfectly tender. Set aside 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid, then carefully drain the pasta.
2. Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, creating an ideal cooking surface for the upcoming flavors.
3. Gently transform onions into a translucent, soft state over 2-3 minutes. Introduce minced garlic and butter, allowing aromatics to release their fragrant essence for about 30 seconds.
4. Introduce seasoned chicken pieces, coating thoroughly with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Sear for 3-5 minutes until developing a rich, golden-brown exterior.
5. Create a luxurious sauce by incorporating heavy cream, reserved pasta water, and Parmesan cheese. Allow the mixture to gently simmer, reducing and thickening for 3-4 minutes.
6. Fold in sun-dried tomatoes, distributing them evenly throughout the creamy sauce to enhance the dish’s depth of flavor.
7. Merge the cooked pasta with the sauce, ensuring each strand is completely enveloped in the rich, creamy mixture.
8. Elevate the presentation by scattering fresh basil leaves across the top, then serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Always reserve some starchy pasta water to help create a silky, clingy sauce that perfectly coats each noodle.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure a golden-brown, crispy exterior that locks in juicy flavor.
• Keep the heat low when adding cream to prevent separation and maintain a smooth, velvety texture.
• Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version, or use gluten-free pasta for a celiac-friendly meal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 481 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 375 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 38 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg