I absolutely love how this Marry Me Chicken Pasta {One Pot Recipe} Recipe comes together – it’s like a warm hug on a plate that s ready in just about 30 minutes. What makes it really special is how all those bold flavors meld right in the pan, with tender chicken, creamy sauce, and that gorgeous hit of sun-dried tomatoes. I find it s perfect for those nights when you want a comforting, impressive meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
When I first tried this, the idea of cooking pasta, chicken, and sauce all in one pot sounded too good to be true – but it really works! You ll find that this Marry Me Chicken Pasta {One Pot Recipe} Recipe is a game-changer for busy weeknights or last-minute dinner guests, delivering rich flavor and easy cleanup. Trust me, your family will go crazy for it just like mine does.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Pot Convenience: You cook everything together, saving time on prep and cleanup.
- Rich, Creamy Flavor: The double cream and parmesan create a luscious sauce that coats every bite.
- Family-Friendly Comfort: It s hearty, flavorful, and loved by kids and adults alike.
- Customizable Ingredients: Easy to swap or add veggies, protein, or spices to suit your taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients work beautifully together to create that perfect balance of creamy, savory, and tangy flavors. When shopping, look for good quality chicken breasts and double cream (or heavy cream) for the best texture and taste.
- Boneless & skinless chicken breast: Cut into bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly and quickly.
- Olive oil: Or use oil from your sun-dried tomatoes jar to amp up the flavor.
- Garlic cloves: Fresh and crushed to release that fragrant aroma.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Drained and finely chopped, these pack a punch of tang and umami.
- Oregano: Adds an earthy, herbal note that brings everything together.
- Paprika: For a subtle smoky warmth.
- Dried pasta: Choose your favorite shape, but keep an eye on cooking time.
- Chicken stock: The cooking liquid that gives the pasta and chicken extra depth.
- Double cream: Also known as heavy cream-creates the rich, silky sauce.
- Parmesan: Freshly grated for that nutty, salty finish.
- Spinach: Added at the end for color, nutrients, and a delicate hint of earthiness.
- Freshly ground black pepper: To season and brighten the flavors.
Variations
One of the things I love about the Marry Me Chicken Pasta {One Pot Recipe} Recipe is how easy it is to tailor it to your own craving or dietary needs. Don t be afraid to tweak it to your heart s content – experimentation is half the fun!
- Swap the protein: I sometimes use turkey or even firm tofu for a vegetarian spin – just adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Vegetables: Feel free to add mushrooms, bell peppers, or sun-dried tomatoes in oil for even more flavor.
- Spice it up: A pinch of chili flakes or smoked paprika makes it beautifully bold if you like heat.
- Dairy-free option: Use coconut cream or a cashew cream alternative, and skip the parmesan or use nutritional yeast.
How to Make Marry Me Chicken Pasta {One Pot Recipe} Recipe
Step 1: Sear the Chicken for Flavor
Heat the olive oil in a large, deep frying pan over medium heat. When it s shimmering, carefully add the bite-sized chicken pieces with a good sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chicken starts to turn golden all over – this helps lock in juices and adds incredible flavor.
Step 2: Build the Base with Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Turn down the heat a bit and add your crushed garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, and paprika. Stir everything together and let it cook gently for 3 to 5 minutes until the garlic softens and you can really smell those gorgeous aromatics filling your kitchen. This forms the flavor-packed sauce base you’ll love.
Step 3: Cook the Pasta Right in the Pan
Add the dried pasta and pour in the chicken stock, stirring everything well to combine. Pop a lid on the pan and let it simmer gently for 15-20 minutes. Make sure to stir occasionally to prevent sticking and check the pasta around the 15-minute mark for doneness. If it needs to cook longer, add a splash of boiling water to keep it from drying out.
Step 4: Finish with Spinach, Cream, and Parmesan
Once the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has absorbed, turn the heat to the lowest setting. Add the spinach and double cream, stirring for 1-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the cream warms through. Use this time to check the chicken is fully cooked and season to taste. Then, turn off the heat and stir in the grated parmesan for that irresistible cheesy finish.
Pro Tips for Making Marry Me Chicken Pasta {One Pot Recipe} Recipe
- Use the Right Pan: A large, deep skillet or sauté pan with a lid works best – it gives enough room for stirring and even cooking.
- Watch Your Pasta: Different pasta shapes and brands cook differently, so keep tasting to prevent overcooking.
- Oil Swap for Extra Flavor: I like to use some oil from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes instead of plain olive oil – it adds indulgent, tangy richness.
- Don t Rush the Cream: Add cream only at the end on low heat to prevent it from curdling or separating.
How to Serve Marry Me Chicken Pasta {One Pot Recipe} Recipe
Garnishes
I like to finish this dish with a sprinkle of extra parmesan and a scattering of freshly chopped basil or parsley – it gives a fresh, herbal lift and looks gorgeous on the plate. A few cracks of black pepper on top always adds that finishing touch I adore.
Side Dishes
Simple sides work best so the pasta remains the star. I often serve this with a crisp green salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette or some garlic bread to sop up all that creamy sauce. Roasted or steamed vegetables like asparagus or green beans make a nice, fresh accompaniment too.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special date night, try serving this in individual shallow bowls with a drizzle of good-quality olive oil and tiny edible flowers or microgreens for a restaurant feel. Alternatively, layering the chicken and pasta in a pretty casserole dish and serving family-style straight from the stove is cozy and inviting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and they usually keep well for up to 3 days. The flavors meld even more overnight, which is always a pleasant surprise the next day.
Freezing
Freezing this pasta is possible, though I find the spinach and cream sauce can change texture a bit. If you want to freeze, I recommend skipping the cream and spinach, then adding fresh cream and greens when reheating.
Reheating
To reheat leftovers, I gently warm them in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or stock to loosen up the sauce. This keeps the pasta from drying out and helps the chicken stay tender.
FAQs
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Can I use other pasta types for this Marry Me Chicken Pasta {One Pot Recipe} Recipe?
Absolutely! While I usually use traditional dried pasta shapes like penne or fusilli, feel free to substitute with whatever you have-just keep an eye on cooking time since thinner pastas like angel hair will cook faster, and thicker ones like rigatoni may take longer.
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Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Swap double cream for coconut cream or a cashew-based cream substitute, and use nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese in place of parmesan. The dish still tastes rich and satisfying with these swaps.
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Can I prep Marry Me Chicken Pasta {One Pot Recipe} Recipe ahead of time?
You can prep the chicken and chop ingredients ahead, but I recommend cooking the pasta fresh for best texture. However, the cooked sauce base can be made a day ahead and gently reheated with fresh spinach and cream added at the end.
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How do I avoid the cream breaking when cooking?
Add the cream only at the very end, reduce the heat to low, and stir gently. High heat or prolonged cooking after adding cream can cause it to separate, so patience here is key!
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What s the best way to get perfectly cooked chicken?
Cut the chicken into similar-sized pieces and brown them on medium heat first until golden all over, then finish cooking with the sauce. Using a meat thermometer or cutting into a piece to check it s white inside with no pink helps ensure it s safe and juicy.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Marry Me Chicken Pasta {One Pot Recipe} Recipe has become my go-to when I want something that feels special but doesn t require a ton of fuss. The way the creamy sauce, tender chicken, and those sun-dried tomatoes come together always gets compliments, and I love sharing it with family and friends. Give it a try-you’ll enjoy how easy it is to nail a restaurant-quality meal right at home!
Print
Marry Me Chicken Pasta {One Pot Recipe} Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a flavorful one-pot meal combining tender bite-sized chicken breast pieces, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, spinach, and creamy sauce with pasta. It’s a quick and comforting dish with a perfect balance of spices, creamy textures, and fresh ingredients, great for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Protein & Main Ingredients
- 650 g (1.4 lb) Boneless & skinless chicken breast, About 4 breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Oils & Seasonings
- 1 tbsp Olive oil, See notes
- 3 Garlic cloves, Peeled and crushed
- 170 g (6 oz) Sun dried tomatoes, Drained and very finely chopped
- 1 tsp Oregano
- 2 tsp Paprika
- Freshly ground black pepper
Pasta & Liquids
- 250 g (9 oz) Dried pasta, See notes
- 650 ml (2.75 cups) Chicken stock, See notes
- 150 ml (0.75 cups) Double cream
Dairy & Greens
- 50 g (2 oz) Parmesan, Grated
- 120 g (4 oz) Spinach
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: In a large, deep frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. When the oil is hot, carefully add the bite-sized chicken pieces and season well with freshly ground black pepper. Cook the chicken for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until all sides start to brown and develop color.
- Add aromatics and spices: Reduce the heat to low and add crushed garlic, finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, and paprika to the pan. Stir the mixture continuously for 3 to 5 minutes until the garlic softens and the spices release their aromas.
- Add pasta and chicken stock: Pour in the dried pasta and chicken stock, stirring everything well to combine. Cover the pan with a lid and allow to cook for 15 to 20 minutes on medium-low heat. Stir occasionally and keep an eye on the pasta to make sure it cooks evenly and absorbs most of the liquid.
- Finish with spinach and cream: Lower the heat to the minimum setting. Add fresh spinach and double cream to the pan, stirring thoroughly for 1 to 3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the cream is heated through. Confirm the chicken is cooked completely and season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Incorporate Parmesan and serve: Turn off the heat and mix in grated Parmesan cheese until well combined. Serve the creamy, flavorful one-pot chicken pasta immediately for best taste.
Notes
- Oil: Use olive oil or the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes jar to add extra flavor to the dish.
- Cooking time: One-pot pasta cooking times can vary depending on pasta shape and stove heat. Keep an eye on the dish as it cooks, and add extra boiling water if necessary to avoid drying out.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: If texture is a concern, chop the sun-dried tomatoes very finely so they melt into the sauce smoothly.
- Double cream: Known as heavy cream in the US; adds rich creaminess to the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 809 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 709 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.02 g
- Carbohydrates: 80 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 60 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg
