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One-Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta — Italian-American Pasta recipe, 30 min, serves 4Italian-American

One-Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Published ·Updated ·by ·✓ Editorially Reviewed
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High protein

The viral Marry Me Chicken meets one-pot pasta — chicken thighs, penne, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan cream all cook in the same pan. Done in 30 minutes.

30
min
8
prep
🔥
22
cook
👥
4
servings
580
kcal / serving
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Ingredients

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Microplane Premium Zester Grater

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Instructions

1

Heat olive oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven. Toss chicken with Italian seasoning, salt, and red pepper flakes. Sear 4-5 minutes until golden — they'll finish cooking in the sauce.

5:00
2

Add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cook 90 seconds until fragrant.

💡 Don't burn the garlic — pull the pan off heat for 10 seconds if it starts to brown too fast.
3

Pour in chicken broth. Add penne. Stir to submerge pasta in liquid.

4

Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low. Cover and simmer 12-14 minutes, stirring every 4 minutes to prevent sticking.

13:00
💡 The pasta releases starch into the broth — that's what makes the sauce silky.
5

When pasta is al dente and most liquid absorbed, stir in heavy cream and parmesan. Simmer 2 minutes until thick.

2:00
6

Remove from heat. Top with torn basil and extra parmesan. Let rest 2 minutes — sauce thickens further.

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Common Questions

Can I use chicken breast?
Yes, but cut smaller (2 cm cubes) and watch carefully — breast overcooks faster than thigh.
Half-and-half instead of heavy cream?
Possible, but the sauce won't be as silky. If using half-and-half, add 1 tbsp flour to the broth step to help thicken.
Why did my pasta turn gummy?
Too much stirring released too much starch. Stir gently every few minutes, not constantly.
Can I add spinach?
Yes — stir in 4 packed cups baby spinach with the cream. It wilts in the residual heat.

What to drink with this

🍷
Wine
Chianti Classico or Barbera d'Asti — Italy's medium-bodied reds match tomato acidity perfectly.
🍺
Beer
Italian pilsner like Peroni Nastro Azzurro.
🍸
Cocktail
Aperol Spritz — bitter-sweet aperitif balances rich pasta.
🥤
Non-alcoholic
Sparkling water with lemon and a sprig of basil.

Ingredient substitutions

IngredientReplace withRatioNotes
heavy creamcoconut cream (full-fat, scooped)1:1Dairy-free. Slight coconut flavor — works for curries, less so for European dishes.
evaporated milk + 1 tbsp butter per cup1:1Less rich, but mimics heavy cream in sauces.
parmesanPecorino Romano1:1Saltier and sharper; reduce added salt slightly.
Grana Padano1:1Milder, slightly less aged.

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The story behind this recipe ▾
Marry Me Chicken Pasta combines the 2023 TikTok 'Marry Me Chicken' trend with the one-pot pasta technique that exploded in 2014. The result: a single skillet, 6 ingredients of attention, and a sauce people wedding-propose over.
This recipe is for inspiration only. We do not provide food safety, storage, or nutritional advice. Always follow your local food safety guidelines. Check all ingredients for allergens.
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