Creamy, savory, and just the right touch of spice—Marry Me Chicken Pasta lives up to its romantic name. This dish combines juicy golden-seared chicken with a rich sun-dried tomato cream sauce, all wrapped around tender penne pasta. It’s the kind of meal that turns a quiet weeknight into something worth remembering.

Whether you’re cooking for someone special or just want to treat yourself to something extra indulgent, this pasta brings serious comfort. One forkful and you’ll understand why so many people call it “proposal-worthy.” It’s flavorful, easy to make, and makes any dinner feel like a celebration.

What Kind of Pasta Should I Use?

Penne pasta is the go-to for this recipe because its ridges and hollow centers soak up all that creamy sauce beautifully. But if you want to mix it up, try rigatoni or even fettuccine. Just stick with pasta shapes that hold sauce well—this dish deserves nothing less.

Ingredients for the Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal. They cook quickly, stay juicy, and bring a hearty bite to the dish.

Penne Pasta: Its tube shape captures all the creamy sauce, making each bite rich and satisfying.

Sun-Dried Tomatoes: The sweet, tangy depth of sun-dried tomatoes adds a unique flavor punch to balance the creaminess.

Heavy Cream: This is what makes the sauce luxuriously thick and smooth.

Chicken Broth: Adds flavor and thins out the sauce just enough without compromising richness.

Garlic and Shallots: Essential aromatics that build the flavor foundation.

Parmesan Cheese: For a salty, nutty boost that melts into the sauce.

Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Just a pinch gives the dish a gentle heat that keeps things interesting.

Olive Oil & Butter: For browning the chicken and sautéing the aromatics.

Fresh Basil or Parsley: A touch of freshness to brighten up the final dish.

How To Make the Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken

Generously season your chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and a touch of garlic powder. Heat a skillet with olive oil and butter, then sear the chicken on medium-high heat until golden and cooked through. Remove and let it rest while you work on the sauce.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

In the same pan, reduce the heat and add chopped shallots and minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant and translucent, scraping up the flavorful bits left from the chicken.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Sauce

Pour in the chicken broth and let it simmer for a couple of minutes. Then stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and crushed red pepper flakes. Simmer gently until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes creamy.

Step 4: Cook the Pasta

While the sauce is simmering, cook the penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a bit of pasta water in case you need to loosen the sauce later.

Step 5: Combine Everything

Slice the cooked chicken and add it back into the pan. Toss in the cooked pasta and stir until everything is fully coated in that luscious sauce. If needed, splash in some reserved pasta water to loosen it up.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Finish it off with a sprinkle of fresh chopped basil or parsley and a little more Parmesan. Serve hot and enjoy every bite!

How to Serve and Store Marry Me Chicken Pasta

This pasta is best served hot and fresh, straight from the pan. The sauce is creamy and rich, making it a stand-alone star, but you can pair it with garlic bread or a crisp green salad for a complete meal. A glass of chilled white wine wouldn’t hurt either!

To store leftovers, let the pasta cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When reheating, add a splash of cream or broth to revive the sauce’s silky texture. Avoid microwaving too long to prevent the chicken from drying out.

Freezing isn’t recommended for this dish due to the dairy-based sauce, which may separate once thawed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I substitute for heavy cream?

You can use half-and-half or a mix of milk and cream cheese, but keep in mind it won’t be as rich and creamy as the original.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs add even more flavor and stay juicy. Just be sure they’re boneless and cooked thoroughly.

Is this dish very spicy?

Not at all. The crushed red pepper flakes add a gentle warmth, but you can increase or reduce them to suit your taste.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Yes, skip the chicken and use sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or chickpeas instead. A good veggie broth will still make a lovely sauce.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?

Use a stovetop over medium heat with a splash of cream or broth. Stir gently until warmed through to maintain the creamy consistency.

Can I double the recipe?

Definitely! It scales up beautifully for dinner parties or meal prep. Just make sure your pan is large enough to handle it all.

Want More Pasta Ideas That Wow?

If this Marry Me Chicken Pasta stole your heart, you’re going to love these other irresistible pasta favorites from the blog:

Garlic Butter Chicken with Creamy Ricotta Alfredo Pasta for that ultra-cheesy, melt-in-your-mouth vibe.
Sweet Tangy Honey Dijon Chicken Pasta when you’re craving something bright with a zing.
One Pot Creamy Chicken Pasta Dinner to keep cleanup simple without sacrificing flavor.
Garlic Parmesan Beef Spaghetti Pasta if you’re in the mood for something meaty and bold.
Cafeteria Noodles with Garlic Butter Chicken Bites for a nostalgic, comforting twist.

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time: Life with Nina on Pinterest

Tried this Marry Me Chicken Pasta? I’d love to hear how it turned out for you! Did you add extra cheese? Toss in spinach? Swap pasta types?

Drop your twists and tips in the comments below—let’s inspire each other to cook with confidence!

Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Author: Nina Johnson
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Pasta
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, savory pasta dish made with juicy chicken breasts, sun-dried tomatoes, and a velvety Parmesan cream sauce tossed with penne pasta. It’s a comfort meal with restaurant-quality flavor, perfect for date nights or cozy evenings at home.

Instructions

1. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

2. Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken on both sides until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and let rest.

3. In the same skillet, add garlic and shallots. Sauté until fragrant and translucent.

4. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits.

5. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Mix until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.

6. Add sun-dried tomatoes and crushed red pepper flakes. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes.

7. Meanwhile, cook penne pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain, reserving 1⁄4 cup of pasta water.

8. Slice cooked chicken and add back into the sauce. Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together.

9. If needed, add reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.

10. Garnish with chopped basil or parsley and additional Parmesan before serving.