Marry Me Chicken Pasta Is My Family's Favorite Weeknight Dinner

2024-05-22
Marry Me Chicken Pasta Is My Family's Favorite Weeknight Dinner
Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
22 mins
Total Time:
42 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
7 1/2 cups

It's rare that I serve a dinner that earns rave reviews from every single member of my family. This twist on Marry Me Chicken was such a hit, I've made it nearly every week since we first created the recipe. I love so many things about it: it's quick, cooks in just one pan, and is a complete meal. But my favorite thing about this chicken skillet recipe is just how easy it is to customize. My girls love cherry tomatoes, so I always add those. One week I had kale instead of spinach, and the dish turned out great. Give this weeknight winner a try. I hope your family loves it as much as mine does.

How to Make Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Here's a quick look at how to make our Marry Me Chicken Pasta recipe. Like Marry Me Chicken, this dish is made with boneless, skinless chicken thighs, a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce, spinach, and penne pasta.

  1. Cook your chicken in a skillet and remove.
  2. Make the sauce by cooking onion and garlic in the same pan. Then add cream, broth, sun dried tomatoes, seasonings, and Parmesan cheese.
  3. Add the chicken back to the pan and finish the skillet with fresh spinach and basil. That's it!

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 1/2 pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs, cut in 1-inch pieces

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 2 tablespoons butter

  • 1 cup chopped onion

  • 3 clove garlic, minced

  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour

  • 2 cups reduced sodium chicken broth

  • 1 cup whipping cream

  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish

  • 1/3 cup oil packed sun dried tomatoes, drained and chopped

  • 1 teaspoon italian seasoning

  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

  • 8-ounces penne or rigatoni pasta, cooked according to package directions

  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach

  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish

Directions

  1. In an extra-large skillet heat oil over medium heat. Add chicken, salt, and pepper. Cook 8 minutes until lightly browned and no longer pink in the center. Remove chicken from the skillet.

  2. Add butter to the skillet. When melted, add onion. Cook 5 minutes until tender and starting to brown. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in flour. Cook and stir 1 minute. Add broth and cream. Bring to a boil. Continue to cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Stir in Parmesan, dried tomato, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and crushed red pepper.

  3. Add chicken, pasta, spinach, and basil to the skillet. Cook and stir 2 minutes until heated through and spinach wilts. Garnish servings with additional Parmesan and basil.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

781 Calories
49g Fat
34g Carbs
54g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 781
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 49.4g 63%
Saturated Fat 24.2g 121%
Cholesterol 300.8mg 100%
Sodium 1169.2mg 51%
Total Carbohydrate 34g 12%
Dietary Fiber 3.2g 11%
Total Sugars 5.2g
Protein 53.9g 108%
Vitamin D 1.5mcg 8%
Vitamin C 19.1mg 21%
Calcium 229.1mg 18%
Iron 4.2mg 23%
Potassium 1025.9mg 22%
Fatty acids, total trans 1.2g
Vitamin D 62.2IU
Alanine 2.8g
Arginine 3.3g
Ash 6.3g
Aspartic acid 4.7g
Caffeine 0mg
Carotene, alpha 1.8mcg
Choline, total 197.6mg
Copper, Cu 0.4mg
Cystine 0.6g
Energy 3270.5kJ
Fluoride, F 6mcg
Folate, total 106.4mcg
Glutamic acid 9.5g
Glycine 2.2g
Histidine 1.5g
Isoleucine 2.4g
Leucine 4.3g
Lysine 4.3g
Methionine 1.4g
Magnesium, Mg 92.7mg
Manganese, Mn 0.7mg
Niacin 13.5mg
Phosphorus, P 564.9mg
Pantothenic acid 3mg
Phenylalanine 2.1g
Phytosterols 19.9mg
Proline 2.8g
Retinol 334.1mcg
Selenium, Se 80.9mcg
Serine 2.2g
Starch 14.7g
Theobromine 0mg
Threonine 2.3g
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) 2.4mg
Tryptophan 0.6g
Tyrosine 1.9g
Valine 2.5g
Vitamin A, IU 3238.3IU
Vitamin A, RAE 440.3mcg
Vitamin B-12 1mcg
Vitamin B-6 1mg
Vitamin K (phylloquinone) 101.5mcg
Water 380.6g
Zinc, Zn 4.7mg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Related Article

Easy Pumpkin Poke Cake Is the Best Dessert You'll Have This Fall

Easy Pumpkin Poke Cake Is the Best Dessert You'll Have This Fall

Pumpkin season is here, and it's time to celebrate. Luckily, we have this caramel pumpkin poke cake recipe to make it happen. Each bite is loaded with pumpkin, shredded apple, caramel, and whipped cream.
Black-Eyed Pea Hummus Is a Flavorful Twist on the Classic

Black-Eyed Pea Hummus Is a Flavorful Twist on the Classic

A simple twist on classic hummus, this black-eyed pea hummus will surprise you with its earthy flavor, fluffy texture, and bonus pickled black-eyed pea topper. Go ahead, grab the chips.
Ricotta Flatbread

Ricotta Flatbread

Three different types of peas gives this easy ricotta flatbread recipe a slightly sweet flavor and crunchy texture.
2024’s Drink of Summer Is the 4-Ingredient Lone Ranger Cocktail

2024’s Drink of Summer Is the 4-Ingredient Lone Ranger Cocktail

The 2024 Drink of Summer is like a mash-up recipe of a spritz cocktail and a French 75—with a trendy spirit swap. Find out why the Lone Ranger is our mixologists’ pick for the drink of summer, then learn how to make the Lone Ranger cocktail at home with a tested-and-perfected drink recipe from our Test Kitchen.
The Batanga Cocktail Is More Than Tequila and Coke—Here's How to Make It

The Batanga Cocktail Is More Than Tequila and Coke—Here's How to Make It

The internet can't get enough of this easy-to-make cocktail.
These Side Dishes for Tacos Are Ready For You to Build a Restaurant-Style Menu

These Side Dishes for Tacos Are Ready For You to Build a Restaurant-Style Menu

Our best side dishes for tacos will help you create a flavorful spread of Mexican recipes. Pair your main dish with salsa, rice, beans, nachos, dips…or all of the above side dishes for tacos. Shake up a batch of margaritas and the stage, okay, your table, is set for an unforgettable taco night.
Godzilla Roll Sushi Bake

Godzilla Roll Sushi Bake

This sushi bake recipe makes your favorite sushi roll a breeze to make. Get the delicious taste with half the work by following our Godzilla Roll Sushi Bake recipe.
19 Korean-Inspired Recipes You Can Make at Home

19 Korean-Inspired Recipes You Can Make at Home

From bulgogi to bibimbap, gochujang to kimchi, Korean flavors are here. Our best Korean-inspired recipes will allow you to get acquainted, experienced, and fall deeper in love with Korean food.
How to Make Ultra-Crispy Korean Fried Chicken

How to Make Ultra-Crispy Korean Fried Chicken

This Korean fried chicken recipe is spicy, sweet, and perfectly crispy.
These Greek Lemon Potatoes Are My Family’s Favorite Side Dish

These Greek Lemon Potatoes Are My Family’s Favorite Side Dish

Greek Lemon Potatoes
Can You Eat Salmon Skin? Yes—And Here’s the No. 1 Secret to Cooking it Properly

Can You Eat Salmon Skin? Yes—And Here’s the No. 1 Secret to Cooking it Properly

Not all seafood is enjoyable skin-on, so you might be wondering, “can you eat salmon skin?” You sure can, but it’s important to employ a few simple strategies to ensure it’s golden-brown and crispy (rather than rubbery). We’ll walk you through how to cook salmon skin—both on the fish and off as a makeshift “chip.”
Our Recipe Testers Couldn't Get Enough of this Dill Pickle Soup

Our Recipe Testers Couldn't Get Enough of this Dill Pickle Soup

Dill pickle soup is a creamy blend of pickles, potatoes, sour cream, and broth. Here we'll walk you through how to make dill pickle soup, including our favorite toppings.
Stir Fry Spaghetti Is the Innovative Culinary Creation You Won't Get Tired Of

Stir Fry Spaghetti Is the Innovative Culinary Creation You Won't Get Tired Of

Nutritious and simple to make, changing up your spaghetti-cooking technique introduces you to a world of new flavors.
Move Over Eggs: Scrambled Pancakes Are the Newest Breakfast Staple

Move Over Eggs: Scrambled Pancakes Are the Newest Breakfast Staple

TikTok is breaking pancake norms—instead of making pancakes into perfect circles, home chefs are scrambling them. It saves on time, but people have opinions on the texture.
Million Dollar Bacon Is Totally Addictive—And So Easy to Make

Million Dollar Bacon Is Totally Addictive—And So Easy to Make

Give your breakfast a major upgrade with a side of sweet and salty million dollar bacon. This easy bacon recipe starts with thick cut slices that are slathered with maple syrup and cracked black pepper.
Mashed New Potatoes

Mashed New Potatoes

Mashed New Potatoes
17 Cold Lunches to Pack on a Hot Day

17 Cold Lunches to Pack on a Hot Day

We may be in the final weeks of summer, but that doesn’t mean the hot weather is going anywhere quite yet. If you’re looking to take your lunch on-the-go without sacrificing flavor, check out these cold lunch ideas that are perfect to enjoy on a hot and sunny day.
Turkey-Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Turkey-Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

We think grilled cheese could use an upgrade from just bread and cheese, don't you? To makeover this crowd-pleasing sandwich just a little, we added sweet onion, apple slices, turkey, and apple jelly to the cheesy filling in the center.
Gluten-Free Giant Ginger Cookies

Gluten-Free Giant Ginger Cookies

We've used a 1/4 cup of cookie dough for each of these giant, molasses-infused cookies. If you prefer smaller cookies, there's instructions for mini gluten-free ginger cookies, too.
Grilled Chicken with Blueberry-Tarragon Sauce

Grilled Chicken with Blueberry-Tarragon Sauce

If you don't want to use wine, ½ cup of pomegranate juice gives the sauce a similar tang. Either one is amazing on this grilled chicken recipe for that's perfect for summer.