A simple marry me chicken pasta made with tender chicken, sun dried tomatoes and a creamy parmesan sauce. Easy to make and perfect for a comforting midweek meal.
Marry Me Chicken Pasta
- Total Time: 20 Minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
I have no idea where the name “marry me chicken” actually comes from, but it does make you feel like you should expect something a bit special.
In reality, it is just a very good creamy chicken pasta, which is no bad thing at all.
It is the sort of meal that feels a bit indulgent without being over the top. Something you can make on a normal evening and still feel like you have put a proper dinner on the table, not just thrown something together.
I used rigatoni for this because those large tubes do exactly what you want them to do and hold onto the sauce rather than letting it disappear. It also takes just long enough to cook that you can get the sauce sorted at the same time without any panic.
The sauce itself is where it all comes together. Chicken, garlic, sun dried tomatoes and a creamy parmesan base that feels rich but still balanced. Nothing complicated, just ingredients that work well together.
One thing I would say, and you will thank yourself later, is use a decent sized pan. It might look manageable at the start, but once that pasta goes in you need the space to actually mix it properly without half of it ending up on the hob. I have placed an affiliate link here for the Green Pan I have used for many recipes over the years. It still is as good as new! https://amzn.to/3Qa9jAm
It also freezes really well, which is always useful. I usually put any leftovers into those foil takeaway tubs, then just defrost when needed. When reheating, add a small splash of hot water from the kettle to loosen the sauce, just enough to bring it back without making it watery.
Whether it is good enough to convince anyone of anything, I will leave up to you, but it is definitely good enough to make again.
Ingredients
- 250 g rigatoni pasta
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 400 g chicken breast, chopped into chunks
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 Medium mushrooms sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 100 g sun dried tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 300 ml chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning
- 40 g parmesan, grated
- 100 g soft cream cheese
- Black pepper
- Fresh basil leaves to serve
Instructions
Bring a pan of salted water to the boil and cook the rigatoni according to the packet instructions, around 15 to 17 minutes.
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large pan over a medium heat.
Add the chicken and cook for a few minutes until it starts to colour.
Add the chopped onion and mushroom, then cook until softened.
Stir in the garlic and cook for a minute.
Add the sun dried tomatoes and tomato paste and mix everything together.
Pour in the chicken stock and add the Italian herb seasoning. Stir and allow to simmer for a few minutes.
Add the grated parmesan and soft cream cheese, stirring until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
Season with black pepper.
Drain the pasta and add it straight into the sauce. Stir well so everything is coated.
Serve with fresh basil leaves.
Notes
Use a large pan so you have enough space when adding the pasta.
Rigatoni works well as it holds the sauce inside the tubes.
Add a small splash of hot water when reheating to loosen the sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 Minutes
- Cook Time: 15 Minutes
- Category: Mains
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Why is it called marry me chicken?
“Marry Me Chicken” is a modern recipe name that comes from a bit of a joke rather than any old tradition. It was popularised by a food website, where someone tasted the creamy chicken dish and said it was so good it could make someone want to propose. The name stuck because it is fun and easy to remember, and it helped the recipe spread online. It is similar in idea to “engagement chicken”, which was made popular by a magazine, where the idea is that a really tasty meal could win someone’s heart.
Can this be frozen
Yes, it freezes well. Store in portions and defrost before reheating.
How do I reheat it without it drying out
Add a small amount of hot water while reheating to loosen the sauce.
Can I use a different pasta?
Yes, but shapes that hold sauce well work best.
What makes the marry me chicken sauce creamy?
The parmesan and soft cream cheese create a smooth, rich texture.