- What is Marry Me Chicken?
- How to Make Marry Me Chicken Pasta
- What You’ll Need
- What to Serve with Marry Me Chicken
- Substitutions and Variations
- Common Questions
- No Need for a Proposal—Just Make This Tonight!
Ever had one of those nights where you’re hungry but don’t want to make a mess of your kitchen? Yeah, me too. Marry Me Chicken Recipe With Pasta is a total lifesaver here (trust me, even my pickiest cousin devours seconds). It’s rich but not fussy, and best of all, you can pull it together with basic stuff from the fridge. If you want a dish that’s cozy enough for a Tuesday but could totally pass for a five-star occasion—keep reading, friend! This is that rare combo: easy, comforting, and yes, wildly delicious.
What is Marry Me Chicken?
Okay, let’s just say the title is bold—almost a dare—but honestly, it fits. People say you’ll want to propose after the first bite. Silly? Maybe, but the flavor’s no joke. Marry Me Chicken is basically juicy chicken cooked in a dreamy, creamy sauce, with a combo of sundried tomatoes, garlic, and a handful of Italian seasonings. Then, you toss it over pasta for good measure.
It’s not one of those recipes where you have to babysit a sauce for an hour. Nope, it’s way friendlier. I first tried this at a neighbor’s potluck (thank you, Linda), and, let’s just say, life hasn’t been the same. Whether you’re into big pasta dishes or just need something that feels special midweek, this dish brings the magic. It’s super adaptable, too—swap in whatever pasta you’ve got, or add greens if you’re feeling rebellious. So, is it romantic? Well, my friends call it “weeknight miracle chicken” but hey, call it what you want.
Honestly, I made this Marry Me Chicken Recipe With Pasta for my boyfriend’s birthday, and he’s been bragging to his friends about it ever since! – Grace, Boston
How to Make Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Listen, you don’t need to go wild with fancy gear or anything here. First, pat your chicken dry and season both sides with salt and pepper (seriously, don’t skimp). Next, brown the chicken in a big pan. Once it’s good and golden, you’ll pull it out for a quick rest. In goes your garlic—just until it smells amazing—then a handful of sundried tomatoes, and a splash of chicken broth to get all the tasty brown bits off the pan.
Now pour in the cream. Let it simmer until it thickens. The chicken goes back into the pan, and you let the whole thing bubble until the chicken’s cooked through. Dump in the cooked pasta and swirl everything around until it’s coated. If you want it extra saucy, add a bit of the pasta water (my grandma’s trick). Let it sit for a minute, and boom—done.
I’ve messed up plenty of pans in my day, but this one’s easy on clean up and hard to screw up. There’s a reason this Marry Me Chicken Recipe With Pasta keeps showing up at my family get-togethers.
What You’ll Need
So here’s the deal—nothing on this list is hard to find. I’ve used whatever’s hanging out in my fridge and never ruined it (really does keep it stress-free):
- Boneless chicken breasts or thighs (I switch it up depending what’s on sale)
- Pasta (penne or fettuccine, but use what you love)
- Sundried tomatoes (not the super oily kind, unless you like a little extra richness)
- A couple cloves of garlic
- Heavy cream (don’t worry, some folks use half and half… no judgment)
- Chicken broth
- Italian seasoning
- A good pinch of salt and pepper
- Parmesan (fresh if you wanna get fancy, but the shaker works, too)
- Olive oil
Anything else is optional—lemon zest, chili flakes, or spinach if you want more color.
What to Serve with Marry Me Chicken
Personally, I just throw a big bowl in the middle of the table and call it dinner. But if you really wanna round it out, try these super simple ideas:
- Garlic bread (seriously, you can never have too much bread to mop up the sauce)
- Quick green salad tossed with balsamic vinegar
- Steamed broccoli or roasted asparagus for a lighter bite
- A glass of white wine if you’re feeling celebratory (cheap stuff’s fine, nobody cares)
No joke, this Marry Me Chicken Recipe With Pasta goes with pretty much anything. My friend swears by serving it with crispy potatoes, but I just say, more carbs, more happiness.
Substitutions and Variations
Look, I get it, we don’t always have the exact ingredients. That’s kinda the fun part with this dish—just wing it sometimes. Swap chicken breasts for thighs if you like things juicy. For pasta, literally any shape works. Penne, linguine, spaghetti—even gluten free stuff if someone’s got allergies.
Sundried tomatoes? If they’re not around, toss in cherry tomatoes or roasted red peppers. If you want a dairy-free version, coconut cream is surprisingly dreamy (my sister does this even though she can handle dairy, just ‘cause). And hey, spice lovers—add crushed chili flakes or even a shake or two of hot sauce. I’ve even dumped in spinach for a touch of green. Don’t overthink it—your Marry Me Chicken Recipe With Pasta will still taste killer.
Common Questions
How do I store leftovers?
Just pop any extras in a sealed container in the fridge. It stays tasty for two days but, honestly, rarely lasts that long in my house.
Can I use precooked chicken?
Totally. Just skip the browning step and warm it up in the sauce. Not quite as juicy, but still good.
What if I don’t have heavy cream?
No biggie. Use half and half, or stir in a touch of plain yogurt at the end. It’s all about getting that creamy vibe.
Is this Marry Me Chicken Recipe With Pasta good for meal prep?
It works fine, though the pasta might soak up more sauce if it sits. I sometimes keep the chicken and sauce separate and mix in fresh pasta.
Can I freeze it?
Honestly, the sauce gets a little weird after freezing. I recommend eating fresh, but desperate times, desperate measures.
No Need for a Proposal—Just Make This Tonight!
So there you have it: a Marry Me Chicken Recipe With Pasta that tastes like you slaved in the kitchen but, in reality, was pretty chill. Whether you’re feeding your picky dad (been there) or want to look extra skilled for date night, this is your ticket. Try it out, and hey, check some easy dinner ideas for more inspiration if you’re on a roll. Let me know how it turned out for you—just don’t blame me if everyone’s begging for seconds.
Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Equipment
- Large Skillet or Sauté Pan
- Tongs
- Wooden Spoon
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless chicken breasts or thighs patted dry, seasoned with salt and pepper
- 12 oz pasta penne, fettuccine, or your choice
- 1/2 cup sundried tomatoes preferably not packed in oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated, plus more for serving
- 1 tbsp olive oil for searing chicken
Optional Additions
- chili flakes for heat
- lemon zest for brightness
- fresh spinach for color and greens
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry, season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet and sear chicken on both sides until golden. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, sauté garlic until fragrant. Add sundried tomatoes and stir for 1 minute. Deglaze with chicken broth, scraping up brown bits.
- Pour in heavy cream and Italian seasoning. Simmer gently until sauce thickens.
- Return chicken to the pan and let it cook through in the sauce.
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving some pasta water.
- Toss pasta into the skillet with chicken and sauce. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Add a splash of pasta water if needed for creaminess.
- Serve warm with extra Parmesan, fresh herbs, and optional sides.