Marry Me Pasta
Published Dec 22, 2025
Marry me chicken pasta cooked with chicken, cream, Parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes, then tossed with pasta until saucy.
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You’ll love marry me chicken pasta!
Marry me chicken pasta has been one of those viral recipes I kept seeing online, so I finally made my own version, and it stuck. The sauce is simple cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan, but it is seriously delicious! I like that the chicken finishes right in the sauce, and the pasta soaks up everything without much effort on my part. Now, marry me chicken pasta is something I make when I want a pasta dinner with lots of big flavors.
Happy Cooking!
– Yumna
Marry Me Pasta Ingredients
- Penne pasta: I recommend penne because it holds the sauce well. You can use any short-cut tubular pasta like ziti, rigatoni, mostaccioli, fusilli, or rotini. Gluten-free pasta works, too!
- Chicken breasts: I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You can also use chicken thighs, but they take longer to cook.
- Chicken stock: You can make homemade chicken stock or buy unsalted chicken stock at the store. Chicken broth also works.
- Heavy cream: I prefer full-fat heavy cream, but you can substitute it with half-and-half.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: I love oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes because they have more flavor, but bagged ones also work.
- Garlic: Here’s a quick tutorial on how to mince garlic. If you don’t have fresh garlic, substitute with ½ teaspoon of garlic powder per clove.
- Olive oil: Avocado oil or vegetable oil works if that’s what you have.
- Parmesan cheese: I recommend buying a block of cheese and grating it yourself.
- Herbs and seasonings: Fresh basil, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
How to Make Marry Me Pasta
Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe
This marry me chicken pasta combines seared chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, and cream for a simple, pasta dinner.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 4)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes oil-packed, drained
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil leaves plus more for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente, about 1–2 minutes less than package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Pat the chicken dry and season with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear for 4–5 minutes per side until golden. Transfer to a cutting board (it doesn't need to be cooked through yet). Cut into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the chicken stock, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Reduce the heat to medium and stir in heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon sauce over the top. Simmer uncovered for 8–10 minutes, or until the chicken cooks through.
- Add the cooked pasta directly into the sauce with chopped fresh basil. Toss well, adding splashes of reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce until creamy and glossy.
- Spoon into bowls, top with extra Parmesan and basil, and serve immediately.
Equipment
Notes
- My Top Tip: Before you drain the penne, save a cup or two of the pasta water. It’s starchy, salty, and can help the Marry Me Pasta Sauce cling to the noodles and make the dish even creamier.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4–5 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove, adding a splash of water or broth to thin the sauce if needed. Freezing is not recommended.
Nutrition
Serving: 2cups, Calories: 723kcal, Carbohydrates: 50g, Protein: 51g, Fat: 35g, Saturated Fat: 17g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 11g, Trans Fat: 0.02g, Cholesterol: 187mg, Sodium: 1054mg, Potassium: 1038mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 1470IU, Vitamin C: 10mg, Calcium: 205mg, Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Did You Make This Recipe?
Recipe Variations
- Add more vegetables: Try sautéed sliced mushrooms, artichoke hearts, or roasted red peppers.
- Use extra sun-dried tomatoes: Double the amount of sun-dried tomatoes for even more Tuscan flavor.
- Give it a crispy finish: Sprinkle toasted breadcrumbs mixed with parsley and grated Parmesan on top for texture.
Recipe Tips
- Pound the chicken evenly: If your chicken breasts are thick in the center, gently pound them so they cook evenly and don’t dry out before the sauce thickens.
- Thoroughly dry the chicken before seasoning. This helps the chicken brown without sticking to the pan. Leftover moisture creates steam, which prevents browning.
- Reserve the pasta water: Before you drain the penne, save a cup or two of the pasta water. It’s starchy, salty, and can help the Marry Me Pasta Sauce cling to the noodles and make the dish even creamier.
Serving Ideas
- Bread: Garlic Cheese Bread, Homemade Dinner Rolls, Rosemary Focaccia
- Salad: Chopped Green Goddess Salad, Broccoli Salad, Classic Caesar Salad
- Vegetables: Roasted Broccolini, Roasted Zucchini, Roasted Green Beans
FAQs
Why did my chicken come out dry?
You likely overcooked the chicken, which dries it out and causes it to become tough and chewy. Make sure you pay close attention to the cooking times.
Why is it called Marry Me Pasta?
Marry Me Pasta is a variation of the viral recipe for Marry Me Chicken. In this version, I added penne pasta to the creamy sauce for a complete dinner.
