There’s something irresistibly cozy and indulgent about creamy, garlicky chicken pasta, and this Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe truly delivers on comfort. It’s one of those dishes that feels fancy yet comes together effortlessly—perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself after a long day.

A white pot filled with creamy orange pasta made of penne noodles mixed with light brown cubes of cooked chicken and red sun-dried tomato pieces. The sauce looks smooth and thick, covering every part of the pasta and chicken. Small green herb pieces and a few fresh basil leaves sit on the top, adding bright green color. A wooden spoon is partly visible on the right side, resting inside the pot on top of the pasta. The pot sits on a white marbled surface with some scattered basil leaves around it and bowls of grated cheese and red pepper flakes nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t tell you how many times this Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe has come to my rescue when I wanted a weeknight dinner that feels like a celebration. It’s rich without being heavy, full of flavor layers, and best of all, everyone asks for seconds. Trust me, it’s a crowd-pleaser you’ll want in your regular rotation.

Balanced Flavor: The creamy sauce combines sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan for an amazing depth without overpowering the chicken.
Simple Ingredients: It uses mostly pantry staples and a few fresh touches, so you probably have everything on hand right now.
Customizable: Whether you want to spice it up or dial it back, add veggies, or switch pasta types, it adapts beautifully.
Comfort Food Done Right: Creamy, tender, and full of savory goodness—just what dinner dreams are made of.

This dish shows pasta with three layers: the pasta pieces are pale yellow, shaped like small tubes or shells, and fully coated in a creamy orange sauce. The sauce has a smooth texture with small bits of red sun-dried tomatoes mixed in. There are chunks of light brown cooked chicken scattered evenly. Fresh green herbs, including flat and curly leaves, are sprinkled over the top, adding a fresh touch. Cracked black pepper is lightly scattered across the whole dish, adding texture and spots of black. The pasta is served in a white bowl on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe lies in the balance of fresh and pantry ingredients that create a luscious, flavorful sauce to perfectly complement the tender chicken and al dente pasta. Here’s a quick peek at the star ingredients and why I love them:

Flat lay of two medium raw chicken breasts with smooth skin, a small pile of mixed ground spices (salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika) neatly arranged, a few small fresh shallots whole and unpeeled, several cloves of fresh garlic unpeeled, a handful of vibrant sun-dried tomatoes roughly chopped, a bundle of uncooked penne pasta with smooth edges, a small mound of freshly grated Parmesan cheese with fine texture, fresh green parsley and basil sprigs, a small white ceramic bowl with golden olive oil, another small white bowl with creamy half-and-half, a white bowl containing low-sodium chicken broth with pale golden tint, a white bowl with bright red tomato paste, a white bowl holding fine all-purpose flour, a white ceramic dish with crushed chicken bouillon powder, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes in a small white bowl — all arranged in perfect symmetry and realistic proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken breasts: Slicing and gently pounding them ensures even cooking and juicy cutlets perfect for soaking up sauce.
Penne pasta: Its shape holds sauce in every nook, making sure you get a flavorful bite every time.
Sun-dried tomatoes: These add a sweet tang and chewy texture that brightens up the creamy sauce beautifully.
Shallots and garlic: They bring a mild sweetness and savory aroma that form the base of the sauce.
Half and half: Gives the sauce a silky creaminess without being too rich; you can tweak with milk plus cornstarch for a lighter touch.
Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated for melty, nutty goodness—it really elevates the whole dish.
Tomato paste and chicken broth: These enrich the sauce with umami depth and a touch of tang.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I adore about this Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe is how it lends itself to personal tweaks. Over time, I’ve played around with adding fresh spinach or swapping penne for fettuccine, and each time it turns out great. You can absolutely adjust it to your tastes!

Variation: My favorite twist is throwing in some sautéed mushrooms or roasted red peppers for extra veggies and color—it makes it feel even more special.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Pound the Chicken

Start by slicing your chicken breasts horizontally to create four thinner cutlets. Cover each with plastic wrap and gently pound them out until they’re an even thickness. This step is GOLD for preventing dry spots and helping the chicken cook evenly. Pat them dry, season generously with the spice mix, and let them rest while you get everything else ready.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta and Reserve Pasta Water

Boil your penne in well-salted water until just al dente. Before draining, scoop out a cup of pasta water—this little trick keeps your sauce silky and perfect when you toss it all together later. Drain the pasta, drizzle with some olive oil to keep it from sticking, and set aside.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat up the reserved sun-dried tomato oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken cutlets for around 4-5 minutes per side until they develop that beautiful golden-brown crust and reach an internal temp of 160°F. Then, transfer them to rest for at least 5 minutes—this resting time helps keep the juices locked in when you slice them later.

Step 4: Build the Creamy Sauce in the Same Pan

In the same skillet, melt butter into the chicken drippings. Toss in your chopped shallots and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Then, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes for a quick 30-second sauté. Stir in tomato paste and flour and cook for about a minute until the mixture thickens slightly—it smells heavenly here! Slowly whisk in chicken broth and half and half, stirring until the sauce is smooth and starts to thicken.

Step 5: Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Cheese & Final Seasoning

Mix in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, chicken bouillon, and dried herbs. Simmer gently until the sauce thickens just right. Then lower the heat and add Parmesan cheese handful by handful, stirring until melty and silky. It’s the kind of sauce you’ll want to savor straight from the spoon.

Step 6: Combine Pasta, Chicken, and Sauce

Toss in your cooked pasta and sliced chicken, stirring gently to coat everything evenly. If the sauce feels too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to get that perfect creamy consistency. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed, then garnish with fresh parsley or basil if you like.

Top Tip

I’ve made this Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe dozens of times, and here’s what really helps it shine every single time: prepped ingredients and careful attention to sauce thickness.

Prep First: Have everything chopped, grated, and ready before you start cooking so you can move quickly and avoid overcooking the chicken or pasta.
Watch Your Sauce: The tomato paste-flour step is crucial to avoid a runny sauce. Let it thicken properly before adding liquids.
Use Pasta Water: Don’t skip reserving pasta water—it’s liquid gold that keeps the sauce silky and clingy.
Rest Your Chicken: Always rest your chicken after searing to keep it juicy and tender when slicing.

How to Serve Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

Garnishes

I love sprinkling fresh chopped parsley or basil on top just before serving—it adds a burst of color and fresh herbal brightness that cuts through the creamy sauce. If you want to get fancy, a few shavings of extra Parmesan never hurt!

Side Dishes

Something green and crisp balances this dish nicely—think a simple arugula salad with a lemon vinaigrette or roasted broccoli tossed with garlic. Garlic bread or crusty baguette slices also make perfect mop-up companions for that luscious sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I’ve tried plating the pasta nest-style with chicken slices fanned on top, finished with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and a sprinkle of chili flakes to add drama and flavor. It’s stunning and always sparks compliments!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Marry Me Chicken Pasta keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I usually squeeze a little lemon juice over before storing to keep everything bright, then stir well after reheating.

Freezing

Freezing works but with a slight texture change—the sauce can separate a bit. If you want to freeze, cool completely, store in freezer-safe containers, and thaw overnight in the fridge before gently reheating.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. Microwave works too but go slow and stir often to prevent dryness or curdling. The pasta stays deliciously creamy if you’re patient!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of pasta in this Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe?

Absolutely! While penne is great for holding sauce, this recipe works well with fettuccine, rigatoni, or even farfalle. Just adjust the cooking time to ensure your pasta is al dente.

How can I make this recipe dairy-free?

You can swap the half and half with coconut milk or another unsweetened plant-based milk and use a dairy-free butter substitute. Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor if you want to replace Parmesan. The sauce won’t be quite as creamy but still delicious!

Is it possible to prepare the sauce ahead of time?

Yes! You can make the sauce a day in advance and store it in the fridge. When ready to serve, gently reheat it and combine with freshly cooked pasta and chicken. This makes dinner prep super quick.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers without drying out the chicken?

The secret is gentle reheating with a splash of water, broth, or extra sauce to keep things moist. Reheat over low heat on the stove rather than high heat or microwave alone. Stir occasionally to redistribute moisture.

Final Thoughts

This Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it combines simple ingredients into something that feels truly special—like a warm hug on a plate. I hope you find the same joy and comfort in making it for your loved ones or even just yourself. Go ahead, give it a try, and watch your kitchen fill with amazing smells and happy smiles!