Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta: The Ultimate Romantic Dinner Recipe

This Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta is the dish that will steal hearts and become your new go-to romantic dinner. With tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a luxurious cream sauce, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor right in your own kitchen. Perfect for special occasions or when you want to make an ordinary weeknight feel extraordinary.

What makes this dish so special is the perfect balance of flavors – the richness of the cream sauce, the savory depth of the chicken, and the sweet-tangy punch from the sun-dried tomatoes. It’s a meal that feels indulgent yet comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you still want something special.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 8 oz penne pasta or fettuccine
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh basil for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.

Step 3: Create the Cream Sauce

In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute. Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits.

Step 4: Combine Everything

Reduce heat to medium and add heavy cream. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Return chicken to the skillet along with the cooked pasta. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach your desired sauce consistency.

Step 5: Final Touches

Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while hot.

Expert Tips for Perfect Marry Me Pasta

Use High-Quality Ingredients: Since this recipe has relatively few ingredients, quality matters. Use fresh garlic, good Parmesan cheese, and high-quality sun-dried tomatoes for the best flavor.

Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Cook chicken just until it’s no longer pink inside to keep it tender and juicy. Overcooking will make it dry and tough.

Reserve Pasta Water: The starchy pasta water is key to creating a silky sauce that clings perfectly to the pasta. Always save some before draining.

If you enjoy creamy pasta dishes, you might also love our Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta Bake for another delicious weeknight option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! This sauce works well with most pasta shapes. Fettuccine, rigatoni, or farfalle would all be excellent choices. The key is using a pasta that can hold the creamy sauce well.

How should I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of cream or milk to refresh the sauce.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

You can prep the components ahead but combine them just before serving for the best texture. The sauce may thicken when refrigerated, so you’ll need to thin it with a little cream when reheating.

For more delicious pasta inspiration, check out our Crack Chicken Penne or explore our collection of creamy pasta recipes for more family-friendly dinner ideas.

Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta: The Ultimate Romantic Dinner Recipe

This Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta features tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a luxurious cream sauce that delivers restaurant-quality flavor in under 30 minutes. Perfect for special occasions or making an ordinary weeknight feel extraordinary with its perfect balance of rich cream sauce, savory chicken, and sweet-tangy sun-dried tomatoes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 550

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 8 oz penne pasta or fettuccine
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh basil for garnish

Method

 

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
2. Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute. Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits.
4. Reduce heat to medium and add heavy cream. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Return chicken to the skillet along with the cooked pasta. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach your desired sauce consistency.
5. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Use high-quality ingredients since this recipe has relatively few ingredients – fresh garlic, good Parmesan cheese, and high-quality sun-dried tomatoes for best flavor. Don’t overcook the chicken to keep it tender. Always reserve pasta water for creating a silky sauce that clings perfectly to the pasta.