Have you ever tasted something so good that you'd be willing to propose on the spot? That's exactly what this Easy Marry Me Pasta with Chicken Recipe is all about! This creamy, flavor-packed pasta dish has earned its romantic name for a very good reason - one bite and you'll be ready to commit for life!
I first made this for my husband on our anniversary last year, and Emily (my little food critic) demanded I make it three more times that week. And honestly? I didn't mind one bit!
If you love creamy pasta dishes with bold flavors, you might also enjoy my Cajun Chicken and Shrimp Pasta which brings a spicy kick to your dinner table with the same level of deliciousness that'll have everyone asking for seconds.
What makes this dish so special is the incredible sauce - sun-dried tomatoes, red peppers, and a perfectly seasoned cream base that hugs every strand of pasta.
And those chicken thighs? Tender, juicy, and packed with flavor that'll make your taste buds dance! The best part? It all comes together in one pan in about 35 minutes. Who says impressive meals need to be complicated?
Why You Will Love This Marry Me Pasta Recipe
- Ready in just 35 minutes - perfect for busy weeknights or impromptu date nights
- Everything cooks in one pan (besides the pasta) for minimal cleanup
- The creamy sauce is absolutely addictive with the perfect balance of flavors
- Chicken thighs stay juicy and tender, absorbing all those amazing spices
- It's fancy enough for special occasions but easy enough for everyday dinners
- That gorgeous red pepper sauce creates an impressive presentation with minimal effort
- Leftovers taste even better the next day (if there are any!)
Ingredients for Marry Me Pasta with Chicken
Chicken Marinade:
- 500g boneless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Pasta Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 red peppers, diced
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 100g sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 500ml heavy cream
- 300g pasta of choice (I love fettuccine or penne for this)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley to garnish
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (for thickening)
How to Make the Perfect Marry Me Pasta with Chicken
- First things first - let's prep that chicken! Cut your chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and place them in a bowl.
- Add the olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until the chicken is evenly coated.
- If you've got time, let this marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight in the fridge for even more flavor - trust me, it's worth it!).
- While the chicken is marinating, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta according to package directions until al dente. Remember: we want it slightly firm as it'll continue cooking a bit in the sauce later!
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated chicken and cook for about 7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Transfer the chicken to a clean bowl, but keep all those flavorful oils in the pan!
- In the same skillet (don't wash it - all that flavor!), add the diced red peppers and onion. Cook over medium heat for about 7 minutes until they start to soften and caramelize slightly.
- Add the tomato paste and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet, stirring to combine with the peppers and onions. Cook for about 2 minutes until everything is well incorporated and fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and add all your spices - the garlic powder, paprika, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good stir and let it simmer for about 3 minutes.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat in the creamy sauce. Let everything simmer together for about 5 minutes so the flavors can meld.
- Here's my little trick for thickening the sauce perfectly: in a small bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour with ¼ cup of cold water until you get a smooth slurry.
- Take the skillet off the heat momentarily, add the slurry, and quickly stir it in before any lumps can form. This will help your sauce thicken up beautifully!
- Add your drained pasta directly to the skillet with the sauce and chicken. Gently toss everything together until the pasta is completely coated in that gorgeous sauce.
- Let everything simmer together for about 5 more minutes, or until the sauce reaches your desired thickness. If it gets too thick, you can add a splash of pasta water to loosen it up.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot!
Storage and Reheating Tips for Marry Me Pasta
This Easy Marry Me Pasta with Chicken keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
The flavors actually develop even more overnight, making leftovers something to look forward to! Sometimes I intentionally make extra just to have lunch the next day.
To reheat, add a splash of milk or cream to the pasta before warming it in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium-low heat. This prevents the sauce from separating and keeps everything creamy and delicious.
I don't recommend freezing this dish as cream-based sauces tend to separate when thawed and the pasta texture just isn't the same afterward.
Creative Ways to Customize Your Marry Me Pasta
- Want to make it even more special? Add a handful of fresh spinach during the last minute of cooking for a pop of color and extra nutrition. (Emily actually picks these out, but I pretend not to notice!)
- Short on time? Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken thighs. Just skip the marinating and cooking steps, and add the shredded chicken when you would return the cooked chicken to the skillet.
- For a lighter version, swap the heavy cream for half-and-half or a mixture of chicken broth and cream cheese.
- No chicken thighs? Chicken breasts work too, but be careful not to overcook them as they can dry out more easily than thighs.
- Want to add some veggies? Mushrooms, artichoke hearts, or baby spinach make wonderful additions to this dish.
- For a bit of crunch, sprinkle some toasted pine nuts or breadcrumbs on top before serving.
- Have you tried adding a splash of white wine to the sauce? It adds amazing depth of flavor without making it taste "boozy" at all!
Frequently Asked Questions About Marry Me Pasta
This dish earned its name because it's supposedly so delicious that serving it to your partner might prompt a marriage proposal! The creamy, flavorful combination of sun-dried tomatoes, cream, and perfectly seasoned chicken creates an irresistible meal that's "proposal-worthy."
While heavy cream provides the richest texture for this Marry Me Pasta, you can substitute half-and-half or whole milk mixed with 1-2 tablespoons of butter. The sauce won't be quite as thick, so you may need to add extra flour slurry to achieve the desired consistency.
This recipe uses a flour slurry (1 tablespoon flour mixed with ¼ cup water) added off-heat and quickly stirred in to prevent lumps. For an even thicker sauce, you can increase the flour slightly or let the sauce simmer longer to reduce naturally.
While this recipe includes pasta, Marry Me Chicken also pairs beautifully with garlic mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables like asparagus or broccoli, a simple green salad, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. For a lower-carb option, try it with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
Recipes You May Like
- Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach - If you love this Marry Me Pasta, you'll definitely enjoy this similar Tuscan-inspired dish!
- Quick Easy Smothered Chicken Recipe - Another delicious chicken recipe that's perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Creamy Mushroom Garlic Chicken - For another creamy, comforting chicken dish that's sure to impress.
A Final Word on this Easy Marry Me Pasta Recipe
This Easy Marry Me Pasta with Chicken Recipe has become a staple in my household for good reason. It's the perfect balance of creamy, savory, and just a little spicy - comfort food that still feels special enough for celebrations.
Whether you're cooking for a romantic date night, a family dinner, or just treating yourself to something delicious, this pasta delivers big flavor with minimal effort.
I love how the sun-dried tomatoes add little bursts of sweetness throughout the dish, while the marinated chicken brings so much flavor to the table. The creamy sauce brings everything together in the most satisfying way possible.
Have you ever had a meal that makes you close your eyes and just savor the moment? This is definitely one of those dishes!
Don't forget to save this recipe to Pinterest for later, and if you make it, I'd love to hear how it turned out for you! Did it earn its romantic name in your household?
Easy Marry Me Pasta with Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- Knife
- Cutting Board
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 500 g boneless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Pasta Sauce Ingredients
- 2 red peppers diced
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 100 g sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 500 ml heavy cream
- 300 g pasta of choice fettuccine or penne work well
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- salt & pepper to taste
- fresh parsley to garnish
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour for thickening
Instructions
- Cut your chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and place them in a bowl. Add the olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until the chicken is evenly coated. If you've got time, let this marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight in the fridge for even more flavor).
- While the chicken is marinating, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta according to package directions until al dente.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated chicken and cook for about 7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a clean bowl, but keep all those flavorful oils in the pan!
- In the same skillet, add the diced red peppers and onion. Cook over medium heat for about 7 minutes until they start to soften and caramelize slightly.
- Add the tomato paste and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet, stirring to combine with the peppers and onions. Cook for about 2 minutes until everything is well incorporated and fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and add all your spices - the garlic powder, paprika, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good stir and let it simmer for about 3 minutes.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat in the creamy sauce. Let everything simmer together for about 5 minutes so the flavors can meld.
- In a small bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour with ¼ cup of cold water until you get a smooth slurry. Take the skillet off the heat momentarily, add the slurry, and quickly stir it in before any lumps can form. This will help your sauce thicken up beautifully!
- Add your drained pasta directly to the skillet with the sauce and chicken. Gently toss everything together until the pasta is completely coated in that gorgeous sauce.
- Let everything simmer together for about 5 more minutes, or until the sauce reaches your desired thickness. If it gets too thick, you can add a splash of pasta water to loosen it up.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot!
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