One Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe
Ready to transform your weeknight dinner into a culinary adventure? One Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta isn't just a meal—it's a game-changing recipe that'll have everyone at your table asking for seconds. You'll love how quickly this dish comes together, combining tender chicken, creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta in a single skillet. Imagine impressing your family or guests with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Intrigued? Let's uncover the secrets to this irresistible pasta that might just earn you a marriage proposal.
Recipe Highlights
- Brown chicken chunks in a large skillet until golden, creating a flavorful base for the one-pot pasta dish.
- Add uncooked pasta and liquid to the skillet, cooking for approximately 8 minutes to achieve perfect al dente texture.
- Create a creamy sauce by stirring in heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and freshly grated parmesan cheese for rich flavor.
- Simmer the dish on medium-low heat, allowing the sauce to thicken and completely coat the chicken and pasta.
- Garnish with fresh herbs like basil or parsley just before serving to enhance both visual appeal and taste.
History
Though its exact origins remain somewhat mysterious, Marry Me Chicken Pasta has become a modern culinary phenomenon that captures home cooks' imaginations.
You'll find this dish likely emerged from social media food trends in the early 2010s, where recipe-sharing platforms transformed home cooking.
Food bloggers and recipe developers began experimenting with one-pot meals that combined creamy, indulgent flavors with quick preparation techniques.
The playful name suggests a dish so delectable it could inspire romantic commitment.
Its roots trace to:
- Italian-American fusion cuisine
- Trend of simplified, elegant weeknight meals
- Growing popularity of one-pot cooking methods
Your understanding of its history reveals how contemporary cooking trends can elevate simple ingredients into memorable dining experiences.
The recipe represents a perfect blend of convenience, flavor, and culinary creativity.
Recipe
Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a culinary delight that promises to win hearts with its rich, creamy sauce and perfectly cooked chicken. This one-pot wonder combines tender chicken chunks, al dente pasta, and a luxurious blend of sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan cheese, creating a dish so irresistible it might just inspire a marriage proposal.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and depth of flavor. By cooking the chicken and pasta together, you allow the ingredients to meld, creating a harmonious dish that's both comforting and sophisticated. The combination of heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan cheese creates a sauce that's simultaneously tangy, creamy, and utterly indulgent.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
- 16 oz penne pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Fresh basil for garnish
Begin by heating a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken chunks and season with salt and pepper, browning them for 5-7 minutes until they develop a golden exterior.
Pour in the uncooked penne pasta and add enough water to cover the pasta by one inch. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for approximately 8 minutes, or until the pasta is nearly al dente.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and drain any excess water if necessary. Stir in the heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and half of the parmesan cheese.
Allow the sauce to simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and coats the pasta and chicken beautifully. The pasta's natural starch will help create a creamy consistency.
For the best results, invest in high-quality ingredients like freshly grated parmesan and oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes. If the sauce becomes too thick, don't hesitate to add a splash of pasta water to achieve the perfect consistency.
This dish reheats wonderfully, but you may need to add a bit more cream or pasta water when warming it up to maintain its original creamy texture. A sprinkle of fresh basil just before serving can add a bright, aromatic finishing touch.
Cooking Steps
You'll transform this one-pot wonder by carefully browning chicken chunks over medium-high heat, ensuring a golden exterior that locks in flavor and texture.
Next, add your uncooked penne pasta and liquid, bringing everything to a boil while watching the pasta absorb the savory cooking liquid and approach that perfect al dente stage.
As the dish comes together, you'll reduce the heat, incorporate cream and sun-dried tomatoes, and create a silky sauce that'll make this Marry Me Chicken Pasta an instant favorite.
Step 1. Brown Chicken Chunks
Carefully cut boneless chicken breasts into even, bite-sized chunks to ensure uniform cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish. Aim for pieces roughly 1-inch square, which promote even browning and quick, thorough cooking.
Select a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or pot with enough surface area to prevent chicken pieces from overcrowding. Pat chicken chunks dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve a beautiful golden-brown sear. Season generously with salt and pepper before cooking.
Heat your pan over medium-high heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil. When the oil shimmers and appears slightly rippled, add chicken chunks in a single layer. Allow each piece to brown undisturbed for 2-3 minutes, creating a delicious caramelized exterior that locks in flavor and moisture.
Step 2. Add Uncooked Pasta
After browning the chicken chunks to golden perfection, it's time to transform your one-pot dish into a complete meal by adding the uncooked pasta.
Carefully pour the 16 oz of penne pasta directly into the pot with the browned chicken, ensuring even distribution.
You'll want to cover the pasta completely with water, adding about one inch above the pasta line. This water depth is crucial for achieving perfectly cooked pasta with a tender, al dente texture.
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Watch for bubbling and movement across the entire pot's surface, which signals the ideal cooking environment.
Lower the heat slightly and let the pasta cook for approximately 8 minutes, monitoring its progress and tenderness.
Step 3. Add Liquid and Seasonings
Since the pasta has reached its initial cooking stage, it's time to transform your one-pot dish with rich, creamy liquid and vibrant seasonings.
Pour in heavy cream, allowing it to mingle with the pasta's starchy water, creating a velvety base for your sauce. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, which will infuse the dish with a tangy, concentrated sweetness.
Sprinkle in half the parmesan cheese, watching it slowly melt and bind the ingredients together.
Season with:
- Kosher salt (1/2 teaspoon)
- Freshly ground black pepper (1/4 teaspoon)
- Optional red pepper flakes (pinch)
Reduce heat to medium-low, letting the sauce simmer and thicken. The goal is a luxurious, clinging consistency that coats each pasta piece and chicken chunk perfectly.
Step 4. Reduce Heat, Thicken Sauce
As the pasta and chicken simmer, you'll want to create a luxurious, velvety sauce that clings perfectly to every morsel. Reduce the heat to medium-low, which helps prevent scorching and allows the sauce to thicken naturally.
Watch for visual cues: the sauce should start to coat the back of your spoon and look slightly glossy.
Key thickening techniques:
- Stir frequently to distribute heat evenly
- Let the pasta's natural starches help bind the sauce
- Incorporate remaining parmesan cheese slowly
If the sauce seems too thin, continue simmering for an additional 1-2 minutes. The heavy cream will gradually reduce, creating a rich, creamy consistency.
Remember that the sauce will continue to thicken slightly as it cools, so aim for a slightly looser texture while cooking.
Step 5. Garnish With Fresh Herbs
When your Marry Me Chicken Pasta emerges from the pot, bursting with creamy richness, you'll want to elevate its visual appeal and flavor profile with a thoughtful herb garnish.
Fresh herbs aren't just a decoration—they're a flavor catalyst that can transform your dish from good to extraordinary. Consider these herb options:
- Fresh basil: Torn, not chopped, for rustic elegance
- Chopped parsley: Bright, clean flavor profile
- Finely minced chives: Delicate onion undertones
Sprinkle herbs generously across the pasta's surface, allowing them to nestle into the creamy sauce. About 2-3 tablespoons will provide perfect coverage without overwhelming the dish's core flavors.
Pro tip: Add herbs just before serving to preserve their vibrant color and maximize their aromatic impact, ensuring each bite delivers a fresh, herbaceous note that complements the rich, sun-dried tomato base.
Final Thoughts
Magic happens in the kitchen with this Marry Me Chicken Pasta, transforming simple ingredients into a meal that's both comforting and impressive.
You'll find this recipe strikes the perfect balance between gourmet and approachable, with minimal cleanup required. The one-pot technique ensures you're maximizing flavor while minimizing kitchen work, making it ideal for busy weeknights or casual dinner parties.
Key takeaways for success include:
- Use freshly grated parmesan
- Choose high-quality sun-dried tomatoes
- Don't overcook the pasta
- Watch your sauce consistency carefully
When executed correctly, this dish becomes more than just dinner—it's a culinary experience that'll have everyone asking for seconds.
Your skill in balancing flavors and textures will shine through, creating a memorable meal that feels both sophisticated and wonderfully satisfying.
