This Marry Me Chicken Pasta is everything you want in a comforting pasta dish — rich, creamy, incredibly flavorful, and downright delicious!
Juicy, perfectly seasoned chicken, sweet and tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and tender spinach come together with penne pasta in a luscious Parmesan cream sauce.
Every bite is loaded with flavor, and it’s the kind of dinner that tastes like something you’d order at your favorite restaurant!
What makes my version extra special? The seasoning! Our Jacmel and Delmas seasoning blends bring a delicious depth of flavor to both the chicken and the sauce, while a little fresh lemon zest adds just the right touch of brightness to balance all that creamy goodness.
And here’s a little tip — don’t throw away that pasta water! It’s the secret to getting that silky, velvety sauce that clings to every piece of pasta. Whether you’re making dinner for the family or planning something special, this is one recipe you’ll want to make again and again. ❤️
You’ll Find This Recipe To Be
Rich and creamy: Heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and butter create a delicious sauce.
Full of flavor: Sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and our signature seasoning blends make every bite delicious.
A complete meal: Chicken, pasta, and spinach come together in one satisfying dish.
Easy to customize: Use penne, rigatoni, or your favorite pasta.
Great for family dinners: A comforting meal that’s also special enough for date night.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make this creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta.
Chicken breasts: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces so it cooks quickly and mixes easily with the pasta.
Penne pasta: I love penne because the sauce gets inside the pasta. Rigatoni or fusilli will also work.
Sun-dried tomatoes: Add a slightly tangy, concentrated tomato flavor that balances the creamy sauce. Chop them into smaller pieces for even distribution.
Butter and olive oil: Used to cook the chicken and build the sauce. The butter adds richness, while the olive oil helps with sautéing.
Jacmel and Delmas seasoning blends: These give the chicken and sauce their savory flavor. Jacmel is used in both the chicken and sauce, while Delmas adds another layer of seasoning.
All-purpose flour: Helps thicken the sauce so it coats the pasta.
Heavy cream: Creates the rich, creamy base of the sauce.
Parmesan cheese: Adds a savory, slightly nutty flavor and helps bring the sauce together. Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly.
Tomato paste: Deepens the tomato flavor and gives the sauce a beautiful color.
Shallot and garlic: Add aromatic flavor to the sauce. You can substitute a small onion for the shallot.
Fresh spinach: Adds color and freshness. It wilts right into the warm sauce.
Lemon zest: Brightens the finished dish without making the sauce taste overly lemony.
Red pepper flakes: Optional, but perfect if you enjoy a little heat.
Reserved pasta water: The starchy cooking water helps loosen the sauce and allows it to cling to the pasta.
See the recipe card below for the full ingredient measurements.
FAQ
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy chicken pasta dish typically made with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and a rich cream sauce. It’s inspired by the popular Marry Me Chicken recipe.
Absolutely! Penne, rigatoni, fusilli, or fettuccine all work well. Choose a pasta that holds the creamy sauce.
Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well and have a slightly richer flavor. Cut them into bite-sized pieces and cook them thoroughly.
Tips for the Best Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Don’t overcook the chicken. Bite-sized chicken pieces cook quickly. Remove them once they reach 165°F so they stay tender.
Save the pasta water. This is one of the easiest ways to keep the sauce creamy without adding more heavy cream.
Use freshly grated Parmesan. It melts more smoothly than some pre-shredded varieties.
Keep the heat low when adding the cheese. High heat can cause a cream-based sauce to become grainy or separate.
Adjust the sauce consistency. If it becomes too thick, stir in a little reserved pasta water until smooth.
Add the lemon zest last. It adds a fresh, bright flavor that complements the creamy sauce.
More Dinner Recipes to Try
If you love comforting, flavorful dinners, be sure to explore more of our chicken recipes, pasta dishes like this rasta pasta recipe, and easy family meals.
This Marry Me Chicken Pasta is one of those meals that feels a little fancy without requiring hours in the kitchen.
Between the tender chicken, creamy Parmesan sauce, and sun-dried tomatoes, there’s so much flavor in every bite.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment and a star rating below, and don’t forget to save it for your next family dinner.
Find more recipes here on our YouTube channel. Happy cooking! ❤️
Serving Suggestions
This marry me chicken pasta is filling enough to enjoy on its own, but I love serving it with something simple on the side.
Try it with garlic bread, air fryer milk buns, a fresh green Caesar salad, roasted broccoli, or sautéed green beans.
The bread is especially good for soaking up any extra creamy sauce!
How to Make Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe (So Easy & Delicious!)
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Mixing Bowl
- Skillet
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 1 lbs. penne pasta, or pasta of choice
- 2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3.17 oz. dry-packed sun-dried tomato halves; chopped
- 8 oz. fresh spinach leaves; chopped
For the Chicken
- 1½ tbsp. Delmas Seasoning Blend
- 1½ tbsp. Jacmel Seasoning Blend
- 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 4 tbsp. olive oil
For the Creamy Sauce
- 4 tbsp. unsalted butter
- ½ tbsp. Delmas Seasoning Blend
- 1 tbsp. Jacmel Seasoning Blend
- 2 cups heavy cream
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus more as needed
- 4 tbsp. tomato paste
- 1 shallot or 1 small onion diced
- 6 garlic cloves chopped
- Red pepper flakes to taste (optional)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2½ cups reserved pasta water divided and used as needed
Instructions
Cook the pasta and season the chicken
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the penne according to the package instructions until al dente.Before draining, reserve about 2½ cups of the pasta cooking water. Set the pasta aside.
- Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and pat them dry.Season with 1 tablespoon of Jacmel Seasoning Blend and 1 tablespoon of Delmas Seasoning Blend to taste.
Cook the chicken and build the sauce
- Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.Add the chicken in a single layer, working in batches if needed. Cook until lightly golden and fully cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter.Add the diced shallot, garlic, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook until softened, about 2 minutes or just until fragrant.
- Add the tomato paste and stir for 1–2 minutes to deepen its flavor.Deglaze with ½ cup of the reserved pasta, scraping the bottom of the skillet to release the flavorful browned bits.
Make it creamy and combine with the pasta
- Gradually pour in the heavy cream, stirring constantly.Add the remaining ½ tablespoon of Jacmel Seasoning Blend, and red pepper flakes, if using.Stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add the spinach, return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet.Reduce the heat to medium-low and allow the sauce to gently simmer until slightly thickened.Stir gently until everything is coated in the creamy sauce.
- Add the cooked penne and toss until evenly coated. Gradually add more reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the sauce reaches your preferred consistency. Add more cheese to make it creamier if needed.Finish with the fresh lemon zest and additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving.
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