20-Minute Meals • Viral Weeknight Favorite

20-Minute Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Tender golden seared chicken cutlets and al dente rigatoni coated in an irresistible sun-dried tomato, garlic, and parmesan cream sauce with wilted spinach.

By Elena Bennett • 20 Mins Total • 38g Protein per Serving
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Bottom Line Up Front (Quick Answer):

To make 20-minute creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta, sear bite-sized chicken breast cutlets in olive oil and butter until golden (4–5 minutes). Sauté minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian herbs in the pan, then deglaze with chicken broth and heavy cream. Simmer for 3 minutes until velvety, whisk in grated parmesan and fresh baby spinach until wilted, and toss with hot al dente rigatoni.

20-Minute Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan, and spinach

Why Everyone Falls in Love with This Pasta

  • Restaurant Quality in 20 Minutes: The combination of heavy cream, chicken fond, and sun-dried tomatoes mimics slow-simmered sauces in minutes.
  • High-Protein Fuel: Delivering 38g of lean protein per plate, it's hearty comfort food that actually keeps you full all evening.
  • One Pan Sauce: Searing the chicken and simmering the sauce in the same skillet captures all the caramelized fond for intense depth of flavor.

Best Pasta Shapes for Marry Me Sauce

Pasta Shape Sauce Adherence Bite / Texture Cook Time Chef Verdict
Rigatoni Maximum (Tubes capture sauce) Hearty, chewy 11–13 mins Gold Standard (Recommended)
Penne Rigate Excellent (Ridges cling) Firm al dente 10–12 mins Great everyday pantry staple
Fettuccine Good (Ribbon coating) Silky, tender 9–11 mins Best for a classic Alfredo feel
Gluten-Free Penne Good (Watch cook time) Tender 8–10 mins Reserve extra pasta water to prevent drying
Official FastFlavored Recipe

20-Minute Creamy Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Tested and approved by Elena Bennett • Serves 4

Prep Time 5 Mins
Cook Time 15 Mins
Total Time 20 Mins
Yield 4 Servings
Calories 520 kcal

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Boil Pasta: Cook rigatoni in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
  2. Sear Chicken: Season chicken with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp oil and 1 tbsp butter in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Sear 4–5 minutes until golden and cooked through (165°F). Set aside on a plate.
  3. Sauté & Simmer: Melt remaining butter in the skillet. Add garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and chili flakes; cook for 1 minute. Deglaze with broth and heavy cream, scraping up brown bits. Simmer 3 minutes.
  4. Melt Cheese & Greens: Turn heat to low. Whisk in grated parmesan until velvety. Fold in baby spinach until wilted (about 1 minute).
  5. Toss & Garnish: Add cooked rigatoni and chicken to the sauce. Toss for 1–2 minutes, adding 2–3 tbsp reserved pasta water to loosen if needed. Top with torn basil and serve immediately!
520Calories
38gProtein
22gTotal Fat
42gCarbs
3gFiber
620mgSodium

Elena’s Tomato-Oil Secret

Sear in Sun-Dried Tomato Oil: Don't discard the oil inside your jar of sun-dried tomatoes! It is naturally infused with herbs, garlic, and tomato essences. Using 1 to 2 tablespoons of this oil to sear your chicken cutlets infuses savory flavor right from step one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called 'Marry Me Chicken'?
The legend says the combination of tender golden chicken, rich garlic parmesan cream, and sweet sun-dried tomatoes is so delicious that anyone who eats it will want to propose on the spot!
Can I make Marry Me Chicken Pasta dairy-free?
Yes! Swap the heavy cream for full-fat unsweetened coconut cream or cashew cream, use plant-based butter, and substitute nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan for the cheese.
What pasta shape works best with this cream sauce?
Tubular pastas with outer ridges like rigatoni, penne rigate, or cavatappi are ideal because the rich sun-dried tomato sauce clings to the grooves and flows into the tubes.