MARRY ME CHICKEN PASTA

I’m in love with this Marry Me Chicken Pasta! Inspired by the viral Marry Me Chicken, this creamy, decadent dish is packed with flavor, easy to make, and sure to impress. With tender rotisserie chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a luscious creamy sauce, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner or a meal to wow someone special. Using rotisserie chicken makes this dish even easier, there’s no need to cook chicken from scratch, just shred it and toss it in! I’ve also lightened it up, so you get all the delicious flavors without it feeling too heavy. I hope you love it as much as we do!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Creamy & Indulgent: The rich, velvety sauce tastes just as amazing as if it were made with full-fat cream, yet it’s lightened up with low-fat milk and light cream cheese for the perfect balance of flavor and texture.
• Incredibly Delicious: Sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, and fresh basil add the perfect balance of delicious flavor.
• Quick & Easy: It’s made with rotisserie chicken for a fast and flavorful meal.
• Classic Flavors: This pasta dish has all the crave-worthy flavors of classic Marry Me Chicken!
• Healthy: There is no butter or heavy cream in this recipe and only a small amount of oil.

What Is Marry Me Chicken Pasta?

It’s our take on the viral Marry Me Chicken dish, pasta style! This recipe features cooked pasta, rotisserie chicken for simplicity and protein, and the classic flavors of sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan, and basil. It’s super creamy just like the original, but lightened up with light cream cheese and milk instead of heavy cream! This Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe is so delicious, easy, and comforting!

Ingredients Needed

• Pasta: Cook your pasta of choice according to the package directions. Or, use a pasta alternative, if preferred.
• Olive Oil: For sauteéing the shallot and garlic.
• Shallot: Sauté the shallot for the ultimate flavor.
• Garlic: Sauteéd crushed garlic adds incredible flavor.
• Milk: Use 2% milk as the base of the sauce in place of heavy cream.
• Cream Cheese: Reduced-fat cream cheese lightens up this recipe and makes the sauce super creamy.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds delicious, cheesy goodness to the sauce.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Bursting with delicious flavor in the sauce.
• Salt and Pepper: To enhance and balance the flavors.
• Italian Seasoning: For added depth of flavor.
• Chicken: We used shredded rotisserie chicken to keep this recipe super simple and easy!
• Cornstarch: Add a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce.
• Basil: Fresh basil for added flavor and freshness.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional, for a kick of heat.

Substitutions & Variations

• Pasta Options: There are so many pasta options for this recipe! Pick your favorite pasta shape such as penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine. Or, opt for gluten-free pasta, chickpea pasta, protein pasta, or whole wheat pasta. For another option, use Carba Nada, Palmini, or Fiber Gourmet Pasta. Or, serve this sauce over a low-carb pasta alternative such as spaghetti squash or lentils. You can’t go wrong with any of these options, they will all pair perfectly with the creamy, flavorful sauce!
• Chicken To Use: Use shredded rotisserie chicken for an easy and quick option. For another option, use our slow cooker shredded chicken recipe. Or, fully cook boneless skinless chicken breasts and shred them or cut them into bite-sized pieces. You could even use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead.
• Milk To Use: For this Marry Me Pasta, I wanted it to be creamy without all the extra fat. 2% milk was perfect. It gives the sauce a rich, velvety texture while keeping it lighter. If you want an even creamier result, you can also use whole milk.
• Spicy Option: Increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne pepper.
• Marry Me Pasta: Omit the chicken from this recipe for a delicious Marry Me Pasta dish.

How To Make Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Cook the pasta until al dente according to the package directions. Once done, drain and set aside.

Step 2: Place sun-dried tomatoes in a heat-safe bowl with hot water to soften for about 10 minutes, then drain the water and chop them into small pieces.

Step 3: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat.

Sauté the finely chopped shallot and crushed garlic cloves for about 2-3 minutes, until translucent and fragrant.

Step 4: Remove the skillet from the heat. Then, pour in the milk, cream cheese, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Return the skillet to the stove over low heat so the milk doesn’t curdle and mix until the cream cheese is fully incorporated.

Step 5: To thicken the sauce, mix 2 teaspoons of cornstarch with 2 teaspoons of cold water to create a slurry.

After that, stir the slurry into the sauce and continue cooking on low until thickened.

Step 6: Mix in the shredded rotisserie chicken and drained cooked pasta until evenly coated with the sauce.

Step 7: Garnish with fresh basil and optional red pepper flakes.

Serving Suggestions

Many dishes pair well with this Marry Me Chicken Pasta.

• Roasted Vegetables: Serve with a side of roasted balsamic Brussels sprouts or air fryer carrots.
• Bread: Enjoy with a side of garlic bread or crusty bread.
• Salad: Serve it with a light green salad or Caprese salad.
• Potatoes: Serve with a side of crispy air fryer parmesan potatoes.

Expert Tips

• Rehydrate Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Soak them in hot water for about 10 minutes to soften their texture and enhance their flavor before roughly chopping them.
• Incorporate Cream Cheese Smoothly: Stir the sauce thoroughly over low heat to ensure the cream cheese blends evenly.
• Adjust Thickness: Use a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce. If it becomes too thick, add a splash of milk until you reach the desired consistency.

Storage Instructions

Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating: You can reheat leftovers in the microwave or a saucepan on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of milk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Freeze Marry Me Chicken Pasta?

While it is possible to freeze Marry Me Chicken Pasta, we don’t recommend it because the texture of the sauce and pasta will change once frozen. The creamy sauce, made with dairy-based ingredients like cream cheese and milk, can separate or become grainy after thawing. Additionally, pasta tends to absorb moisture and can turn mushy when reheated.

What Does Marry Me Chicken Pasta Taste Like?

This Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavor-packed dish that’s sure to impress! Juicy, tender chicken is smothered in a rich, velvety sauce that perfectly coats every bite of pasta. The slightly tangy sweetness of sun-dried tomatoes adds depth, while Parmesan cheese brings a salty, nutty richness. Sautéed shallots add a subtle sweetness and mild onion flavor, enhancing the savory, garlicky sauce. Fresh basil brightens the dish, tying all the flavors together. Every forkful is indulgent yet comforting, making this easy chicken pasta recipe perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. If you’re craving creamy chicken pasta that’s loaded with bold flavors, this recipe is a must-try!

More Recipes To Try Next!

• Crockpot Marry Me Chicken Recipe
• Cottage Cheese Alfredo Sauce
• One Skillet Cream of Mushroom Chicken
• French Onion Chicken Skillet
• Turkey Pesto Meatballs
• Chicken Alfredo Linguine

If you try this recipe please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.