Ready for a dinner that’s worth falling for? This creamy and tender Marry Me Chicken brings juicy chicken and a rich, flavorful sauce together in one easy skillet. Spoon it over bowtie pasta, and you’ve got a no-fuss, weeknight meal the whole family will ask for again and again.
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Comforting and bold, this Marry Me Chicken recipe is a keeper! Don’t let the name fool you—it might sound romantic, but it’s a simple, made-from-scratch meal that gets you in and out of the kitchen fast, so you can spend more time at the table.
Pan-fried, breaded chicken breasts simmer in a velvety sun-dried tomato sauce packed with herbs, spices, and just the right spicy kick. Served over bowtie pasta and finished with a sprinkle of parmesan, it’s a dish where every ingredient works together—rich, satisfying, and packed with flavor.
Craving more creamy chicken dinner ideas? Try our Chicken Noodle Soup, Chicken Pot Pie, or Cajun Chicken Pasta next!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Everything Just Works: From the crispy, seasoned chicken to the bold, creamy sauce—this chicken recipe brings all the comfort and flavor without complicating your dinner routine.
- Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: No fancy ingredients here—just pantry staples that come together to create something that tastes restaurant-worthy.
- Weeknight-Friendly, Dinner Party-Ready: Quick enough for a busy weeknight, but impressive enough to serve when friends or family stop by.
Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: The main protein in this dish, cooked until golden and juicy. You can also swap out the chicken breast for dark meat (like thighs) for an easy marry me chicken thighs version.
- Flour: Lightly coats the chicken for a golden crust and helps thicken the sauce as it cooks.
- Chicken broth: Adds depth and savory flavor while keeping the sauce light and balanced.
- Heavy Cream: Makes the sauce rich and velvety—an essential part of what makes this dish so comforting.
- Parmesan Cheese: Melts right in adding a bold, cheesy finish to the dish.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Sweet, tangy, and packed with flavor. These add richness and a light red hue to the sauce.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
How to Make Marry Me Chicken
This easy chicken recipe comes together in just 4 steps—nothing fancy, and you’ll be out of the kitchen in around 30 minutes. Grab your cooked and drained pasta, a large skillet, all your ingredients, and let’s get started!
- Step 1: Prep and Dredge. Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise and pound them to an even thickness. In a shallow bowl, mix the flour with garlic salt, black pepper, paprika, and Slap Ya Mama seasoning. Coat each piece of chicken evenly in the seasoned flour.
- Step 2: Fry the Chicken. Heat oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the pan is ready, cook the chicken in batches—about 4 to 5 minutes per side—until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp should be 165°F). Set the cooked chicken aside on a plate.
- Step 3: Make the Marry Me Sauce. In the same pan, sauté the garlic for about a minute. Add the chicken broth, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese. Stir the mixture well and bring to a gentle boil. Then, mix in the red pepper flakes, oregano, basil, parsley, and sun-dried tomatoes. Next, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Assemble and Serve. Plate the chicken over a bed of the pasta, top with sauce, garnish with additional parmesan cheese, and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
With the very best version of this recipe now at your fingertips, you have a filling dish just on its own! Add a few simple sides helps round out your meal even more. Whether you’re keeping it casual with the family or whipping it up for guests, here are a few ideas of how to serve it:
- Serve it over pasta, rice, couscous, or even roasted potatoes for an extra comforting plate.
- Make it a kid-friendly chicken meal. Skip the spicy seasonings, slice the fried chicken into strips, and pair it with mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, or curly fries in the air fryer.
- Lighten it up and add a veggie side like lemon pepper asparagus, Cajun corn, or avocado pasta salad.
Expert Tips
- Pound for Even Cooking: Make sure your chicken is an even thickness so it cooks evenly and stays juicy. You can pound it with a meat mallet or use the back of a heavy frying pan.
- Give the Chicken Space: Don’t overcrowd the pan—this helps the chicken crisp up properly instead of soaking up extra oil.
- Al Dente is Best: Cook your pasta until just tender. Overcooked noodles can turn mushy.
Recipe FAQs
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chicken and sauce in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes, or until warmed through. Freezing isn’t recommended—the cream sauce tends to separate once thawed.
Yes! You can prep the sauce, chicken, and pasta up to 24 hours in advance. Just store each component separately in the fridge, then reheat as instructed above and assemble when you’re ready to serve.
Try This Chicken Recipe with Pasta Today
This dish is so full of flavor and so easy to make, you can serve it up any time you want! It’s an easy chicken and pasta dish that’s loaded with flavor and only requires a minimal amount of work. With a combination like that, you have to give it a try. Make it once, and I know you’ll have it in your dinner rotation forever.
More Delicious Chicken Recipes
Also, try this Chicken Stroganoff from Great Grub, Delicious Treats. This dish is creamy, hearty, and a delicious comfort food that is made with chicken breasts, onions, mushrooms, and tossed in an amazing creamy sauce.
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Marry Me Chicken with Pasta
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts
- 1 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoon Slap Ya Mama
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon parsley flakes
- 1 teaspoon basil
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped
Instructions
- In a large pot, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise and pound to desired thickness.
- In a shallow dish, whisk flour, garlic salt, pepper, paprika and Slap Ya Mama seasoning together.
- Coat each piece of chicken into the flour mixture and coat both sides.
- In a large flying pan, heat butter and oil over medium high heat and place 2-3 pieces of chicken into the pan.
- Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°. Remove from the pan and place on a plate.
- After all the chicken has been cooked, add garlic, stir for a minute, then add chicken broth, heavy cream and parmesan cheese. Stir to combine and cook over medium heat. Bring to a boil and add red pepper flakes, oregano, basil, parsley flakes and sun dried tomatoes into sauce.
- Stir, and reduce heat to low and let simmer for 5 minutes or so.
- Serve chicken over pasta and top with sauce.
Notes
- Pound Evenly for Juiciness: Make sure your chicken is an even thickness before cooking—this helps it cook evenly and stay tender.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Give the chicken space to sear properly. Crowding the pan lowers the temperature and makes the breading soggy.
- Cook Pasta to Al Dente: Slightly firm noodles hold up better when topped with the creamy sauce and won’t turn mushy.
