If you’ve never tried Marry Me Chicken Pasta before, you’re in for a tasty treat! This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something warm, creamy, and full of flavor but without using a million dishes. It’s all made in one big pot!
I combined juicy chicken, tender pasta, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce inspired by the famous “Marry Me Chicken” recipe. Trust me once someone tastes this dish, they just might want to marry you!
Method
Cook the Chicken
To start, grab a large, deep skillet and place it over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the oil from your jar of sun-dried tomatoes along with 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter. While the pan is heating up, season your chopped chicken breast with 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Once the oil and butter are hot and melted together, add the chicken pieces into the skillet in a single layer. Let them cook undisturbed for a couple of minutes to get a nice golden sear, then stir occasionally and continue to cook for about 7 to 8 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink in the center. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate you’ll be adding it back later.
Sauté the Yummy Stuff
In the same skillet (don’t clean it you want to keep all that flavor!), add another tablespoon of the sun-dried tomato oil. Toss in your diced onion, minced garlic, and sliced sun-dried tomatoes. Let them sauté together over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions become soft and translucent and everything smells delicious. Now it’s time to layer in more flavor: sprinkle in the remaining 1 teaspoon of oregano, 1 teaspoon of thyme, 1 teaspoon of salt, and the rest of your black pepper (about 1/4 teaspoon). If you’re a fan of a little heat, go ahead and add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes here. Give everything a good stir to evenly coat the aromatics with the spices.
Make It Saucy!
Pour in 3 cups of chicken broth and 2 1/2 cups of heavy whipping cream, stirring well to combine with the sautéed mixture. Then, add your 12 ounces of campanelle pasta directly into the skillet. Stir to make sure all the pasta is covered with liquid. Bring the mixture to a light boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. It’s important to stir the pasta once halfway through the cooking time to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan or clumping together. During this step, the pasta will cook right in the creamy broth, soaking up all those amazing flavors.
Mix Everything Together
Once the pasta is nearly done and tender, it’s time to bring everything together. Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet along with the 2 cups of packed spinach. Stir everything gently, cover again, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, just until the spinach wilts down and becomes tender. Remove the lid and stir in 1 full cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Keep stirring until the cheese melts completely into the sauce, making it thick, creamy, and oh-so-delicious. Taste your dish and adjust with a little more salt or pepper if needed. For the final touch, sprinkle a bit more Parmesan and freshly chopped parsley over the top for extra flavor and a pop of color. Now it’s ready to serve!
Necessary Tools
- Deep skillet or large pan with lid
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Knife and cutting board
- Cheese grater
Marry Me Chicken Pasta – A One-Pot Creamy Dream!
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy6
servings15
minutes30
minutes45
minutesIngredients
1 1/2 pounds chicken breast, chopped into bite-size pieces
2 teaspoons salt (adjust to taste)
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme, divided
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
2 tablespoons oil from sun-dried tomatoes
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
3 cups chicken broth
2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
12 oz campanelle pasta
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for garnish)
2 cups packed spinach
1/2 medium onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced thin
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Directions
- Cook the Chicken
In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of sun-dried tomato oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat.
Season your chicken with 1/2 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
Sauté for about 7-8 minutes or until golden and fully cooked. Take it out of the pan and set it aside - Sauté the Yummy Stuff
In the same pan, add another 1 tablespoon of that flavorful sun-dried tomato oil.
Toss in your chopped onion, garlic, and the sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 5 minutes until everything smells amazing.
Now, sprinkle in the rest of the oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes (if you like a little spice!), the rest of the salt, and a pinch more pepper. - Make It Saucy!
Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir in the campanelle pasta.
Bring it to a soft boil, then cover and simmer on medium-low for 10 minutes, stirring once halfway through. - Mix Everything Together
Add the cooked chicken and spinach back into the pot. Stir it all up and cover for 2-3 minutes, just until the spinach wilts.
Finally, stir in 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until it’s all melty and creamy.
Taste and add a bit more salt if you need. Top with extra cheese and parsley if you’re feeling fancy!
Notes
- Don’t overcook the chicken it can get dry. Cook just until golden and no longer pink inside.
- Make sure to stir the pasta halfway through so it doesn’t stick to the bottom.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melt pre-shredded cheese can be clumpy.
- Watch your salt if your broth is already salty taste as you go!
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with warm garlic bread or buttery rolls.
- Add a side salad with balsamic dressing for a fresh crunch.
- Want to make it fancier? Top with crispy bacon bits or a drizzle of truffle oil.
Fun Fact
Did you know this dish is called Marry Me Chicken because it’s so good, someone might propose after the first bite? It’s creamy, dreamy, and full of love.
Conclusion
This Marry Me Chicken Pasta is one of my favorite one-pot recipes. It’s creamy, comforting, and filled with rich, cheesy goodness. Plus, it’s easy enough for a weeknight and fancy enough for guests!
