Ultimate Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

This irresistible creamy chicken pasta is the ultimate romantic dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds. With tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce, this dish lives up to its name – it’s so good it might just inspire marriage proposals! Perfect for date nights, family dinners, or any occasion when you want to impress with minimal effort.

What makes this recipe special is how the creamy sauce clings to every strand of pasta, while the sun-dried tomatoes add a sweet-tangy depth that complements the savory chicken perfectly. It’s a restaurant-quality meal you can make at home in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

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

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water before draining.

While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken strips with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.

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. Add heavy cream and bring to a simmer.

Reduce heat to low and stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time.

Return cooked chicken to the skillet and add drained pasta. Toss everything together until well coated in the creamy sauce.

Garnish with fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while hot.

Expert Tips

For the best results, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-shredded, as it melts more smoothly into the sauce. The starch from the pasta water helps create a silky, restaurant-quality sauce that clings perfectly to every strand.

If you love creamy pasta dishes, you might also enjoy our Ultimate Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta or the Creamy Chicken Ranch Pasta for another delicious variation.

For a complete meal, serve this pasta with a fresh side salad like our Ultimate Broccoli Salad to balance the richness of the creamy sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the components separately and combine them when ready to serve. The sauce may thicken when refrigerated, so you’ll need to thin it with a little milk or cream when reheating.

What can I use instead of sun-dried tomatoes?
Roasted red peppers or cherry tomatoes work well as substitutes. If using fresh cherry tomatoes, sauté them until they burst and release their juices.

Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
Cream-based sauces don’t freeze well as they can separate when thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh, though leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Ultimate Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta

This irresistible creamy chicken pasta features tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce that makes it perfect for romantic dinners or special occasions. The restaurant-quality dish comes together in under 30 minutes with a silky sauce that clings perfectly to every strand of pasta.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 620

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Ingredients

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

Method

 

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water before draining.
2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken strips with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. 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.
4. Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Add heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
5. Reduce heat to low and stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time.
6. Return cooked chicken to the skillet and add drained pasta. Toss everything together until well coated in the creamy sauce.
7. Garnish with fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-shredded for smoother melting. The starch from pasta water helps create a silky, restaurant-quality sauce that clings perfectly to every strand.