Marry Me Chicken Pasta: Comfort Food in 30 Minutes

Creamy and flavorful, this Marry Me Chicken Pasta features tender chicken, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and a hint of lemon for freshness. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing dinner ready in just 30 minutes with an easy gluten-free option!

This post may contain affiliate links. The content provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as medical advice. For more details, please refer to our disclaimer page.

✋🏼E aí, pessoal! Hey there, friends!

If you’re new here, welcome! I’m Patricia, a mom of three with years of experience juggling quick meals, big flavors, and the occasional picky eater. My goal? To make dinnertime easier without skimping on taste.

Today, I’m sharing a recipe that’s a huge hit at my table: Marry Me Chicken Pasta. It’s tender chicken tossed with a creamy, tangy sauce featuring sun-dried tomatoes and a bright pop of lemon to cut through the richness. This dish is comfort food with a twist—fancy enough for guests but simple enough to whip up on a busy weeknight (or when leftover chicken needs a makeover).

Inspired by the viral Marry Me Chicken, I knew this sauce would be amazing with pasta. Adding lemon for balance and a little extra brightness turned it into something special. My husband even declared it “the best pasta dish ever!”—a big deal for a guy who loves his pasta.

Need another reason to try it? This recipe is versatile, foolproof, and ready in just 30 minutes. Pair it with our viral cucumber and red pepper salad, and why not make our Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats for dessert?

🍝Ingredient Notes

Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish with simple ingredients, featuring tender chicken and a rich, sun-dried tomato sauce. Our version of Marry Me pasta brings out the bold flavors but uses a few tweaks to make it extra special.

• Penne Pasta: Any pasta type will work (like bowtie pasta), but I prefer penne because I like how it soaks up the sauce! I used Barilla gluten-free pasta to keep this gluten-free, which holds its shape well and works perfectly in the creamy sauce.
• Chicken Breasts: Juicy chicken breasts are the protein of choice here because they are neutral enough to let the sauce shine but still provide juicy, tender bites that soak up the flavors. Searing it to golden brown adds a slight caramelization that deepens the overall taste.
• Olive Oil: I prefer olive oil for its mild flavor that adds a smooth richness to enhance the aromatics.
• Fresh Garlic: I highly recommend using fresh garlic for this dish. It’s the backbone of the sauce and sets the stage for the sun-dried tomatoes and herbs to shine.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional but recommended. A tiny pinch adds just enough heat to balance out the creaminess of the sauce without making it spicy.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: This ingredient is what makes this dish! Sun-dried tomatoes have a concentrated, tangy sweetness that cuts through the sauce's richness.
• Chicken Broth: If you're sensitive to gluten, make sure to choose a gluten-free version (I used Pacific Foods)
• Heavy Cream: Heavy cream is rich without being overpowering, creating the signature velvety texture of Marry Me Chicken Pasta. Coconut cream works well if you need a dairy-free option.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan adds a salty, nutty kick that balances the creaminess and ties all the flavors together. You can swap for a dairy-free version, but you may have to adjust the salt and lemon levels (not as briney).
• Fresh Basil and Oregano: The perfect pairing for Marry Me pasta! These herbs add a fresh, aromatic lift, contrasting perfectly with the creamy sauce and tangy tomatoes.
• Lemon Zest and Juice: Our unique addition and what makes our recipe stand out! Just a touch of lemon juice and zest cuts through the richness and brightens up the entire dish. It’s that small detail that makes a big difference.
• Fresh Parsley: Chopped parsley adds a pop of freshness and color as a garnish.

The exact quantities for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card below.

⚠️ Celiac Reminder: Double-check that your chicken broth, Parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes are certified gluten-free. Cross-contamination can sneak in with these ingredients. I used Barilla gluten-free penne pasta and Pacific Foods chicken broth for the chicken stock.

⚡Save that pasta water! It’s the secret to silky, well-coated pasta.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

Remove the chicken breast from its packaging. I don't like to rinse my chicken, but I will dab it with a paper towel to remove any moisture. Then, using a sharp knife, cut into 1-inch cubes. Season the chicken cubes with salt and pepper.

Tip: Feel free to slice your chicken to your preference; this recipe will work with slices as well.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear for 6-7 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4: Make the Sauce

Into the same skillet, lower the heat to medium-low. Add more olive oil if needed, then sauté the garlic and red pepper flakes for 30 seconds—just until you smell the garlic. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes to release their flavor, then add the chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan, basil, oregano, and lemon juice. Increase the heat to medium and simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth.

Tip: Scrape up any browned bits from the skillet when you add the broth—those bits add extra flavor to the sauce!

Step 5: Combine Marry Me Pasta

Add the cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet and toss it in the sauce until well-coated. If the sauce seems too thick, stir in some of the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.

Step 6: Serve

Divide the pasta onto plates and garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if you like. Serve warm for the best flavor and texture.

Tip: If you want to impress guests, serve family-style in a large bowl with fresh basil or parsley sprinkled on top—it’s simple but makes the dish look extra inviting.

💡Recipe Tips For Success

• Pasta Tip: If you are using gluten-free pasta for this marry me pasta, make sure to cook it al dente. Overcooking can lead to mushy cooked pasta, especially when tossed in the creamy chicken pasta sauce. Stir the pasta while cooking to prevent sticking, and always cook it in a large pot of salted water for the best flavor.
• Rest the Chicken: After cooking the chicken, let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Resting keeps the juices locked in, ensuring juicy bites of chicken.
• Scrape the Browned Bits: When making the sauce, don’t skip scraping up the browned bits left in the skillet after cooking the chicken. These add a depth of flavor to the creamy chicken pasta sauce that ties the dish together.
• Save Some Pasta Water: Adding a cup of starchy pasta water (a tablespoon at a time) can help loosen a thick sauce while making it silky and cohesive.
• Let the Pasta Sit in the Sauce: Once combined, let the pasta sit in the sauce for a couple of minutes on low heat. This step allows the delicious pasta to soak up the flavors of Marry Me Chicken, making the dish even more flavorful.