Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

Name: Marry Me Chicken Pasta (Irresistibly Creamy & Crowd-Pleasing!)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 oz pasta (rigatoni, penne, or farfalle); 2 tbsp butter; 1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour; 3–4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp tomato paste; 1/3 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth); 1 cup heavy cream; 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped; 1/2 tsp dried oregano; 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes; 2 cups cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded; 1/3 cup grated parmesan, plus more for garnish; 1 small handful fresh basil, chopped; Salt and pepper, to taste

Jump to Recipe

The first time I made Marry Me Chicken Pasta, I was chasing something special—not just a weeknight dinner, but one of those recipes that hugs your heart a little. And let me tell you, this dish lives up to its name. Creamy, savory, and packed with flavor, this recipe is so good it might just spark a proposal (or at least earn some serious praise at the dinner table!).

From the smell of garlic and sun-dried tomatoes sautéing in butter to that final swirl of pasta through a luscious parmesan cream sauce—this one’s a winner for date nights, family dinners, or cozy weekends. 💍✨

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Contents Table +

Why You’ll Love This Marry Me Chicken Pasta

It’s easy yet elegant. This dish comes together in about 30 minutes with simple ingredients.
Creamy and comforting. The rich tomato-garlic-parmesan sauce wraps every bite in silky flavor.
Totally customizable. You can use rotisserie chicken, add spinach, or sub in shrimp for a twist.
Perfect for impressing. There’s a reason it’s called Marry Me—people go crazy for it.

Ingredients You’ll Need

8 oz pasta (rigatoni or farfalle work great)
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
3–4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/3 cup white wine (or chicken broth)
1 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie is perfect!)
1/3 cup grated parmesan, plus more for garnish
Fresh basil, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste

Best Pasta for Marry Me Chicken 🍝

Wondering what pasta goes best with marry me chicken? Go for something that holds sauce well! Here are my favorites:

Rigatoni – catches the sauce beautifully.
Farfalle (bowties) – fun, charming shape that’s sturdy.
Pappardelle – flat and wide, great for a romantic twist.
Penne – classic and super versatile.

Really, any pasta will work. But something short and sturdy lets that glorious sauce cling to every bite.

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

Large skillet
Pot for boiling pasta
Wooden spoon
Cheese grater
Measuring cups/spoons
Colander

Ingredient Substitutions & Additions

Cream: No, half-and-half won’t cut it. For that dreamy silkiness, full-fat cream is a must.
No wine? Use chicken broth.
Want greens? Add spinach or kale toward the end.
Vegetarian twist: Swap chicken for sautéed mushrooms or chickpeas.

How to Make Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.

Step 2: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute to create a roux.

Step 3: Add garlic, tomato paste, and white wine. Let it bubble for about a minute to reduce slightly.

Step 4: Whisk in cream, sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 3–4 minutes.

Step 5: Stir in shredded chicken and parmesan cheese. Let it heat through until sauce thickens.

Step 6: Toss in cooked pasta. If needed, add a splash of pasta water to loosen the sauce. Finish with fresh basil, salt, and pepper to taste.

Step 7: Serve hot with extra parmesan and a side of love.

What to Serve with Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Garlic Bread – Soak up every bit of that dreamy sauce!
Arugula Salad – A peppery, fresh contrast.
Roasted Asparagus – Light and simple veggie side.
White wine – Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay pairs beautifully.

Tips for Success

Use fresh parmesan. Pre-shredded cheese won’t melt as well.
Don’t skip the red pepper flakes. They bring subtle warmth without spiciness.
Reserve pasta water. It’s liquid gold for thinning the sauce!
Taste and season. Salt brings out the richness of the sauce.

Marry Me Chicken Pasta Storage & Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving on high—low and slow is best.

Freezing not recommended due to the dairy content.

FAQ – Answering Your Marry Me Chicken Pasta Questions

What pasta goes with Marry Me Chicken?

Sturdy shapes like rigatoni, farfalle, and penne are ideal. They hold the sauce well and look beautiful on the plate.

Why is it called “Marry Me Chicken Pasta”?

It’s so delicious, the legend goes, that if you make it for your partner, they’ll want to marry you! It’s rich, comforting, and full of love—just like a great relationship.

Is Marry Me Chicken better with potatoes or pasta?

While mashed potatoes are cozy, pasta is the classic choice—especially when you want that creamy sauce in every single bite.

What is Marry Me pasta sauce?

It’s a creamy, dreamy blend of garlic, tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan, and cream with herbs and a hint of heat. Think vodka sauce… but sassier!

Final Thoughts: Fall in Love with Your Fork

Whether you’re cooking for your sweetheart, your family, or yourself (because self-love is a thing!), this Marry Me Chicken Pasta is guaranteed to win hearts.

Once you make this, be sure to try these next:

If you loved this recipe, leave a comment, pin it to your favorite board, or share it with someone who needs a little extra love on their plate.

Marry Me Chicken Pasta (Irresistibly Creamy & Crowd-Pleasing!)

Save Recipe

This Marry Me Chicken Pasta is creamy, garlicky, and filled with rich flavors from sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan, and fresh herbs. It’s the ultimate comfort food dish that’s perfect for family dinners or romantic nights in—and yes, it might just spark a proposal!

Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 serving 1x

Ingredients

Scale

8 oz pasta (rigatoni, penne, or farfalle)
2 tbsp butter
1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour
3–4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp tomato paste
1/3 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
1 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
2 cups cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded
1/3 cup grated parmesan, plus more for garnish
1 small handful fresh basil, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
Stir in garlic, tomato paste, and wine. Let bubble for 1 minute.
Whisk in cream. Add sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, red pepper flakes, and shredded chicken. Simmer 3–4 minutes until thickened.
Stir in parmesan and fresh basil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Toss in the cooked pasta and a splash of reserved water if needed to thin sauce.
Serve hot with extra parmesan and fresh basil on top.

Notes

Do not substitute the heavy cream with low-fat alternatives—the sauce may curdle.
For a vegetarian version, omit chicken and add mushrooms or sautéed spinach.