Hey there, pasta fanatic! Let’s talk about Marry Me Chicken Pasta—the creamy, garlicky, sun-dried tomato-laced dish that’s rumored to have sparked actual proposals. (True story: My cousin’s boyfriend tried it and immediately started Googling “how to buy a ring.”) Imagine tender chicken, caramelized garlic, and a velvety parmesan sauce hugging twirly pasta like a culinary hug. It’s the kind of meal that makes you want to slow-clap for yourself. And guess what? You don’t need to be a Michelin-star chef to nail it. I’ve burned pans, over-salted sauces, and even once mistook cinnamon for paprika (don’t ask). Today, I’m sharing all my secrets so you can master this Marry Me Chicken Pasta without a single tear—unless they’re happy tears. Let’s get saucy!
Why You’ll Love This Marry Me Chicken Pasta 💍🍝
Let’s be real: Cooking a romantic dinner shouldn’t feel like defusing a bomb. Your Marry Me Chicken Pasta is easy, foolproof, and guaranteed to impress even your “I-only-eat-pizza” roommate. Here’s why you’ll make this weekly:
- 30-minute magic. Faster than a rom-com montage.
- Pantry staples. No truffle oil or unicorn tears required.
- Crowd-pleaser. Works for date night, girls’ night, or “I need carbs ASAP” night.
- Leftover hero. Tastes even better the next day (if it survives that long).
Plus, I’ve made all the mistakes so you don’t have to. (RIP to the batch where I used almond milk instead of cream. It looked like cement. We don’t talk about that.)
Ingredients for Marry Me Chicken Pasta 💍🍝
Grab these simple staples (swaps in parentheses!):
- 1 lb chicken breasts (or thighs for juicier vibes!)
- 8 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or bow ties for whimsy!)
- 3 tbsp olive oil (or butter for extra richness!)
- 4 garlic cloves (minced—or 1 tbsp jarred garlic if you’re lazy!)
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped—oil-packed for maximum flavor!)
- 1 cup heavy cream (half-and-half works, but live a little!)
- 1 cup chicken broth (water + bouillon in a pinch!)
- 1 cup grated parmesan (the powdery stuff works, but fresh is chef’s kiss!)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or a mix of oregano + basil!)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional—for that “spicy love” vibe!)
- Salt + pepper (to taste—don’t hold back!)
- Fresh basil (for garnish—or dried if your plant died again!)
How to Make Marry Me Chicken Pasta 💍🍝 (Step-by-Step!)
Step 1: Cook the Chicken (No Ring Required)
- Slice chicken into bite-sized pieces. Pro tip: Slightly frozen chicken is easier to cut!
- Season with salt + pepper. Pretend you’re seasoning a steak—confidence is key.
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet. Cook chicken 5-6 mins until golden. Set aside.
My disaster story: I once forgot to season the chicken. It tasted like regret. Don’t be me.
Step 2: Pasta Party
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain, but save ½ cup pasta water!
- Pro tip: Under-seasoned pasta water = bland pasta. Salt it like the ocean!
Step 3: Build the Sauce (The Proposal Moment)
- Heat remaining oil in the skillet. Sauté garlic + sun-dried tomatoes 1-2 mins.
- Pour in cream + broth. Stir gently—no splashing your nice shirt!
- Simmer 5 mins until slightly thickened. Add Italian seasoning + red pepper flakes.
Hot tip: If the sauce looks too thin, mix 1 tsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water and stir in!
Step 4: Bring It All Together
- Toss cooked pasta + chicken into the sauce. Sprinkle parmesan and stir until melty.
- Need more sauciness? Add pasta water 1 tbsp at a time.
Step 5: Garnish Like You Mean It
- Top with fresh basil and extra parm.
- Optional romance: Light candles, play Sinatra, and serve with garlic bread.
More Relative Recipes:
- Sticky Honey Chicken
- Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice Recipe – A Magical Fall Drink
- Baked Garlic Parmesan Potato Wedges
- Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball
- Sweet Sourdough Bread: Soft, Flaky And Easy to Bake
- Creamy Reuben Soup
- Precooked Shrimp with Tangy Lemon Dip 🦐🍋
- Butternut Squash Sausage Tortellini Soup
- Toasted Italian Sandwiches
- Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars
- Crispy Bang Bang Chicken – So Easy and So Yummy!
- French Onion Soup
My Top Tips for Perfect Marry Me Chicken Pasta 💍🍝
- Don’t overcook the chicken. Dry chicken = sad proposal.
- Use the sun-dried tomato oil! It adds bonus flavor to the sauce.
- Grate your own parm. Pre-grated has anti-caking agents that can make sauce grainy.
- Too spicy? Add a squeeze of lemon or a dollop of mascarpone.
- Make it veggie: Swap chicken for roasted mushrooms or chickpeas!
What to Serve With Your Proposal-Worthy Pasta
- Garlic bread: For sauce-dunking purposes. Duh.
- Caesar salad: Because crunch balances cream.
- Roasted asparagus: Fancy but easy.
- A crisp white wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
- Dessert: Tiramisu, because why stop at one proposal?
True story: I once served this with store-bought garlic bread. My date thought I was a culinary genius. Shhh.
10 Ways to Make It Your Marry Me Chicken Pasta 💍🍝
- Bacon lover’s: Add crispy bacon bits.
- Spinach boost: Toss in fresh spinach at the end.
- Lemon zest: Brighten the sauce with citrus.
- Mushroom madness: Sauté mushrooms with the garlic.
- Gluten-free: Use GF pasta + check broth labels.
- Extra cheesy: Stir in mozzarella or fontina.
- Seafood swap: Use shrimp or scallops instead of chicken.
- Herb garden: Add fresh thyme or rosemary.
- Creamy pesto: Swirl in 2 tbsp pesto post-simmer.
- Truffle oil drizzle: For bougie proposals.
FAQs (Your Questions, Answered!)
Q: Can I use milk instead of cream?
A: Yes, but sauce will be thinner. Add extra parm to thicken!
Q: How long do leftovers last?
A: 3-4 days in the fridge. Reheat with a splash of broth!
Q: Can I freeze it?
A: The sauce might separate, but it’ll still taste good!
Q: No sun-dried tomatoes?
A: Use roasted red peppers or cherry tomatoes.
Q: Too salty?
A: Add a squeeze of lemon or a pinch of sugar.
Why This Dish Beats an Actual Proposal
Let’s face it: Diamonds are expensive, and weddings are stressful. Your Marry Me Chicken Pasta is affordable, low-commitment, and won’t make you argue about napkin colors. Plus, it pairs perfectly with sweatpants.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—my foolproof Marry Me Chicken Pasta 💍🍝 that’ll make you the star of the kitchen (and maybe even get you a ring… or at least a standing ovation). Remember, cooking’s about joy, not perfection. So if your sauce breaks or your basil wilts, laugh it off and pour another glass of wine. (I’ve done it. Many times.)
Now grab that skillet, crank up Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect,” and let’s get cooking! And when your significant other
Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts halved lengthwise
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- 1 tsp dried basil or fresh basil for garnish
- 12 oz fettuccine or your preferred pasta
- Red pepper flakes to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside. (10 minutes)
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the liquids: Pour in the chicken broth and stir, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. (7-10 minutes)
- Cook the pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Combine: Slice the chicken into strips and add it back to the skillet with the sauce. Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce, mixing until the pasta is fully coated. (5 minutes)
- Serve: Serve the pasta with extra Parmesan and fresh basil on top. Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.
