Name: Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 12 ounces penne pasta; 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch pieces); 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 2 Tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons butter; 3 cloves garlic (minced); 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 cups chicken broth; 1 cup heavy cream; 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for garnish); 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained and chopped); 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1/4 teaspoon paprika; Fresh basil leaves (chopped (for garnish))

By: Jill Mills Updated: Mar 12, 2025

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Tender, juicy pieces of chicken and penne pasta are tossed with a creamy, cheesy sun-dried tomato sauce in this Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights!

Overhead view of a skillet of marry me chicken pasta

Marry me chicken has long been one of the most requested recipes in my house. There’s just something about tender, juicy chicken breasts coated in a creamy, cheesy sun-dried tomato sauce that we can’t get ahead of! It’s usually served over pasta, so I decided to experiment with an even easier version. This marry me chicken pasta has all the flavors of classic marry me chicken served over penne and it’s so quick and easy to make. It’s very similar to my marry me chicken tortellini, just with the tortellini swapped for pasta.

Why I Love This Marry Me Chicken Pasta

This pasta recipe is quickly becoming one of my all-time favorites. Here are a few reasons why.

An easy dinner. Overall, marry me chicken pasta is just an easy weeknight dinner recipe. It takes just over 35 minutes from start to finish and while I like to add a simple side salad, it can easily be a meal on its own.
Creamy, flavorful sauce. This pasta has the same sauce as marry me chicken. It’s made with heavy cream, freshly grated parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes. Simple, creamy, and so flavorful!
A family favorite. This is a recipe that seems to hit the mark with everyone. The kids love the pasta and the creamy sauce as much as the adults do!

Overhead view of ingredients needed to make marry me chicken pasta

Recipe Ingredients

This chicken pasta recipe is made with just a handful of ingredients like heavy cream and sun-dried tomatoes. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the exact measurements.

For the Chicken/Pasta:

Penne pasta – Other types of short pasta, like rigatoni, fusilli, or bowties, also work.
Chicken – I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts that I cut into 1-inch pieces. Chicken thighs will also work.
Spices – Salt, pepper, and paprika.
Olive oil – To cook the chicken.

For the Sauce:

Butter – Salted or unsalted butter are both fine.
Garlic – Adds flavor to the sauce.
All-purpose flour – Helps thicken the sauce.
Chicken broth – I like to use low-sodium broth whenever possible.
Heavy cream – Adds a rich creaminess to the sauce.
Parmesan cheese – I recommend use a quality parmesan and grating it from the block for the best flavor.
Sun-dried tomatoes – If I can find a jar of sun-dried tomatoes that are already chopped, I grab it to save time. Otherwise, just grab a jar of regular sun-dried tomatoes and roughly chop them at home.
Spices – Italian seasoning and paprika.
Basil leaves – For garnish.

How To Make Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Here’s an overview of how to make this creamy chicken pasta. The printable instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

Browned pieces of chicken breast in a cast iron skillet

Spices and heavy cream added to broth in a skillet

Cook the pasta. Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Cook the chicken. Season the chicken and then cook in olive oil over medium heat until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
Make the sauce. Add the butter and stir in the minced garlic, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the flour then slowly whisk in the chicken broth. After the mixture thickens slightly, stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and seasonings. Simmer until it thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
Combine the ingredients. Add the cooked chicken and penne to the skillet. Toss to coat in the sauce. Taste test and adjust the seasonings if needed.
Enjoy. Garnish with chopped basil and extra parmesan. Enjoy!

Close up of a spoonful of marry me chicken pasta

Recipe Tips & Variations

Here are a few ways to switch up this marry me chicken pasta recipe, as well as a few general tips.

Add some heat. For a little heat, add crushed red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the sauce when simmering.
Use white wine. Replace 1/4 cup of the chicken broth with dry white wine for added depth to the sauce.
Add some veggies. Spinach makes a great addition to this pasta. Just stir it in when you combine the ingredients and let it cook just enough to wilt. Mushrooms can also be added.
Whisk in the broth. When adding the broth to the flour and garlic, whisk it in to distribute the flour evenly. Allow it to thicken a bit before adding the heavy cream and other ingredients.
Don’t overcook the chicken. For tender, juicy pieces of chicken in the pasta, be sure to not overcook it in the first step. Chicken is ready when it reaches 165F.

Serving Suggestions

I love to add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the finished pasta just before serving. It really brightens up the flavors and balances the creaminess.

Some of my favorite sides to pair with this pasta include garlic bread and mixed greens or a simple Caesar salad.

A fork in a piece of marry me chicken pasta

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers

Fridge. Refrigerate any leftover marry me chicken pasta in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce if needed.

Marry Me Chicken Pasta