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

Scale

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