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–+ servings
Melany

The BEST Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe – A Must-Try Comfort Dish!

This Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, dreamy, and ultra-flavorful dish that will have everyone asking for seconds! Made with tender chicken, a rich sun-dried tomato cream sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta, it's the ultimate comfort meal for a cozy dinner or a romantic date night.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Pasta
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta & Chicken:
  • 8 oz dried pasta penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni
  • 1 lb chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
For the Flavor & Seasoning:
  • ½ cup finely chopped onion
  • 3-4 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes optional
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • Salt & pepper to taste
For the Sauce & Toppings:
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Method
 

Cook the Pasta:
  1. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook pasta until al dente.
  2. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2️⃣ Sauté the Chicken:
  1. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add onions and garlic, sautéing for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  3. Add chicken pieces, seasoning with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  4. Cook for 6-7 minutes, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
3️⃣ Make the Creamy Sauce:
  1. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, letting their flavor infuse.
  2. Pour in the heavy cream, bringing it to a simmer.
  3. Add Parmesan cheese, stirring until it melts and thickens the sauce.
4️⃣ Combine Everything:
  1. Toss in the cooked pasta, coating it in the creamy sauce.
  2. If needed, add some reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
5️⃣ Serve & Enjoy:
  1. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
  2. Serve hot and enjoy the irresistible creamy goodness!

Notes

  • For extra creaminess, add an extra ¼ cup of Parmesan or a spoonful of cream cheese.
  • Make it spicy by adding more red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce.
  • To thicken the sauce, simmer it longer or add a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water).
  • Vegetarian option: Swap chicken for mushrooms, tofu, or roasted cauliflower.

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