Marry Me Chicken Pasta

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Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Prep Time: 10–15 minutes
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: 30–40 minutes
Yield: Serves 4

Estimated Nutrition Facts (per serving, based on 4 servings)

Calories: 680–750
Protein: 36g
Fat: 40g
Saturated Fat: 20g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Sugar: 5g
Fiber: 3g
Sodium: 800–950mg
Cholesterol: 140mg

How To Make Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Various ingredients on a marble surface, including uncooked penne pasta, diced raw chicken, cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, grated cheese, milk, garlic, oil, seasonings, wine, and fresh basil.

Ingredients:

  • 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • Salt & pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup grated parmesan
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (in oil), chopped
  • 8 oz Penne pasta
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
A fork holds a serving of creamy rigatoni pasta with herbs and sun-dried tomatoes above a plate of the same dish.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Cook Pasta

Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente.

Reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain the rest.

Cooked penne pasta draining in a stainless steel colander over a marble countertop.

2. Sear Chicken

Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika.

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.

Add chicken and cook until browned and fully cooked.

Remove and set aside.

  • A white plate with raw diced chicken is being poured into a gray frying pan with oil on a marble countertop.
  • Raw diced chicken pieces in a gray frying pan on a white marble surface.
  • A frying pan with raw, diced chicken pieces. A hand holds a spoon with salt and red spices over the pan, with a bowl of more spices nearby.
  • A frying pan with raw, diced chicken pieces sprinkled with red seasoning, placed on a white marble countertop.
  • Cooked, seasoned pieces of chicken breast in a frying pan on a marble countertop.

3. Make Sauce

In the same pan, sauté garlic for 30 seconds.

Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes.

Stir in sun-dried tomatoes.

  • A bowl of minced garlic is held above a pan with oil on a marble countertop.
  • Minced garlic sautéing in a gray skillet, with a small bowl of spices including red pepper flakes, paprika, and dried herbs held above the pan.
  • Chopped sun-dried tomatoes being poured into a pan with minced garlic and dried herbs on a marble surface.
  • A frying pan contains chopped garlic and sun-dried tomatoes being sautéed on a marble countertop.
  • Chopped sun-dried tomatoes and garlic sautéing in a light-colored frying pan on a marble countertop.

4. Creamy Base

Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream.

Stir in cream cheese and parmesan until melted and smooth.

  • A glass bowl of white wine is being poured into a pan with chopped sun-dried tomatoes on a marble countertop.
  • A person pours milk from a glass measuring cup into a skillet containing chopped sun-dried tomatoes and oil on a marble countertop.
  • A saucepan with cream and spices on a marble surface, with a metal ladle pouring in a clear liquid, likely lemon juice.
  • A saucepan with cream, chili flakes, and spices being heated on a marble countertop.
  • A saucepan containing a creamy, speckled sauce sits on a marble countertop with a bunch of fresh basil nearby.
  • A skillet with a creamy, spiced sauce on a marble surface; a hand holds a bowl with a block of cream cheese above the skillet, ready to add it in.
  • A saucepan with a creamy orange sauce, chili oil, and a block of cream cheese placed in the center, on a marble countertop with basil leaves nearby.
  • A saucepan with a creamy, spiced sauce and a block of cream cheese; grated parmesan cheese is being added from a measuring cup.
  • A saucepan with an orange, creamy liquid, a block of cream cheese, and grated cheese on top sits on a marble countertop next to a small bunch of fresh basil.
  • A frying pan with creamy sauce sits on a marble surface next to a bowl of cooked, seasoned chicken pieces and a small vase of fresh basil.

5. Combine

Return chicken to the sauce.

Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes.

Add cooked pasta and toss to coat.

Use reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.

  • A frying pan filled with creamy sauce and cooked, seasoned chicken pieces on a marble countertop; a basil plant is visible in the corner.
  • A pan of creamy sauce with chicken pieces sits on a marble counter next to a bowl of uncooked penne pasta and a bunch of fresh basil.
  • Cooked penne pasta sits on top of a creamy orange sauce in a frying pan, placed on a marble countertop with a small basil plant nearby.
  • A skillet of creamy penne pasta with chicken and sun-dried tomatoes sits on a marble counter, surrounded by fresh basil, chopped herbs, parmesan, and utensils.

6. Finish & Serve

Garnish with chopped basil or parsley and more parmesan if desired.

A plate of creamy penne pasta with pieces of chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan, and chopped herbs. A fork rests on the side of the plate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes!

Rigatoni, fettuccine, or even spaghetti work well.

Q: Can I make it ahead of time?

Yes, but it’s best fresh.

If making ahead, store sauce and pasta separately for best texture.

Q: How do I make it lighter?

Use light cream or half-and-half, reduced-fat cream cheese, and a bit less parmesan.

Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely!

Thighs add more flavor and stay juicy.

Q: Is it spicy?

Only mildly spicy with the red pepper flakes — omit or reduce for less heat.

Q: Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes, just use gluten-free pasta and ensure broth and other ingredients are GF
certified.

A plate of creamy penne pasta with chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil, served with a fork; grated cheese and red pepper flakes are on the side.

Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Print Recipe
A plate of creamy penne pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh herbs, with a fork holding a bite-sized portion.
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:25 minutes
Total Time:40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 large chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 –4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup grated parmesan
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped
  • 8 oz Penne pasta
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions

  • Cook Pasta: Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain the rest.
  • Sear Chicken: Season chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
  • Make Sauce: In the same pan, sauté garlic for 30 seconds. Add Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes.
  • Creamy Base: Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir in cream cheese and parmesan until melted and smooth.
  • Combine: Return chicken to the sauce. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes. Add cooked pasta and toss to coat. Use reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
  • Finish & Serve: Garnish with chopped basil or parsley and more parmesan if desired.
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 750kcal

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