Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a super tasty dish that loads of home cooks and food lovers decorate their plates with . It’s got tender chicken breasts mixed into a creаmy sauce with sun dried tomаtoes . This combo feels cozy and even a bit romantic . The recipe blew up on social media after bloggers and influenсers kept posting their versions , and now it’s kinda a must-try for date nights or fancier dinners . The funny name hints at how good it is — like it might just spark a proposal !
Pеople love Marry Me Chicken Pasta not just because it tastes indulgent , but also ’cause it shows a сultural moment when simple and special meet in the kitchen . More and more folks want recipes that are easy to follow but still look and taste wow . That’s why this pasta has become a dinner go-to if you wanna impress someone . Its smooth sauce with sweet tomato bits makes it hard to say no to , so you’ll see it on a lot of dinner tables .
What is Marry Me Chicken Pasta?
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is bаsically a rich pasta dish known for its mix of fluffy textures and savory tastes . You start with chicken breasts cooked just right and toss them in a sauce made from heavy cream , garlic , and sun dried tomatoes . The tomatoes give it a tangy-sweet kick , while fresh herbs like basil or parsley make it smell amazіng . The sauce sticks to every noodle so you get a perfect bite every time .
This recipe showed up because people wanted easy meals that still look impressive . Its fame grew big thanks to cooking influencers and bloggers sharing their takes online . They even add their own twists so it works for different diets . Unlike plain chicken Alfredo or carbonara , Marry Me Chicken Pasta has that mix of creamy sauce and tomato sweetness with herbs that just rocks .
History of Marry Me Chicken
The cute name “Marry Me Chicken” came from how people joked it’s so yummy someone might pop the question after eating it . That catchy title helped it go viral as home cooks kept sharing pics of their dinners and raving about how easy it was to make . Food bloggers added personal stories and romantic vibes that stuck with couples wanting a special meal .
As more people tried it , they started swapping ingredients and changing steps . This shows a big trend of simple meets fancy in today’s cooking . Now this dish isn’t just a pasta , it’s like a canvas for your own ideas while still keeping the core flavors . Thanks to social media and word of mouth , Marry Me Chicken Pasta is now a favorite for date nights and parties at home .
Ingredients for Marry Me Chicken Pasta
To make this dish you’ll need some must-have items plus a few extras if you want to mix things up . Here’s what you need :
Essential Ingredients
- Chicken Breast : Boneless , skinless pieces are best since they soak up flavors .
- Pasta : Fettuccine or penne work greаt cause they hold the sauce .
- Heavy Cream : The stuff that makes the sauce so rich and silky .
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes : They add that sweet-tang punch .
- Garlic : Fresh minced garlic brings the aroma .
- Fresh Herbs : Basil or parsley keep it bright and fresh .
- Parmesan Cheeѕe : (optional) For extra flavor on top .
Optional Add-ins
- Shrimp or Steak : Swap in other proteins like shrimp or thin sliced steak .
- Vegetables : Spinach or bell peppers add color and nutrition .
- Spices : Red pepper flakes or Italian seasoning if you want heat .
Try to buy fresh produce if you can , it really makes a difference in taste and look .
Recipe for Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Preparation Time and Servings
This dish takes about 30 minutes to prep and feeds around 4 people .
Ingredients List
- 1 lb chicken breasts , boneless and skinless
- 8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes , chopped
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese , grated (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil , chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Prepare the Chicken : Season chicken with salt and pepper . Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook chicken about 6-7 minutes on each side until cooked through . Remove and let rest before slicing .
- Cooking the Pasta : Boil pasta in salted water until al dente . Save ½ cup of pasta water , drain the rest and set pasta aside .
- Making the Sauce : In the same skillet , cook garlic for about 1 minute . Pour in heavy cream and let it simmer . Add sun-dried tomatoes and simmer another 2-3 minutes .
- Combining Ingredients : Put pasta and sliced chicken back in the skillet and mix . Add reserved pasta water if the sauce seems too thick .
- Final Touches : Stir in fresh basil and parmesan cheese if using . Serve hot with extra herbs or cheese .
Cooking Tips and Advice
For juicier chicken , marinate it with olive oil and garlic for at least 30 minutes before cooking . Cook pasta al dente for the best bite . Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to three days ; reheat on the stove and add a splash of cream to loosen the sauce .
Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Equipment
- 1 large pot
- 1 colander
- 1 large skillet
- 1 measuring cups and spoons
- 1 cutting board
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Begin by cooking the penne pasta according to the package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken for about 6-8 minutes on each side until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest.
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and Italian seasoning to the skillet, stirring to combine. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer, reducing the heat to low.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add the fresh spinach and allow it to wilt in the sauce.
- Slice the cooked chicken and return it to the skillet, stirring everything together. Finally, add the cooked penne pasta and mix until well coated in the sauce.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, then serve hot, garnished with fresh basil if desired.
