There is nothing quite as comforting and delicious as Marry Me Chicken Pasta, a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful meal that brings tender chicken and perfectly cooked penne pasta together in a rich, garlicky sauce. Layered with sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, and spiced with Italian herbs, this dish is hearty enough for a dinner party yet easy enough for a weeknight meal.
You will love how elegantly simple this recipe is, blending luxurious cream and Parmesan cheese with tender chicken and pasta for a meal that feels decadent without fuss. The fragrant dried herbs and fresh basil garnish bring all the components into a harmonious, mouthwatering dish.
The Ingredients
For The Chicken Pasta
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 10 ounces penne pasta
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For The Sauce
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- Fresh basil, for garnish
How to Create Your Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Step 1: Cook Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Step 3: Cook the Sauce Base
In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Whisk in flour to make a roux, cooking 1–2 minutes until lightly golden.
Step 4: Add Liquids and Seasonings
Slowly whisk in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add paprika, dried Italian seasoning, and sun-dried tomatoes. Simmer for 4–5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
Step 5: Finish the Dish
Return cooked chicken to the skillet along with the drained pasta. Toss gently to combine and heat through. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is creamy.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Serve immediately garnished with fresh chopped basil and extra Parmesan if desired.
My Best Tips for Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Evenly Cut Chicken Pieces
Cutting chicken into uniform pieces ensures even cooking.
Use Quality Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Choose sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for best flavor and texture.
Use Freshly Grated Parmesan
Freshly grated cheese melts better and provides richer flavor than pre-grated.
Simmer Sauce Gently
Avoid boiling heavy cream to prevent curdling; keep it at a gentle simmer.
Reserve Pasta Water
If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen.
Delicious Variations to Try
Add Mushrooms
Sauté mushrooms with garlic in Step 3 for enhanced umami flavor.
Swap Penne for Other Pasta
Fettuccine, rigatoni, or bowtie pasta also work beautifully.
Use Spinach or Kale
Stir fresh greens into the sauce near the end to add color and nutrition.
Spice It Up
Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
Use Half-and-Half
For a lighter sauce, replace heavy cream with half-and-half.
If you liked this recipe, you’ll love this Chicken Alfredo Pasta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, prepare chicken and sauce in advance and reheat gently before serving with freshly cooked pasta.
What noodles work best?
Sturdy pastas like penne hold sauce well, but any shape you like will work.
How do I thicken the sauce?
Use a roux of butter and flour as called for or add a cornstarch slurry if needed.
Can I freeze Marry Me Chicken Pasta?
Freeze sauce and chicken separately from pasta for best results.
Can I use chicken thighs instead?
Yes, boneless skinless thighs are juicier and flavorful.
Is this dish gluten-free?
Substitute gluten-free pasta and use gluten-free flour for roux if necessary.
Print
Marry Me Chicken Pasta
- Total Time: 40
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A rich, creamy meal pairing tender chicken with penne pasta in luscious garlic-Parmesan sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, Italian herbs, and fresh basil.
Ingredients
Chicken & Pasta
1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
10 oz penne pasta
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
Creamy Sauce
3 tbsp butter
2 tsp garlic, minced
3 tbsp flour
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and sliced
1 tsp paprika
2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
Garnish
Fresh basil, chopped
Extra Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Cook pasta: Boil salted water, cook penne until al dente. Drain.
Sear chicken: Season with salt and pepper, heat olive oil, sauté chicken 6–8 minutes until browned.
Make sauce base: Melt butter, sauté garlic 1 min, whisk in flour to roux.
Add liquids & spices: Whisk in broth and cream, stir in paprika, Italian seasoning, sun-dried tomatoes. Simmer 4–5 min.
Combine: Add chicken and pasta to skillet, stir in Parmesan until creamy.
Serve: Garnish with basil and extra Parmesan.
Notes
Cut chicken evenly.
Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil.
Keep sauce at gentle simmer.
Add pasta water to thin sauce if needed.
Store leftovers refrigerated up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American / Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 610 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 195 mg
Keywords: marry me chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, garlic parmesan chicken, sun dried tomato pasta, italian chicken noodle recipe
