Marry Me Chicken Pasta is the kind of rich, creamy, flavor-packed dinner that makes everyone fall in love at first bite. With tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, baby spinach, and rigatoni tossed in a parmesan cream sauce, this one-skillet recipe is everything you crave in a comfort meal.
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Rich and satisfying, this pasta delivers bold flavor and velvety texture in every bite. It all comes together in one pan with minimal effort and is ready in under an hour. Whether you're impressing guests or treating yourself, marry me chicken with pasta is hearty, crave-worthy, and a dish worth making again and again.
If you love creamy, flavor-packed pasta and chicken recipes, you will love this Creamy Chicken Lasagna, Chicken and Gnocchi, Chicken Parmesan Pasta, and this Tuscan Chicken Recipe.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- One-Skillet Simplicity: Everything comes together in a single pan, making cleanup quick and easy-perfect for busy weeknights.
- Rich, Creamy Flavor: The parmesan cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spices delivers deep, crave-worthy taste in every bite.
- Family-Friendly Favorite: Both kids and adults will love it; it's comforting, filling, and packed with familiar flavors.
- Budget-Friendly Ingredients: Made with pantry staples and affordable proteins, this marry me pasta dish feels indulgent yet cost-effective.
Ingredients
- Rigatoni Pasta: Rigatoni is a hearty, tube-shaped pasta that holds sauces well. Make sure to cook it al dente for the perfect texture that won't become mushy when mixed with the sauce.
- Chicken Breasts: Use boneless and skinless chicken breasts to keep the prep minimal. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces for quick, even cooking.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes in Oil: These can be found in the pasta or international foods section of most grocery stores. Look for those packed in oil for the best flavor and texture.
- Heavy Cream & Milk: Heavy cream adds richness and creates a smooth, creamy sauce, while milk helps lighten it up. Make sure to use full-fat heavy cream for the best texture. Both ingredients should be at room temperature to prevent curdling when added to the hot pan.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated parmesan works best for a smooth, melty texture. Pre-grated parmesan can be used in a pinch, but won't melt as seamlessly. Add it slowly to the sauce for a creamy finish.
- Baby Spinach: Fresh spinach wilts beautifully into the sauce, adding a pop of color and freshness. Wash and chop the spinach before adding it to the skillet, letting it wilt into the sauce for a perfect balance of flavor.
- Seasonings: We use a blend of black pepper, onion powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, and red pepper flakes. These spices are the backbone of the sauce's flavor profile. Adjust the salt, pepper, and spices to taste.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta in place of rigatoni. Make sure your chicken broth and any other pre-packaged ingredients are labeled gluten-free to keep the dish fully gluten-free.
- Swap the Chicken for Other Proteins: You can easily customize this recipe by swapping the chicken for other proteins like ground turkey, shrimp, or Italian sausage.
- Pasta with Vegetables: Add extra vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers to the skillet along with the spinach for more texture and flavor. This will create a heartier dish and add additional nutrients.
- Creamy Pesto: Stir in a few tablespoons of basil pesto into the marry me pasta sauce to give it a fresh, herby twist. This adds an extra layer of flavor and makes the dish even more aromatic.
- Lemon Garlic: Add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, a teaspoon of lemon zest, and some extra garlic to the sauce for a bright, citrusy kick with a bolder garlic flavor.
How to Make Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Making marry me chicken and pasta is simple and quick. Start with cooking the pasta according to the package, then follow these easy steps to create a rich, creamy dish.
Step 1: Season and Cook the Chicken. Season the chicken with black pepper, salt, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Cook the chicken in a large skillet over medium high heat for 5-7 minutes, until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set it aside on a plate.
Step 2: Prepare the Sauce. Reduce the heat to medium-low and melt butter in the skillet. Saute the diced onions until soft, then add the sun-dried tomatoes and garlic. Cook for 30 seconds.
Step 3: Make the Creamy Sauce. Add the chicken broth, heavy cream, milk, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, paprika, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Whisk continuously until the sauce starts to bubble. Slowly whisk in parmesan until completely melted.
Step 4: Combine Pasta and Chicken. Add the spinach to the skillet, stirring occasionally until it wilts. Then, toss the cooked pasta and chicken into the sauce to coat everything evenly.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra parmesan cheese, then enjoy your creamy, flavorful meal!
Hint: Chicken Prep Shortcut
To save time, you can use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken breasts. Just shred or chop it and add it to the sauce in the final steps for a quick and flavorful meal.
Expert Tips
- Don't Overcook the Pasta: Make sure to cook the pasta just until al dente. Overcooking it can cause the pasta to become too soft and soggy when combined with the sauce. Drain the pasta right when it's done and give it a quick rinse if you like to stop the cooking process.
- Properly Season the Chicken: Season the chicken generously with salt, pepper, and other spices before cooking to ensure it's flavorful all the way through. The seasoning helps enhance the overall dish and adds depth to the sauce.
- Control the Sauce Consistency: If the sauce becomes too thick after adding the cheese, you can thin it out with a little extra chicken broth or milk to get your desired consistency. If it's too thin, simmer it a little longer to reduce and thicken.
- Wilt the Spinach Gently: Add the spinach last to prevent it from overcooking. Stir occasionally until it wilts, but be careful not to let it cook too long, or it can lose its bright green color and fresh flavor.
- Make Ahead for Busy Nights: If you're short on time, you can cook the pasta and chicken ahead of time. Simply store the cooked components separately in the fridge, and reheat them in the skillet with the sauce when ready to serve for a quick, delicious meal.
Storage Directions
- Storing: Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I do not recommend freezing this dish, as the creamy dairy-based sauce may change texture when thawed and reheated.
- Reheating: Reheat the dish in the microwave on medium heat for 30-60 second intervals, stirring in between, until it is heated through. Alternatively, reheat in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of milk or chicken broth to restore creaminess.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the chicken and sauce a day ahead and store them separately in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, simply cook the pasta and combine everything in the skillet for a quick, delicious meal.
Serving Suggestions
Whether it's a casual weeknight or a special gathering, this one-pot marry me chicken pasta is versatile and easy to pair with a variety of sides.
- Make for a Weeknight Dinner: This easy, comforting dish is perfect for busy weeknights. Pair it with homemade soft garlic breadsticks or a light simple cucumber salad for a full, satisfying meal. Then finish off with a slice of our easy key lime pie for dessert.
- Serve at a Potluck or Dinner Party: This chicken pasta dish will be a crowd-pleaser at your next gathering. Enjoy other favorites like bacon wrapped asparagus and our strawberry pretzel salad recipe.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use any pasta you prefer, such as penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time according to the pasta type.
To make this recipe dairy-free, try substituting the heavy cream and milk with plant-based alternatives like coconut milk or oat milk, and use dairy-free parmesan or another non-dairy cheese.
To prevent the cream sauce from curdling, make sure the heat is on low when adding the dairy products, and continuously whisk as the sauce heats up. Avoid high heat as it can cause the cream to separate.
Yes, you can use frozen spinach. Just make sure to thaw and drain it thoroughly before adding it to the sauce to avoid excess moisture.
More Delicious Chicken Dishes
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Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
Chicken and Pasta
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite sized pieces
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Marry Me Sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ medium yellow onion diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil drained and sliced thin
- ¾ cup low sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup parmesan cheese finely shredded
- 2 cups baby spinach chopped
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Season chicken with black pepper, salt, onion powder, and Italian seasoning.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken and place it on a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and melt butter. Saute onions until soft and transparent. Then, add sundried tomatoes and garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add chicken broth, heavy cream, milk, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Whisk continuously until the sauce starts to bubble. Slowly whisk in parmesan until completely melted.
- Place the spinach in the skillet. Stir occasionally until the spinach starts to wilt. Then, add pasta and chicken to the sauce and toss to coat.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Notes
- For the best texture, cook the pasta until al dente and drain it right away. Overcooked pasta can become too soft when mixed with the creamy sauce.
- Swap the chicken for turkey or even shrimp if you prefer. These proteins will still complement the creamy sauce and sun-dried tomatoes wonderfully.
- To make ahead, prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat with the pasta for a quick, delicious meal.
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
Ryan Allen
This yummy pasta ends up in our weeknight dinner rotation alot. It is one that the entire family loves.