Imagine a dish so delicious that it could win over hearts and taste buds alike—welcome to Marry Me Chicken Pasta! This creamy, dreamy pasta dish combines tender chicken, a rich sauce, and delightful sun-dried tomatoes. Perfect for date nights, family dinners, or any occasion where you want to impress, this recipe is bound to become a favorite in your household.

With its simple ingredients and ease of preparation, Marry Me Chicken Pasta is not just about the flavors but also the memories you’ll create while cooking and sharing it with loved ones. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and let’s embark on this culinary adventure!

Why This Recipe Works

Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. The creamy sauce, enriched with parmesan cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, complements the juicy chicken perfectly. The combination of Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes adds depth and warmth to the dish, making it not only delicious but also comforting. The use of heavy cream ensures that the sauce is luscious and coating, making every bite a delightful experience.

Moreover, the recipe is versatile, allowing you to use your favorite type of pasta, whether it be penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti. This adaptability ensures that Marry Me Chicken Pasta can easily fit into your weekly meal rotation, keeping things fresh and exciting.

Ingredient Checklist

To make the perfect Marry Me Chicken Pasta, you will need the following ingredients:

8 oz dried pasta of choice, half a standard box
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup onion, finely chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon butter
1 pound chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
1 teaspoon EACH Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt, and pepper
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
Basil leaves, for garnish

Hardware & Gadgets

To whip up this delicious dish, you’ll need a few essential kitchen tools:

Large pot – for boiling pasta
Skillet – for cooking the chicken and sauce
Wooden spoon – for stirring
Measuring cups and spoons – for accurate ingredient measurements
Cutting board and knife – for chopping vegetables and chicken

Marry Me Chicken Pasta: From Prep to Plate

Follow these simple steps to create your own Marry Me Chicken Pasta:

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the dried pasta of your choice and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Add the butter to the skillet, then toss in the bite-sized chicken pieces. Season with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes.

Step 4: Create the Creamy Sauce

Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until melted and combined. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, mixing them into the sauce.

Step 5: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, gently tossing to coat the noodles in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, feel free to add a splash of pasta cooking water to reach the desired consistency.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Serve the Marry Me Chicken Pasta in bowls, garnished with fresh basil leaves. Enjoy it hot, and watch as everyone falls in love with this incredible dish!

Adaptations for Special Diets

If you need to make adjustments for specific dietary preferences, consider the following:

Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta to accommodate gluten sensitivities.
Dairy-Free: Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use a dairy-free cheese alternative.
Lower-Carb: Swap pasta for spiralized zucchini or cauliflower rice.

Avoid These Mistakes

To ensure your Marry Me Chicken Pasta turns out perfectly, keep these tips in mind:

Don’t overcook the pasta; it should be al dente as it will continue to cook in the sauce.
Ensure the chicken is cooked through to avoid any food safety issues.
Adjust the seasoning to your taste; feel free to add more spice if you like heat.
Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best flavor and texture.

Freezer-Friendly Notes

If you want to prepare Marry Me Chicken Pasta in advance, here are some tips:

This dish can be frozen for up to 2 months. To freeze, cool the pasta and sauce completely, then store them in an airtight container. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop, adding a splash of cream or water to loosen the sauce if needed.

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If you love Marry Me Chicken Pasta, you might also enjoy these reader favorites:

Ready, Set, Cook

Now that you have everything you need to create Marry Me Chicken Pasta, it’s time to start cooking! Gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and don’t forget to enjoy the process. This dish is about more than just food; it’s about the joy of cooking and sharing a meal with those you love. So, put on your apron, turn on some music, and let’s make some magic in the kitchen!

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Marry Me Chicken Pasta

This Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, dreamy dish that will win hearts and taste buds alike!

Prep Time15

Cook Time30

Total Time45

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

For the Pasta:

8 oz dried pasta of choice, half a standard box
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup onion finely chopped
3-4 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon butter
1 pound chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup parmesan cheese grated
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
Basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

Instructions:

Step 1: Cook the Pasta - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the dried pasta of your choice and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain and set aside.
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics - In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken - Add the butter to the skillet, then toss in the bite-sized chicken pieces. Season with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes.
Step 4: Create the Creamy Sauce - Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until melted and combined. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, mixing them into the sauce.
Step 5: Combine Pasta and Sauce - Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, gently tossing to coat the noodles in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, feel free to add a splash of pasta cooking water to reach the desired consistency.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve - Serve the Marry Me Chicken Pasta in bowls, garnished with fresh basil leaves. Enjoy it hot, and watch as everyone falls in love with this incredible dish!

Equipment

Large Pot
Skillet
Wooden Spoon
Measuring cups and spoons
Cutting board and knife

Notes

This dish can be frozen for up to 2 months. Cool the pasta and sauce completely before storing in an airtight container.
To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta.
For a lower-carb option, swap pasta for spiralized zucchini or cauliflower rice.