Description
This One-Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and pasta simmered together in a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, it combines savory Italian spices with a hint of heat and fresh herbs for a comforting and elegant meal all cooked in one pot.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken & Seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2–3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cubed or thinly sliced)
- Salt & black pepper (to taste)
Flavor Base
- 3–4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped, oil-packed for best flavor)
Liquids & Pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or shells)
Finishing Touches
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and black pepper, then cook until golden and mostly cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Build flavor: In the same pot, sauté the minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes, stirring to combine and release their flavors.
- Add liquids & pasta: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir in the pasta, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the pasta is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Finish the dish: Return the cooked chicken to the pot. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and fresh spinach, cooking until the spinach is wilted and the cheese has melted into a creamy sauce.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
- Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for a deeper, more flavorful taste.
- Avoid overcooking the pasta as it will continue to thicken the sauce after cooking.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of pasta water or extra chicken broth to loosen it.
- For extra richness, stir in a knob of butter at the end before serving.
- Variations include using half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter dish, increasing red pepper flakes for spiciness, or adding crispy bacon or Italian sausage for extra protein.
- Add mushrooms or roasted red peppers to boost vegetable content and flavor.
