One Pot Marry Chicken Pasta

This creamy, flavor-packed one-pot pasta transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal that's earned its romantic reputation. The combination of tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan creates a dish so delicious it might just inspire marriage proposals at your dinner table.

I first made this dish for my boyfriend on our third date and two years later, we still laugh about how he jokingly proposed after the first bite. It's become our special celebration meal that always reminds us of that night.

Ingredients

• Boneless chicken breasts: Cut into pieces allows for quick cooking and ensures tender meat in every bite
• Penne pasta: Works perfectly to hold the creamy sauce in its ridges and tubes
• Heavy cream: Creates the luscious base for the sauce without requiring a separate roux
• Sun-dried tomatoes: Packed in oil bring intense sweet-tangy flavor and beautiful color contrast
• Fresh garlic and onion: Form the aromatic foundation that elevates the entire dish
• Italian seasoning: Saves time while providing a perfect herb blend for Mediterranean flavors
• Red pepper flakes: Add a gentle warmth that balances the richness of the sauce
• Parmesan cheese: Melts beautifully into the sauce creating depth and umami
• Fresh basil: Brightens the dish with its aromatic qualities and beautiful color
• Lemon zest: Cuts through the richness with subtle citrus notes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sear the Chicken:

Season chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper before adding to hot oil. Allow them to develop a golden crust without moving them too much, about 2 minutes per side. They should not be fully cooked at this stage as they'll finish cooking later in the sauce. The partial cooking ensures juicy chicken that won't dry out.

Build the Flavor Base:

Cook the diced onions in the same pot where you seared the chicken, taking advantage of those browned bits of flavor. Look for the onions to become translucent but not brown. When adding garlic, keep stirring constantly as it burns quickly and can turn bitter. The aroma will become fragrant when it's perfectly cooked.

Add Aromatics:

Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes while the pan is still hot to bloom their flavors. This releases the essential oils in the dried herbs and intensifies their impact on the final dish. The oil from the sun-dried tomatoes will also infuse with these flavors.

Create the Cooking Liquid:

Pour chicken broth into the hot pan and immediately scrape the bottom with a wooden spoon to release all the flavorful caramelized bits. This deglazing step is crucial for developing depth of flavor throughout the entire dish. The uncooked pasta will absorb these flavors as it cooks.

Cook the Pasta:

Maintain a gentle simmer rather than a rolling boil to prevent the pasta from becoming mushy. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking but not too often which can release too much starch and make the sauce gummy. The pasta should still have a slight firmness when you return the chicken to the pot.

Finish Cooking Chicken:

Return the partially cooked chicken pieces to the pot, distributing them evenly among the pasta. They'll finish cooking gently in the simmering liquid, absorbing flavor while remaining tender. Check a piece by cutting into it to ensure it's no longer pink inside.

Create the Sauce:

Lower the heat before adding cream to prevent curdling. The lemon zest should be added with the cream so its oils infuse into the fat. Add the parmesan gradually while stirring to create a smooth sauce without clumping. The heat from the pasta and liquid will melt it perfectly.

Final Flavoring:

Incorporate most of the fresh basil at the end to preserve its bright color and flavor. Stirring it into the hot pasta wilts it just enough to release its aroma without destroying its delicate nature. Taste and adjust seasoning remembering that parmesan adds saltiness.

Rest and Serve:

Allow the dish to rest briefly off the heat which lets the sauce thicken slightly and flavors meld together. The pasta will also absorb a bit more of the sauce during this time. Garnish just before serving for the freshest presentation.

Save

The sun-dried tomatoes are truly the secret star of this dish. I discovered their transformative power years ago when trying to recreate a restaurant pasta. They add this incredible sweet-sour depth that makes people wonder what your secret ingredient is. My husband now requests this dish for every special occasion, and I always add extra sun-dried tomatoes just for him.

Make Ahead and Storage

This dish stores beautifully in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually continue to develop overnight, making it arguably even better the next day. When reheating, add a splash of cream or chicken broth to rejuvenate the sauce as the pasta will have absorbed some of the liquid. Gentle microwave heating with occasional stirring works well, or slowly reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat.

Perfect Substitutions

This recipe welcomes many adaptations based on what you have available. Rotisserie chicken works beautifully for an even quicker version simply add it with the cream near the end. Spinach can be stirred in during the final minutes for added color and nutrition. If you don't have sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers provide a similar sweet flavor profile. For a lighter version, half and half can replace the heavy cream, though the sauce won't be quite as rich.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this creamy pasta with a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon and olive oil to cut through the richness. A crusty garlic bread makes an excellent accompaniment for soaking up every last bit of the delicious sauce. For wine pairing, choose a crisp Pinot Grigio or light Chardonnay that complements the creamy texture without overwhelming the delicate flavors. This dish makes an impressive yet easy date night dinner when you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.

The Origin Story

Marry Me Chicken originated in Italian-American kitchens as a dish so delicious it would inspire marriage proposals. The original version was typically a simpler chicken dish with cream and sun-dried tomatoes. This one pot pasta adaptation maintains those key flavors while simplifying the cooking process. The combination of savory chicken, sweet tomatoes, and rich cream creates a perfect balance that has made this dish a staple on restaurant menus and in home kitchens across America.

Gentle microwave heating with occasional stirring works well, or slowly reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use different pasta shapes for this dish?

Yes! While penne works well because it holds the sauce nicely, you can substitute any medium-sized pasta shape like fusilli, rotini, farfalle, or rigatoni. Just adjust cooking time slightly based on package instructions.

→ How can I make this dish lighter?

To create a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or whole milk for the heavy cream (though the sauce won't be quite as rich). You can also reduce the amount of parmesan cheese or use part-skim mozzarella for some of it.

→ Can I make this ahead of time?

This dish is best served fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. When reheating, add a splash of milk or cream to refresh the sauce, as pasta tends to absorb liquid when stored.

→ What vegetables can I add to this dish?

Great additions include baby spinach (stirred in at the end until wilted), roasted red peppers, sautéed mushrooms, or artichoke hearts. For a pop of color and freshness, add halved cherry tomatoes in the last few minutes of cooking.

→ Why is it called 'Marry Me Chicken'?

The dish earned its name because it's supposedly so delicious that serving it might prompt a marriage proposal! The combination of creamy sauce, tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and perfectly balanced flavors creates a meal that's both impressive and irresistible.

→ Is there a way to make this dairy-free?

To make a dairy-free version, substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or a dairy-free cooking cream. Replace the parmesan with nutritional yeast or a dairy-free parmesan alternative for that savory, cheesy flavor.