Marry Me Chicken Pasta (One-Pot, 30 Minutes)

Name: Marry Me Chicken Pasta (One-Pot, 30 Minutes)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 lb (450g) chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; Salt and black pepper; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, sliced; 1 teaspoon paprika; 3 cups (720ml) chicken broth; 12 oz (340g) penne pasta; 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream; 3/4 cup grated parmesan; 2 cups baby spinach; Fresh basil for serving

Mars here. The internet named this dish, but my kitchen confirmed it — one bite of that creamy sun-dried tomato sauce and you understand the hype.

Tender chicken and penne in a creamy, garlicky sun-dried tomato parmesan sauce — the viral Marry Me Chicken, turned into a true one-pot pasta dinner ready in 30 minutes.

Why This Recipe Works

One pot, real flavor: the pasta cooks directly in the broth and chicken drippings, so the starch thickens the sauce and nothing is wasted.
Sun-dried tomatoes lead: their concentrated sweet-tang is the signature of the dish — no fresh tomato can replace it.
Cream added late: stirring it in after the pasta cooks keeps the sauce silky instead of boiled and heavy.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Chicken: breasts are traditional; thighs are even juicier and harder to overcook.
Sun-dried tomatoes: use the oil-packed jar, and cook the garlic in a spoonful of that oil for extra depth.
Parmesan: grate it fresh — pre-shredded cheese makes the sauce grainy.

How to Make It — Step by Step

Step 1: Season the chicken with Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.

Step 2: Sear the chicken in olive oil over medium-high heat until golden, about 5 minutes, then push to one side.

Step 3: Add garlic, sun-dried tomatoes and paprika; cook 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4: Pour in the broth, scrape the bottom, and stir in the penne. Cover and simmer 12-14 minutes, stirring twice.

Step 5: Lower the heat, stir in cream and parmesan until silky.

Step 6: Fold in spinach until wilted, taste for salt, and finish with fresh basil.

What to Serve With Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Plated marry me chicken pasta served in a white bowl

Garlic bread and a sharp green salad are all it needs. If creamy pasta is your love language, try my Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta or the Easy Creamy Garlic Chicken next.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called Marry Me Chicken?

The original viral recipe claimed the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce was proposal-worthy. The name stuck — and honestly, it is not far off.

Can I use a different pasta shape?

Any short shape works — rigatoni, fusilli, shells. Adjust simmer time to about 2 minutes under the package directions and test.

Can I make it lighter?

Swap the cream for half-and-half plus a teaspoon of flour cooked with the garlic. The sauce will be thinner but still delicious.

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Marry Me Chicken Pasta (One-Pot, 30 Minutes)

Why This Recipe Works

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

How to Make It — Step by Step