One Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe
Introduction
This One Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Combining tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh spinach in a rich parmesan sauce, everything cooks together in a single pot for easy cleanup and maximum taste.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, oil drained
- 1 pound boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cubed
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 4 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 3/4 to 1 pound short cut pasta
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 2 cups chopped baby spinach
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh chopped basil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot over medium-high heat, cook the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar with the cubed chicken and 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning. Season with salt and black pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through, then scoop it out and set aside.
- Step 2: Add the butter, chopped garlic, and remaining 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning to the pot. Cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Step 3: Add the pasta and 2 cups of water to the pot. Cook, stirring frequently, until the pasta is al dente, about 8 minutes.
- Step 4: Stir in the whole milk, cream cheese, and parmesan cheese. Mix until the sauce is creamy and well combined.
- Step 5: Return the cooked chicken to the pot. Add the chopped spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and additional parmesan cheese. Gently mix everything together.
- Step 6: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the fresh chopped basil.
- Step 7: Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with extra parmesan and basil if desired. Enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- For a lower-fat version, substitute whole milk with 2% milk and use less cream cheese.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a hint of heat.
- Swap baby spinach for kale or arugula for a different leafy green flavor.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, add a little more cream cheese or reduce the amount of liquid.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-sensitive friendly.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of milk if the sauce has thickened. This pasta does not freeze well due to the dairy content.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken to ensure even cooking. If using frozen chicken, thaw it completely before cooking to avoid uneven texture.
What type of pasta works best in this dish?
Short-cut pasta like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli works well because it holds the creamy sauce better and cooks evenly in one pot.
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One Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
One Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, comforting dish combining tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and basil in a luscious parmesan-infused sauce. This simple stovetop recipe blends savory seasonings and fresh ingredients into a delightful pasta dinner perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, oil drained
- 1 pound boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cubed
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 4 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
Pasta and Sauce
- 3/4 – 1 pound short cut pasta (such as penne or rigatoni)
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
Greens and Herbs
- 2 cups chopped baby spinach
- 1/2 cup fresh chopped basil
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: Heat the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken along with 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning, seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste. Cook the chicken for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is cooked through and no longer pink inside. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics and start pasta: To the same pot, add the butter, chopped garlic, and the remaining 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning. Cook for approximately 2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Then add the short cut pasta and 2 cups of water to the pot.
- Cook pasta and prepare sauce: Stir the pasta frequently and cook over medium heat until it is al dente, about 8 minutes. Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the whole milk, cream cheese, and 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly until the sauce is creamy and smooth.
- Combine ingredients: Slide the cooked chicken back into the pot with the pasta. Add the chopped spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, then gently mix everything together to combine evenly. Remove the pot from heat and stir in the fresh chopped basil.
- Serve: Immediately portion the creamy chicken pasta onto plates or bowls. Garnish with additional fresh parmesan cheese and basil if desired. Enjoy your flavorful and hearty one pot meal!
Notes
- Use short cut pasta like penne, rigatoni, or ziti for even cooking and easy tossing.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts for a juicier result.
- If milk is unavailable, half-and-half or heavy cream can be used for a richer sauce.
- Adjust seasoning by adding more Italian seasoning or freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Adding more sun-dried tomatoes increases tang and sweetness; adjust based on preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: one pot chicken pasta, creamy chicken pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, easy chicken pasta recipe, stovetop pasta dish
