Description

Tasty Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, comforting dish featuring tender, seasoned chicken pieces combined with al dente penne pasta, all enveloped in a rich sauce made from sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and a blend of Italian seasonings. Finished with fresh basil for a burst of freshness, this recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal that’s simple enough for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

For the chicken:

1 tbsp olive oil
1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to even thickness
0.5 tsp salt
0.25 tsp pepper

For the pasta:

10 oz penne pasta

For the sauce:

1 cup drained sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed for best flavor)
3 tbsp butter (Kerrygold recommended for richness)
2 cups chicken broth
2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp paprika
1 cup heavy cream (room temperature)
3 tbsp flour
2 tsp minced garlic (fresh preferred)

For the garnish:

Fresh basil leaves, torn just before serving

Instructions

Cook the pasta: Boil the penne pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside while you prepare the chicken and sauce.
Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken into 1-inch bite-sized pieces and season them with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook for 6–8 minutes until they are no longer pink and cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the flour to form a paste. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, then add the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until smooth. Stir in the drained sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Allow the sauce to simmer for a few minutes until it thickens.
Combine pasta and chicken with sauce: Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta into the sauce in the skillet. Stir thoroughly to coat everything evenly with the creamy sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper if needed.
Garnish and serve: Garnish the finished dish with torn fresh basil leaves and, if desired, sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor and presentation. Serve immediately for best taste and texture.

Notes

Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for the best flavor and richer sauce.
Pounding the chicken to an even thickness helps it cook uniformly and stay tender.
Use fresh minced garlic for a better aromatic flavor in the sauce.
Kerrygold butter is recommended for a richer, creamier sauce but can be substituted with regular unsalted butter.
If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen it.
This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Marry Me Chicken, creamy chicken pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, penne pasta recipe, Italian chicken pasta, easy dinner recipes