Name: One Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into cutlets; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 2 tablespoons olive oil or sun-dried tomato oil; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 2 cups chicken broth; 1 cup heavy cream; 12 oz penne pasta; 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese; 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
Tips for the Best Results
Storage and Reheating
Frequently Asked Questions

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One Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta

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There’s a reason this pasta got its name. Legend has it that whoever you make this for will love it so much they’ll want to marry you on the spot. I don’t know about proposals, but I do know this creamy, sun-dried tomato chicken pasta disappears fast at my table every single time. It’s rich, a little tangy, a little sweet, and it all comes together in one pot with barely any cleanup.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This is the kind of dinner that tastes like you fussed over it for hours, but really it’s just one pot and about 40 minutes of your evening. The sauce is creamy without being heavy, thanks to sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan doing most of the heavy lifting. And because everything cooks in the same pot, including the pasta, you get all that flavor soaked right into the noodles instead of losing it down the sink with your pasta water.

It’s also just forgiving. You don’t need to be precise with this one. Chicken thighs or breasts both work, you can go heavier or lighter on the cream, and it still turns out great.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The chicken is the star here, and boneless, skinless chicken breasts sliced into thinner cutlets work beautifully because they cook fast and stay tender. If you prefer chicken thighs, go for it, they’re a little more forgiving if you accidentally overcook them.

Sun-dried tomatoes are non-negotiable in my opinion. They bring this deep, slightly sweet tang that makes the sauce taste complex without any extra effort. Grab the ones packed in oil if you can find them, and don’t toss that oil either, it’s great for searing the chicken.

For the creamy base, you’ll want heavy cream, chicken broth, and a good amount of freshly grated parmesan. Pre-shredded parmesan can make the sauce grainy, so grate your own if you have a few extra minutes. Garlic, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of red pepper flakes round out the flavor, and fresh basil at the end makes the whole dish smell like a restaurant kitchen.

As for the pasta itself, penne or rigatoni are my go-tos because the sauce clings to every ridge, but honestly any short pasta shape you have in the pantry will do the job.

Tips for the Best Results

💡 Tip: Don’t skip searing the chicken first. Those golden brown bits left in the pot are pure flavor, and they melt right into the sauce once you add the cream and broth.

Slice your chicken evenly so every piece cooks at the same rate. Nobody wants one chunk of dry chicken next to a piece that’s still pink in the middle.

Keep an eye on your pasta while it simmers in the sauce. Stir it every few minutes so it cooks evenly and doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot, and add a splash more broth if things start looking too thick before the pasta is fully tender.

Taste before you serve. Sun-dried tomatoes vary in saltiness depending on the brand, so a little extra salt or a squeeze of lemon at the end can really wake everything up.

Storage and Reheating

Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, which honestly is one of my favorite things about this recipe. It reheats like a dream and somehow tastes even better the next day once all those flavors have had time to hang out together.

📌 Note: Cream sauces can separate or turn a little thick and clumpy when frozen, so I don’t recommend freezing this one if you can help it. It’s really best enjoyed fresh from the fridge within that first few days.

To reheat, warm it gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of milk, cream, or broth stirred in to loosen the sauce back up. The microwave works in a pinch too, just heat it in short bursts and stir in between so the sauce doesn’t break.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prep the chicken and chop everything the day before, but the pasta itself is best cooked fresh so it doesn’t turn mushy sitting in the sauce.

Can I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream?
Yes, though the sauce will be a bit thinner and less rich. Heavy cream gives you that classic velvety texture, but half-and-half works fine if that’s what you have on hand.

What can I substitute for sun-dried tomatoes?
There’s really no perfect swap since they bring such a unique flavor, but roasted red peppers blended with a touch of tomato paste can get you into similar territory in a pinch.

Is this recipe spicy?
Not really. The red pepper flakes add just a gentle warmth in the background, not heat. Feel free to leave them out entirely or add more if you like things spicier.

Recipe