30-Minute Marry Me Chicken Pasta Joy

I know exactly what it feels like when you need a showstopper meal, but you only have thirty minutes before the doorbell rings or bedtime looms. That’s why I’m absolutely thrilled to share my version of the viral sensation: the most incredible, soul-satisfying **marry me chicken pasta**. This dish proves that incredible, soul-satisfying food doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s rich, it’s got those gorgeous pops of sun-dried tomato, and everything comes together so quickly on the stovetop. For me, this creamy chicken pasta is the definition of pure cooking joy, transforming a busy Tuesday into something that feels genuinely special enough for a date night.

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If you’re looking for truly effortless weeknight dinners that taste like they came from a fancy Italian place, this is the recipe you need to bookmark right now. Trust me, this is the simple chicken dish that might just get you proposing to your own cooking skills!

Why This Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta Is a Must-Make

Seriously, why is this recipe so popular? Because it nails the trifecta: incredible flavor, unbelievable speed, and serious wow-factor. You get that deep, savory depth that tastes like it simmered all day, but we are getting it done fast.

• It’s the ultimate Gourmet Quick Dinner—restaurant quality in minutes.
• The sun-dried tomato and Parmesan combination makes it perfect for Romantic Dinner Recipes.
• It satisfies that deep craving for ultimate Comfort Food Chicken!

Gather Your Ingredients for Marry Me Chicken Pasta

I always say, great pasta starts with great ingredients, and for this **marry me chicken pasta**, the quality really shows through. Don’t stress, though; these are all pretty standard things you can grab on a quick run to the store. Getting the chicken prepared right is half the battle!

We need fresh components for the best result, especially since this meal comes together so fast. Here’s what you need to have on hand:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced in half horizontally
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional, for dredging)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and roughly chopped
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1 cup cooked pasta (like penne or rigatoni)

Honestly, using high-quality Parmesan here makes a huge difference in the smoothness of that final sauce. Don’t skimp on the good stuff when making your **marry me chicken pasta**!

Expert Tips for Perfect Marry Me Chicken Pasta

I want your **marry me chicken pasta** to look and taste like something you’d pay big money for at a restaurant. A lot of my best trial-and-error moments taught me a few tricks that really elevate this dish without adding any real stress to your cooking time. Whether you’re making this for a quiet night in or trying to keep up with hungry kids, these tips make the difference between good and truly unforgettable.

One big time-saver here is using rotisserie chicken! If you skip searing the breasts, just shred up a store-bought chicken and fold that into the sauce in Step 7. Makes it one of those true quick chicken dinners.

Achieving the Best Chicken Sear

When you’re searing those seasoned cutlets in Step 2, crank that heat up to medium-high, but be careful! You want that beautiful golden-brown exterior quickly. The absolute rule is: do not crowd the pan. If your skillet is too packed, the chicken steams instead of searing, and you won’t get that fantastic crust. Cook in batches if you need to, my friend.

Building the Parmesan Cream Sauce for Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Okay, this is essential for that gourmet flavor in your **marry me chicken pasta**! When you add the broth in Step 4, use your spoon to aggressively scrape up every last browned bit stuck to the bottom of the pan. That is called fond, and it’s pure flavor gold—it’s what makes the sauce deep and savory. Then, when you add the heavy cream and Parmesan later, keep the heat low. Too high, and you’ll end up with grainy sauce instead of silky smooth goodness.

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Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Alright, let’s get cooking! Since we’re aiming for that amazing **marry me chicken pasta** in just about 30 minutes total, movement is key here. Make sure your pasta is already cooking or cooked and ready to go before you even turn on the stove. Prepping the chicken while the water boils is the secret to speeding this up!

First things first, get your chicken breasts seasoned up perfectly. If you decided to lightly dredge them in flour for a slightly thicker coating—which I highly recommend—give them a gentle shake to knock off the excess. Remember, we aren’t making fried chicken here; it’s just a light dusting!

Heat your butter and oil in a big skillet over medium-high heat until it looks shimmering. Now, lay those chicken pieces in and let them work their magic for about 4 to 6 minutes on each side. You want that lovely golden color and for them to be cooked through, about 165°F inside. Take them out, put them on a plate, and don’t wipe that pan clean—we need those delicious browned bits!

Drop the heat down to medium, toss in your minced garlic, and cook it for just 30 seconds until you can really smell it. Quick! Next, pour in that chicken broth and use your spoon to scrape up all those smoky little bits stuck to the pan bottom. You are building flavor foundation right there!

Toss in your chopped sun-dried tomatoes and the heavy cream. Let that simmer gently, then bring the heat down to low and stir in the Parmesan cheese until everything smooths out nicely. Give it a taste test—you might need a bit more salt there. Finally, slide that cooked chicken back in, spoon that gorgeous sauce over the top, and if you’re following the full recipe, stir in your pre-cooked pasta now until every piece is smothered in that rich creamy chicken pasta sauce. Let it all marry together for 2 or 3 minutes, stir in the fresh basil off the heat, and dinner is served!

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Making Marry Me Chicken Pasta a One Pot Chicken Pasta Meal

Now, I know some of you out there are chasing the dream of the true one pot chicken pasta—and I totally get it! Less cleanup is always a win in my book. Moving this recipe into one pot requires just one small adjustment to our timing, but it keeps all that amazing flavor locked into your **marry me chicken pasta** sauce.

Here’s the deal: If you want to ditch the extra pot for boiling pasta, you need to swap out that 1 cup of chicken broth for about 3 or 4 cups of liquid total, depending on your pasta shape. Add your dry pasta in when you add the heavy cream and sun-dried tomatoes (Step 5). Let it simmer gently, stirring frequently—I mean *frequently*—so it doesn’t stick to the bottom! You just need enough extra liquid for the pasta to cook completely and absorb what it needs.

The chicken still needs to cook separately first to get that gorgeous sear, so we aren’t cheating there! But adding the pasta into the final sauce saves you washing that big pasta pot. It’s a great way to get a rich, creamy finish!

Serving Suggestions for This Italian Inspired Pasta

That creamy sauce is so luxurious, you immediately know this is a fantastic Date Night Dinner Idea, right? Because the **marry me chicken pasta** is so rich, you want sides that feel light and fresh without competing with the Parmesan and sun-dried tomatoes.

I usually keep it simple. A huge, crisp green salad dressed with a bright lemon vinaigrette just cuts through that richness beautifully. Alternatively, you simply cannot beat tearing off a hunk of crusty bread—or even better, some warm homemade naan—to soak up every last drop of that magnificent cream sauce!

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Storing Leftovers of Your Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Even though this **marry me chicken pasta** is so good you might not have leftovers, life happens! Don’t worry about saving it. Keep any remaining pasta and the chicken tucked away in an airtight container in the fridge. It should be good for about three days.

When you reheat it later, the cream sauce can sometimes look a little stiff or separated—that happens with dairy! To fix it up, just add a small splash of milk or extra chicken broth while gently warming it in a saucepan over low heat. A little stir brings that creamy texture right back, making it feel like a fresh, comforting meal again!

Frequently Asked Questions About Marry Me Chicken Pasta

I totally get it, cooking something new always brings up questions! I’ve tried a few variations on this **marry me chicken pasta** over the years, so let me address the common things that pop up when people are getting ready to make it. The goal is always rich flavor and minimal fuss, whether you’re looking for a fabulous Simple Chicken Dish or just a quick change-up.

If heavy cream is an issue for you, you can try substituting half the amount with whole milk, but honestly, the texture for this specific **Parmesan Cream Sauce Pasta** relies on that richness. Just be aware it will be thinner!

Can I make this Marry Me Chicken Recipe without sun-dried tomatoes?

You absolutely can! The sun-dried tomatoes give our **Marry Me Chicken Recipe** that specific sweet-tart complexity, but if you don’t have them, try using jarred roasted red peppers that you chop up finely. It changes the flavor to be a little sweeter, but it’s still delicious!

Is this a good Easy Weeknight Chicken Dinner option?

Oh, yes, this is perhaps the best Easy Weeknight Chicken Dinner I’ve found! Since the actual hands-on time is so fast—under 20 minutes of cooking—it fits perfectly into the Thirty Minute Meals category once your pasta is cooked and ready to go.

Sharing Your Pure Cooking Joy

Well, that’s it! You’ve made what I consider one of the best romantic dinner recipes out there. I truly hope you loved every creamy, saucy bite of your **marry me chicken pasta**! Please leave me a rating and tell me in the comments how it went. I always love seeing your creations—tag me on social media when you share!

Come join the fun over on Facebook at Pure Cooking Joy!

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Marry Me Chicken Pasta

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I am so glad you are here. This recipe proves that incredible, soul-satisfying food does not need to be complicated. Make this creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta for a romantic dinner or an easy weeknight meal that everyone will love.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 20 min
• Total Time: 30 min
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian Inspired
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced in half horizontally
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional, for dredging)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and roughly chopped
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1 cup cooked pasta (like penne or rigatoni)

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Instructions

1. Season the chicken cutlets with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and oregano. If you want a slightly thicker sauce coating, lightly dredge the chicken in flour, shaking off any excess.
2. Heat the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4 to 6 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
3. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not let it burn.
4. Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the broth simmer and reduce slightly for about 1 minute.
5. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
6. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Taste the sauce and add more salt or pepper if needed.
7. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Spoon the sauce over the chicken. If you are adding pasta, stir the cooked pasta into the sauce now until everything is coated.
8. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to allow the flavors to combine. Stir in the fresh basil just before serving. Serve immediately.

Notes

• You can use rotisserie chicken if you want to save time on cooking the chicken breasts separately. Shred or dice it and add it back in with the cream sauce.
• If you prefer a less rich sauce, substitute half of the heavy cream with whole milk, though the texture will be thinner.
• For a touch of heat, add 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes when you add the garlic.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 650
• Sugar: 4
• Sodium: 550
• Fat: 40
• Saturated Fat: 22
• Unsaturated Fat: 10
• Trans Fat: 1
• Carbohydrates: 35
• Fiber: 2
• Protein: 40
• Cholesterol: 180