What are the ingredients for Marry Me Chicken Pasta?

Every time I make this dish, I’m amazed at how simple ingredients can create such rich flavors. I use chicken breasts or thighs, penne or rigatoni pasta, paprika, garlic powder, thyme, onion, sun-dried tomatoes, cream cheese, heavy cream, Parmesan, baby spinach, and a splash of red wine vinegar. Each ingredient plays a role—whether it’s building the sauce, seasoning the chicken, or adding freshness to the final dish.

What is the sauce on Marry Me Chicken?

The sauce is where the magic happens. I love that it’s creamy and luxurious, made from a combination of cream cheese, heavy cream, Parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes. It’s simmered with chicken stock and seasoned with garlic, paprika, and thyme to give it depth. The result is smooth, velvety, and slightly tangy—a sauce that clings perfectly to every piece of chicken and pasta.

What to eat with Marry Me Chicken Pasta?

I usually keep it simple, letting the pasta be the star. A fresh green salad or roasted vegetables pair beautifully, adding crunch and balance. Sometimes I serve it with a slice of crusty bread to scoop up the creamy sauce, which feels indulgent but completely worth it. If you want to make a full cozy meal, I’ve also loved pairing it with recipes like High Protein Stuffed Pepper Soup or One Pot Chili on the side—they complement it wonderfully.

What flour do you use for Marry Me Chicken?

Interestingly, this recipe doesn’t require any flour for the sauce—it relies on cream cheese, heavy cream, and Parmesan to create thickness. That makes it easier and quicker to prepare, while keeping the sauce silky and smooth. If you ever want a slightly thicker sauce, a tiny dusting of flour when sautéing the onions can help, but personally, I find it perfectly creamy without it.

Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

Description

Indulge in Marry Me Chicken Pasta, a creamy, savory pasta dish featuring tender, juicy chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach in a rich Parmesan and cream sauce—perfect for cozy dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into chunks

16 oz penne or rigatoni pasta

2 tsp paprika

3 tsp garlic powder

3 tsp dried thyme

1.5 tsp kosher salt

2 tbsp olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, diced

1 (6 oz) can tomato paste

1 tsp sugar

1 cup chicken stock

1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, chopped

4 tbsp cream cheese

1/4 cup heavy cream

1/3 cup grated Parmesan

2 cups baby spinach

1/2 tsp red wine vinegar

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Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente, reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.

Season and Sear the Chicken: Toss chicken with paprika, garlic powder, thyme, and salt. Heat olive oil in a large skillet and sear the chicken until golden. Remove and set aside.

Build the Sauce: In the same pan, sauté onion until soft. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 30 seconds. Add chicken stock, sun-dried tomatoes, sugar, and a bit more salt. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.

Combine and Simmer: Return the chicken to the pan. Stir in cream cheese, heavy cream, and Parmesan. Simmer until sauce is smooth and chicken is cooked through.

Add Pasta and Finish: Add pasta and reserved pasta water as needed to coat evenly. Stir in spinach and vinegar, then turn off heat. Serve warm with extra Parmesan on top.

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 25 min
Category: Main Dish
Method: Sautéing
Cuisine: Homemade