Table of Contents
introduction
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, slightly spicy pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, chicken, and parmesan. It cooks fast and tastes rich. Want a slow cooker option? Try the slow cooker version of Marry Me Chicken Pasta for an easy hands-off method.
why make this recipe
This dish is quick, comforting, and full of flavor. It uses simple pantry ingredients and cooked chicken, so you can have dinner ready in about 30 minutes. It pleases picky eaters and works for a weeknight meal or a date night.
how to make Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Follow the steps in the Directions section below. The sauce starts with butter and flour, then moves to garlic, tomato paste, and wine or broth. You add cream, sun-dried tomatoes, herbs, and shredded chicken. Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce and finish with parmesan and basil. For extra tips and the original notes, see the Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe page.
Ingredients :
8 ounces uncooked pasta, 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, 2 cups cooked/rotisserie chicken, shredded, 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, 1 small handful fresh basil, torn/chopped, Salt and pepper to taste
Directions :
Boil a salted pot of water for the pasta and cook it al dente according to package directions. When the pasta is about 10 minutes away from being done, add the butter to a skillet over medium heat. Once it melts, sprinkle the flour in and cook for about a minute, stirring often. Add in the garlic, tomato paste, and wine. Give it a good stir and let it bubble for about one minute. Whisk in the cream, then stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, red pepper flakes, and chicken, and cook it for a few minutes until the sauce has thickened to your liking. Stir in the parmesan and basil and take the skillet off the heat. Season generously with salt and pepper. Prior to draining the pasta, reserve some of the hot pasta water. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss until coated. If needed, pour in a splash of the hot pasta water to the sauce to thin it out a bit. Serve immediately with more parmesan if desired.
how to serve Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Serve hot from the pan. Add extra grated parmesan and torn basil on top. Pair with a simple green salad, crusty bread, or steamed vegetables. A light red wine or a crisp white wine goes well with the creamy sauce.
how to store Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Cool the pasta to room temperature, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat with a splash of cream or pasta water to loosen the sauce. Do not freeze cooked cream-based pasta; it can separate and become grainy.
tips to make Marry Me Chicken Pasta
- Use cooked or rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce thickness.
- If you skip wine, use low-sodium chicken broth for flavor.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper at the end.
- Warm the cream slightly before adding to avoid chilling the pan and to help the sauce thicken smoothly.
variation (if any)
- Make it vegetarian: omit chicken and add mushrooms or roasted vegetables.
- Add spinach for color and extra nutrients.
- Use turkey or leftover roast meat instead of chicken.
- For more heat, add more crushed red pepper flakes.
FAQs
Q: Can I use light cream instead of heavy cream?
A: You can, but the sauce will be thinner and less rich. Cook it a bit longer to help thicken.
Q: Can I make this without sun-dried tomatoes?
A: Yes. You can use cherry tomatoes or omit them, but the flavor will change. Add a bit more tomato paste for color.
Q: How do I keep the pasta from getting dry when reheating?
A: Reheat on the stove with a splash of cream or reserved pasta water. Heat slowly and stir until smooth.
Q: Can I prepare the sauce ahead of time?
A: You can make the sauce and store it in the fridge for one day. Reheat slowly and add pasta just before serving.
Q: Is this dish spicy?
A: It is mildly spicy from the crushed red pepper. Reduce or skip the red pepper flakes if you want no heat.
Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
Method
- Boil a salted pot of water for the pasta and cook it al dente according to package directions.
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Sprinkle the flour in and cook for about a minute, stirring often.
- Add in the garlic, tomato paste, and wine/broth, stirring and letting it bubble for about one minute.
- Whisk in the cream, then stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, red pepper flakes, and chicken.
- Cook for a few minutes until the sauce has thickened to your liking.
- Stir in the parmesan and basil, then take the skillet off the heat.
- Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Before draining the pasta, reserve some of the hot pasta water.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce and toss until coated.
- If needed, pour in a splash of the hot pasta water to the sauce to thin it out.
- Serve immediately with extra grated parmesan if desired.
