Marry Me Chicken Pasta – Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Romantic Dinner

This Marry Me Chicken Pasta is the ultimate romantic dinner recipe that’s gone viral for good reason. With creamy Parmesan sauce, sun dried tomatoes, and tender chicken, it’s restaurant-quality comfort food that comes together in one pan in just 30 minutes. Perfect for date nights, weeknight dinners, or anytime you want to impress someone special.

What makes this recipe so irresistible is the perfect balance of flavors – the rich creaminess from the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, the savory depth from garlic and herbs, and the sweet-tart punch from sun dried tomatoes. It’s comfort food elevated to fine dining status.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 8 oz penne pasta or fettuccine
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup sun dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.

Step 2: While pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.

Step 3: In the same skillet, add garlic and sun dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4: Reduce heat to medium and add heavy cream, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 5: Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and sauce is smooth. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.

Step 6: Return cooked chicken to the skillet along with drained pasta. Toss everything together until well coated in the creamy sauce.

Step 7: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve immediately.

Expert Tips for Perfect Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Pan Selection Matters: Use a large, heavy-bottomed skillet to ensure even cooking and prevent the sauce from burning. A good quality pan makes all the difference in achieving that restaurant-worthy finish.

Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Cook chicken just until no longer pink inside – this keeps it tender and juicy. Overcooked chicken can become dry and rubbery.

Sauce Consistency: The reserved pasta water is your secret weapon for achieving the perfect creamy consistency. The starches in the water help the sauce cling beautifully to the pasta.

Looking for more chicken pasta inspiration? Try this Cajun Chicken Spaghetti for a spicy twist, or our Creamy Rotisserie Chicken Pasta for an even quicker weeknight option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this dish ahead of time? Yes! You can prepare the sauce and cook the chicken ahead of time, then combine with freshly cooked pasta when ready to serve. Reheat gently to prevent the cream sauce from breaking.

What pasta works best with this recipe? Penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni work best as they have surfaces that hold the creamy sauce well. For a lighter option, try it with zucchini noodles.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free? Yes, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese. The flavor profile will be different but still delicious.

If you love creamy pasta dishes, don’t miss our Creamy Salmon Spinach Pasta for another quick gourmet dinner option.

This Marry Me Chicken Pasta truly lives up to its name – it’s so good it might just lead to a marriage proposal! The combination of creamy Parmesan sauce, savory chicken, and tangy sun dried tomatoes creates a flavor-packed pasta dish that’s perfect for special occasions or elevating an ordinary weeknight dinner.

Marry Me Chicken Pasta – Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Romantic Dinner

This Marry Me Chicken Pasta is the ultimate romantic dinner recipe featuring creamy Parmesan sauce, sun dried tomatoes, and tender chicken. It’s restaurant-quality comfort food that comes together in one pan in just 30 minutes, perfect for date nights or impressing someone special.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 650

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 8 oz penne pasta or fettuccine
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup sun dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Method

 

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
2. While pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add garlic and sun dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Reduce heat to medium and add heavy cream, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
5. Add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and sauce is smooth. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
6. Return cooked chicken to the skillet along with drained pasta. Toss everything together until well coated in the creamy sauce.
7. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

Use a large, heavy-bottomed skillet for even cooking. Don’t overcook the chicken. Use reserved pasta water to achieve perfect sauce consistency.