Print

Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

4.5 from 104 reviews

Tasty Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender bite-sized chicken pieces, al dente penne pasta, and a rich sun-dried tomato and Parmesan cream sauce. Garnished with fresh basil, this comforting pasta meal comes together on the stovetop in under an hour, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

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 (preferably Kerrygold 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 (torn just before serving)
  • Additional Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Boil 10 oz 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 the Chicken: Cut the 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken into 1-inch bite-sized pieces and season with 0.5 tsp salt and 0.25 tsp pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 6–8 minutes until they are fully cooked and no longer pink inside. Remove the chicken from skillet and set aside.
  3. Make the Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce: In the same skillet, melt 3 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 2 tsp minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 3 tbsp flour to form a paste. Gradually whisk in 2 cups chicken broth, then add 1 cup heavy cream and 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until the sauce is smooth. Stir in 1 cup drained sun-dried tomatoes, 1 tsp paprika, and 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until it thickens.
  4. Combine Chicken, Pasta, and Sauce: Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta back into the skillet with the sauce. Stir to coat everything evenly in the creamy sauce. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper as needed.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Garnish the finished dish with torn fresh basil leaves and, if desired, sprinkle with extra Parmesan cheese just before serving for a fresh burst of flavor and color.

Notes

  • Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for the best flavor and texture.
  • Pounding chicken to even thickness ensures even cooking.
  • Allow the sauce to simmer until thickened for a creamy consistency.
  • Fresh basil added at the end brightens the dish.
  • Optional: Add extra Parmesan cheese for more richness.

Keywords: marry me chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, easy chicken pasta recipe, stovetop pasta dish