This Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, dreamy dish that might just make someone fall in love with you after the first bite! Juicy chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a luscious parmesan cream sauce come together with perfectly cooked pasta for a restaurant-worthy meal you can make at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich & Creamy: A luxurious, velvety sauce made with heavy cream, parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Easy to Make: Comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for weeknights or date nights.
- Full of Flavor: A balance of savory, garlicky goodness with a subtle tang from the sun-dried tomatoes.
- Customizable: Swap the pasta or add veggies to make it your own.
Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: Sliced and seared to perfection for juicy bites.
- Pasta: Choose your favorite, like fettuccine or penne, to soak up the sauce.
- Garlic: Adds a rich, aromatic base to the dish.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Brings a sweet-tangy depth of flavor.
- Heavy Cream: Creates that ultra-luxurious sauce.
- Chicken Broth: Enhances the savory notes while keeping the sauce balanced.
- Parmesan Cheese: Melts into the sauce for a salty, umami-rich finish.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Optional, but adds a nice kick of heat.
- Italian Seasoning: A perfect blend of herbs to elevate the dish.
- Butter & Olive Oil: For rich flavor and to cook the chicken just right.
- Fresh Basil: A fresh and fragrant topping.
Note: The exact measurements for ingredients will be listed in the recipe card below.
How to Make Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Boil your pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve some pasta water before draining.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. In a large skillet, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat. Sear the chicken on both sides until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
In the same skillet, add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any flavorful bits. Stir in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese, allowing the sauce to thicken.
Step 4: Combine Everything
Slice the cooked chicken and return it to the skillet. Add the pasta and toss everything together. If the sauce is too thick, use reserved pasta water to loosen it.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Top with fresh basil and more parmesan before serving. Enjoy this creamy, indulgent dish!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Pound the Chicken: Ensures even cooking and extra tenderness.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: It melts better and gives a richer flavor.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Al dente is key to avoiding mushy pasta in the sauce.
- Adjust Consistency: Add pasta water as needed to achieve the perfect creamy texture.
How to Serve
- With a Side Salad: A fresh green salad with a lemon vinaigrette balances the richness.
- Garlic Bread: Perfect for soaking up every bit of that creamy sauce.
- Roasted Veggies: Serve with roasted asparagus or broccoli for extra nutrients.

Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezing
Not recommended due to the creamy sauce, but you can freeze just the chicken and sauce separately and reheat with fresh pasta.
Reheating
Reheat in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream to bring back the creaminess.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! Fettuccine, penne, or rigatoni all work beautifully.
2. How can I make this dish lighter?
Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and swap some of the pasta with zucchini noodles.
3. What can I substitute for sun-dried tomatoes?
Cherry tomatoes or roasted red peppers can provide a similar sweet-tangy element.
4. Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the sauce and chicken ahead, then cook the pasta fresh when you’re ready to serve.

Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This creamy, flavorful, and indulgent pasta dish is so delicious that it might just inspire a marriage proposal! The combination of tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and a luscious garlic cream sauce makes it an irresistible meal for date nights or special occasions.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced in half lengthwise)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Sauce:
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your choice)
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil (chopped, for garnish)
- ½ cup reserved pasta water (if needed for thinning sauce)
Instructions
-
Prepare the Chicken
Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside. -
Cook the Pasta
Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining. Set aside. -
Make the Sauce
In the same skillet, add butter and minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and sun-dried tomatoes. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens. -
Combine Everything
Slice the cooked chicken into strips and return it to the pan. Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of reserved pasta water until you reach the desired consistency. -
Garnish & Serve
Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh basil. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Use freshly grated parmesan for the best flavor and a smooth, creamy sauce.
Sun-dried tomatoes in oil add extra richness, but if using dry ones, soak them in warm water first.
For extra protein, add crispy bacon or sautéed mushrooms.
Pair with a side of garlic bread or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: marry me chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, easy chicken dinner, date night recipes