Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Marry me chicken pasta simmers seared chicken in a sun-dried tomato cream sauce with garlic, Parmesan, and basil, then tosses with pasta. Romantic TikTok comfort food that is fully cooked to 165°F and weeknight-doable.
🛒Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 12 ounces penne or fettuccine
- Fresh basil, torn
🔧Kitchen Tools Needed
- Large skillet
- Instant-read thermometer
- Large pot
- Tongs
- Cutting board
📝Instructions
- 1
Season chicken with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a plate; rest and slice.
- 2
In the same skillet, sauté garlic and sun-dried tomatoes 1 minute. Add broth, scrape browned bits, then stir in cream, Parmesan, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- 3
Meanwhile cook pasta in salted water to al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water; drain.
- 4
Return sliced chicken to the sauce. Toss with pasta and pasta water as needed. Finish with basil.
- 5
Serve hot. Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days; reheat gently so the cream sauce does not split.
🥗Nutrition Information
⚡Calories per serving: 680
🏷️Recipe Tags
❓Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called marry me chicken?
The creamy sun-dried tomato sauce is so good people joke it inspires proposals—viral name, real weeknight dinner.
Chicken temperature?
165°F in the thickest part. Pound breasts for even cooking so the sauce wait is short.
Half-and-half instead of cream?
Works but sauce is thinner; simmer a bit longer and add extra Parmesan.
Add spinach?
Stir baby spinach into the sauce for 1 minute before tossing pasta.
Meal prep?
Store sauce and pasta separately for best texture; combine when reheating.
