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Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

4.7 from 136 reviews

This creamy and flavorful Marry Me Chicken Pasta features tender bite-sized pieces of seasoned chicken cooked in a rich sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Paired perfectly with al dente penne pasta, this comforting skillet dish is finished with fresh basil for a deliciously vibrant touch.

Ingredients

Scale

For the chicken:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken, pounded to even thickness
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp pepper

For the pasta:

  • 10 oz penne pasta

For the sauce:

  • 1 cup drained sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed for best flavor)
  • 3 tbsp butter (Kerrygold recommended for richness)
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 cup heavy cream (room temperature)
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • 2 tsp minced garlic (fresh preferred)

For the garnish:

  • Fresh basil leaves, torn just before serving

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta: Boil the penne pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside while you prepare the chicken and sauce.
  2. Prepare and cook chicken: Cut the chicken into 1-inch bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6–8 minutes until no longer pink and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
  3. Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the flour to form a paste. Gradually whisk in chicken broth, then add heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until smooth. Add the drained sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until thickened.
  4. Combine pasta and chicken with sauce: Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta back into the skillet with the sauce. Stir well to coat everything evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
  5. Garnish and serve: Garnish the finished dish with torn fresh basil leaves and optionally add extra Parmesan cheese just before serving for an extra burst of flavor and color.

Notes

  • For the best flavor, use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes.
  • Using Kerrygold butter adds richness, but any good-quality unsalted butter will work.
  • Ensure heavy cream is at room temperature to avoid curdling in the sauce.
  • Feel free to add extra Parmesan cheese as garnish for more cheesy flavor.
  • To make the dish gluten-free, substitute flour with a gluten-free flour blend.

Keywords: marry me chicken, chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, one pan chicken pasta