Easy Marry Me Chicken with Pasta
Easy Marry Me Chicken With Pasta
If you haven’t heard of Marry Me Chicken, where have you been? In just 25 minutes, this famous chicken recipe will have your dinner guests saying “I do.” Our Chicken & Pasta version is a harmonious combination of creamy mascarpone cheese, sweet and smoky sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, our Simply Pesto® Sun-Dried Tomato, Basil and Cheese Sauce and Rigatoni Pasta… it’s more romantic than a marriage proposal!
What is Marry Me Chicken?
Marry Me Chicken is an unforgettable chicken dish featuring tender, juicy chicken breasts in a delectable sun-dried tomato cream sauce. Our variation of this chicken dish includes pasta—specifically our Rigatoni—whose hollows are perfect for scooping up all that delicious cream sauce.
Why is it called Marry Me Chicken?
There are a couple of theories on why this chicken recipe has such a funny name. In one telling, it’s called “Marry Me Chicken” because of how well the flavors come together, or marry, in the dish. This makes sense. When these creamy, sweet and tangy tomato flavors come together… it’s pure magic! You’ll most certainly fall in love.
It has also been said that this chicken dish is so good that making it for your partner will have them asking for your hand in marriage. Try it and let us know what you think!
What kind of chicken should I use for Marry Me Chicken?
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts—or white meat chicken—is the best choice for Marry Me Chicken.
How to Make Marry Me Chicken
This recipe is easier than it looks. With a limited ingredients list and only 25 minutes of your time (prep and cook times included), Marry Me Chicken is a winning weeknight dinner option. This is one delicious chicken and pasta recipe for the whole family!
What Ingredients You'll Need
Marry Me Chicken is easier than you think. This incredibly simple ingredient list begins with boneless, skinless chicken breasts and our signature Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The sauce is a harmonious combination of heavy cream, sweet mascarpone cheese, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, grated Parmesan cheese and our Simply Pesto® Sun-Dried Tomato, Basil and Cheese Sauce. Each ingredient adds a layer of flavor to this decadent sauce.
- DeLallo Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Chicken breasts
- Rigatoni
- Heavy cream
- Mascarpone cheese
- Sun-Dried Tomato, Basil & Cheese Pesto Sauce
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Fresh basil leaves
- Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper
How to Make Marry Me Chicken in 4 Easy Steps
1. Cook the pasta.
Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
2. Season and cook the chicken.
Heat olive oil on medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then add to the pan. Cook chicken for about 6 minutes on each side, or until cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate.
3. Create the creamy sauce.
In the same pan, reduce heat to medium-low. Add heavy cream to the pan and stir in mascarpone, then whisk in pesto. Cook together for 2 minutes.
4. Combine the pasta, chicken and sauce.
Return chicken to the pan. Add sun-dried tomatoes and pasta. Stir in fresh basil and serve.
What To Serve Marry Me Chicken With
Serve up Marry Me Chicken with a crisp garden salad, rice, mashed or roasted potatoes or bakery rolls.
An Italian Twist It’s no secret that we are all about the pasta over here, but this one is a no-brainer. The hollow tubes of the classic Rigatoni are perfect for scooping up that sun-dried tomato cream sauce. Pasta makes Marry Me Chicken a well-rounded meal.
Top Tips and Tricks
Choose thinly cut chicken breasts for a quicker cook time. Thinner breasts cook up more quickly. Chicken is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 165˚F and chicken juices run clear. It should never be pink inside.
Save your pasta cooking water! Before you drain your pasta, always save a cup or more of the pasta cooking water for finishing your sauce. Add a little at a time to loosen sauces. This comes in handy for a creamy sauce like this one.
Marry Me Chicken: FAQ
Is Marry Me Chicken keto-friendly?
No, Marry Me Chicken is not keto-friendly.
Can I make Marry Me Chicken in the crock pot?
You can, but you will need to add chicken broth to the ingredient list. Season and sear the chicken breasts on each side for 2 minutes. Transfer to the crockpot, add 1 cup of chicken broth, pesto and sun-dried tomatoes and cook on low for about 4 hours. After 4 hours stir in the mascarpone and cream and serve with the cooked pasta.
How do I store Marry Me Chicken leftovers?
Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Can I make Marry Me Chicken dairy-free?
Yes. Substitute 1 ½ cups of heavy cream with 1 cup coconut milk and ½ cup chicken broth. For the cheese, use a good quality vegan cream cheese alternative.
Easy Marry Me Chicken With Pasta
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons DeLallo Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (1-pound) package DeLallo Rigatoni Pasta
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 4 ounces mascarpone cheese
- 1 (6.3-ounce) jar DeLallo Simply Pesto® Sauce - Sun-Dried Tomato, Basil & Cheese
- 6 DeLallo Sun-Dried Tomatoes, drained
- 2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil leaves
- DeLallo Grated Parmesan Cheese
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
Directions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet on medium setting, heat olive oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then add to the pan. Cook chicken for about 6 minutes on each side, or until cooked through. Transfer chicken to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add heavy cream to the pan. Stir in mascarpone. Once cheese melts and is fully incorporated, whisk in pesto. Cook together for 2 minutes. Return chicken to the pan. Add sun-dried tomatoes. Cook together for another 5 minutes to marry flavors. Stir in fresh basil.
- Add hot pasta to the pan and stir to coat. Serve sprinkled with fresh grated Parmesan.
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