Heavenly Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe to Love

Simmering with passion, this marry me chicken pasta promises to steal hearts with its unexpected blend of tangy and rich flavors.

Sun-dried tomatoes dance alongside tender chicken in a creamy sauce that whispers romance.

Every forkful carries a story of culinary seduction, layered with herbs and parmesan.

The dish turns an ordinary dinner into a memorable experience that sparks connection.

Fresh ingredients meld together, creating a symphony of taste that feels both comforting and exciting.

Garlic and cream weave magic through each bite, making this pasta impossible to resist.

You’ll want to savor every single morsel of this enchanting meal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 719 kcal

Servings: 5

Marry Me Chicken Pasta: Ingredient Love List

For Protein:
  • Chicken Tenderloins: Tender, lean protein that absorbs rich flavors and creates the main substance of the dish.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the chicken's natural taste and provide depth to the overall flavor profile.
For Sauce Base:
  • Olive Oil: Provides smooth cooking surface and adds subtle fruity undertones to the dish.
  • Butter: Creates rich, velvety texture and adds luxurious depth to the sauce.
  • Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that builds foundational savory notes and complex flavor layers.
  • Heavy Cream: Delivers indulgent, silky consistency that binds sauce ingredients together.
  • Chicken Broth: Adds subtle umami flavor and helps create balanced, harmonious sauce texture.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Contributes nutty, salty dimension and helps thicken sauce naturally.
For Flavor Enhancers:
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Brings concentrated, tangy sweetness and vibrant color to the dish.
  • Oregano: Introduces earthy, Mediterranean-inspired herbal notes.
  • Thyme: Provides delicate, slightly minty undertones that complement chicken beautifully.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Adds gentle warmth and subtle spiciness to balance creamy elements.
  • Basil: Fresh herb that adds bright, aromatic finishing touch.
  • Pasta: Serves as perfect vehicle for capturing and holding onto delicious sauce.

Cooking Tools For This Creamy Chicken Pasta

  • Large skillet: Essential for cooking chicken and preparing the creamy sauce.
  • Tongs: Perfect for turning and handling chicken while cooking.
  • Cutting board: Needed for slicing chicken and chopping herbs.
  • Sharp knife: Helps slice chicken and chop basil and garlic.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring sauce and mixing pasta.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
  • Pasta pot: Used for boiling pasta to al dente perfection.
  • Colander: Drains pasta after cooking.

How To Cook Marry Me Chicken Pasta Right

  • Chicken Preparation

Grab your chicken tenders and sprinkle them with a pinch of salt and pepper. Heat up a skillet with olive oil and sizzle those beauties until they’re gorgeously golden and cooked through.

  • Sauce Creation

In the same skillet, melt butter and dance some garlic around until it’s wonderfully fragrant. Pour in cream, broth, and a generous handful of Parmesan. Toss in sun-dried tomatoes and herbs for an explosion of flavor. Let everything bubble and marry together into a luscious sauce.

  • Pasta Magic

Cook your pasta until it’s perfectly tender. Drain and set aside, ready to soak up all that incredible sauce.

  • Flavor Fusion

Slice the chicken into tempting strips and return them to the skillet. Tumble in the pasta and swirl everything together so each bite is coated in creamy goodness.

  • Final Touch

Scatter fresh basil leaves on top and sprinkle some extra Parmesan. Serve immediately and watch everyone swoon with delight.

Flavor Additions For Marry Me Chicken Pasta

  • Replace chicken tenderloins with boneless, skinless chicken breasts or swap entirely for shrimp, turkey cutlets, or plant-based alternatives like tofu for a different protein experience.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes to control heat intensity – reduce for mild flavor or add extra for a spicier kick that tantalizes your taste buds.
  • Incorporate sautéed spinach, roasted bell peppers, or zucchini directly into the sauce to increase nutritional value and create more texture in the dish.
  • Prepare the chicken and sauce in advance, storing separately in refrigerator. When ready to serve, quickly reheat and combine with freshly cooked pasta for a speedy weeknight meal.
  • Experiment with different cheese varieties like aged Pecorino Romano, creamy Gruyère, or sharp Asiago to transform the sauce's flavor profile and add unexpected depth.

Serving Suggestions For This Romantic Pasta

  • Pair with Fresh Salad: Crisp green salad with light vinaigrette perfectly balances the rich, creamy pasta and cuts through the dish's decadent flavors.
  • Serve with Crusty Bread: Warm, crusty Italian bread becomes an ideal companion for soaking up the luxurious sauce, ensuring not a drop goes to waste.
  • Wine Pairing Recommendation: Chilled white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc complements the creamy sauce and sun-dried tomatoes, elevating the entire dining experience.
  • Create Family-Style Presentation: Serve directly from the skillet for a rustic, inviting table setting that encourages shared enjoyment and casual conversation.

Marry Me Chicken Pasta: Save It The Right Way

  • Refrigerate with Care: Transfer leftover pasta to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to maintain freshness and prevent moisture loss.
  • Reheat Gently: Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore its creamy consistency. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
  • Freeze for Later: Pack the cooled pasta in freezer-safe containers, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Meal Prep Magic: Prepare the chicken and sauce in advance, storing separately in the refrigerator. Cook fresh pasta when ready to serve for the best texture and flavor. Keep components separate to maintain optimal quality and prevent soggy pasta.
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Heavenly Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

Heavenly Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe


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4.7 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Marry me chicken pasta promises culinary magic with its rich, creamy sauce and tender chicken. Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbs combine to create a memorable meal you’ll want to savor again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) pasta (fettuccine or penne)
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 tbsps olive oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Seasoning: Evenly coat chicken tenderloins with kosher salt and black pepper, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
  2. Searing: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Introduce chicken, creating a golden-brown exterior for 5-7 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F, achieving a crisp, caramelized finish.
  3. Resting: Remove chicken from skillet, allowing it to rest while preparing the sauce foundation.
  4. Sauce Development: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant. Incorporate heavy cream, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring periodically to thicken and intensify flavors.
  5. Pasta Preparation: Cook pasta in salted water until al dente, reserving some pasta water before draining.
  6. Combining: Slice chicken into diagonal strips and reintroduce to the creamy sauce. Add drained pasta, tossing thoroughly to ensure complete sauce coverage. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if necessary.
  7. Finishing: Garnish with fresh basil leaves and an optional Parmesan cheese sprinkle. Serve immediately, presenting a luxurious and aromatic culinary creation.

Notes

  • Chicken Temperature Check: Ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internal temperature to guarantee safe, perfectly cooked meat without dryness.
  • Pasta Water Magic: Reserve some starchy pasta water before draining; it helps create a silky, clingy sauce that effortlessly coats every pasta strand.
  • Flavor Layering Technique: Sauté garlic in the same skillet used for chicken to capture and enhance all the delicious browned bits and caramelized flavors.
  • Sauce Consistency Secret: Simmer sauce on low heat to develop rich, deep flavors and allow natural thickening without scorching or separating cream.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American-Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 719
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 705 mg
  • Fat: 34 g
  • Saturated Fat: 18 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 66 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 42 g
  • Cholesterol: 135 mg
Sophie Reynolds

Sophie Reynolds

Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • Home Cooking Innovation & Comfort Recipes
  • Flavor Development & Ingredient Pairing
  • Seasonal Produce Integration
  • Recipe Testing & Instructional Clarity
  • Culinary Education & Community Workshops

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO

  • Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.

Oregon State University

  • Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
  • Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.

Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café. 

Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.

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