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Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

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5 from 149 reviews

Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish combining tender shredded chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce served over perfectly cooked pasta. This comforting dish blends savory Italian-inspired ingredients with a hint of spice, making it an ideal meal for weeknight dinners or special occasions alike.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 ounces uncooked pasta

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 tablespoon flour
  • 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1/3 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Protein & Garnish

  • 2 cups cooked or rotisserie chicken, shredded
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1 small handful fresh basil, torn or chopped

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Create the roux and build the sauce base: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Sprinkle the flour over the melted butter and whisk continuously for about 1-2 minutes to form a smooth roux, ensuring the flour is lightly cooked but not browned.
  3. Sauté garlic and add tomato paste: Add the minced garlic to the roux and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another minute to develop its flavor.
  4. Deglaze the pan: Pour in the dry white wine or chicken broth to deglaze the skillet, scraping up any browned bits. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
  5. Add cream and seasonings: Stir in the heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, and season with salt and pepper. Let the mixture simmer gently until it thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
  6. Incorporate chicken and cheese: Add the shredded cooked chicken and grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce. Stir well to combine, allowing the cheese to melt and the chicken to heat through for 2-3 minutes.
  7. Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat the noodles evenly with the creamy sauce.
  8. Finish with basil and serve: Remove from heat and stir in the fresh torn or chopped basil. Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

  • For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half but expect a slightly thinner sauce.
  • Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil can be used for extra richness; just drain before adding.
  • If you prefer a spicier kick, increase the crushed red pepper flakes to ½ teaspoon.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
  • Substitute chicken broth for white wine to make this recipe alcohol-free.