This One Pan Marry Me Chicken Pasta is packed with smoky bacon, juicy chicken breast, and nestled in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. It’s a marriage proposal and cozy dinner all ready in 40 minutes that will make anyone say, “I do!”
Looking for more one-pot chicken recipes for busy weeknights? Try this White Chicken Skillet Lasagna, Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, and One Pan Chicken and Rice.
This One Pan Marry Me Chicken Pasta cooks everything right in one pot, even the pasta! No draining required.
This creamy chicken pasta is the perfect option for busy weeknights when you want something fast but still special, or even a cozy date-night dinner at home.
After all, it’s called “Marry Me Chicken Pasta” for a reason. It just might win someone over!
Marry Me Chicken Pasta ingredients:
- Thick-cut bacon: Adds smoky flavor and a little richness to the sauce. You can skip it or replace it with pancetta if you prefer.
- Aromatics: Yellow or white onions work, and freshly minced garlic is best. However, you can swap 1 teaspoon of onion powder and ¼ teaspoon of garlic per clove if needed!
- Tomato paste: A small spoonful adds rich umami flavor.
- Seasonings: Salt, oregano, dried parsley, thyme, and a pinch of red pepper flakes add flavor.
- Chicken: Boneless skinless chicken breasts keep things quick and lean, but chicken thighs, leftover roast chicken, or pre-cooked shredded chicken also work. If using pre-cooked chicken, you’ll skip the browning step and add the chicken with the pasta.
- Low-sodium chicken broth: I like using low-sodium chicken broth so I can control the saltiness! If using salted broth, you may want to omit the added salt and season to taste.
- Heavy cream: The secret to a luscious, silky sauce. You can substitute with half and half for a thinner, less rich sauce.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Their tangy, slightly sweet flavor is the heart of this dish. Look for the kind packed in oil for the best flavor!
- Short pasta: Penne is classic, but rigatoni, rotini, or shells all work. Just adjust the cook time slightly.
- Parmesan cheese and parsley (optional): For garnish!
How to make Marry Me Chicken Pasta in one pan:
Everything cooks in one pot, so you only have one dish to clean up! Don’t forget to check the recipe card for the full recipe.
- Cook the onion until tender, then stir in tomato paste, garlic, and seasonings, and cook briefly until fragrant.
- Add the chicken pieces and cook until no longer pink.
- Pour in chicken broth, heavy cream, and sun-dried tomatoes. Bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the pasta, cover, and let it cook gently until al dente.
How to store leftovers:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce.
This pasta can be frozen for up to 3 months, but the texture of the pasta will be softer after thawing so this is something to keep in mind.
Serving suggestions:
This pasta is hearty enough to serve on its own, but a crisp side salad or some Garlic Bread makes it feel like a restaurant meal at home. For a lighter pairing, try Roasted Vegetables like Air Fryer Broccoli or Cheesy Baked Asparagus.
One Pan Marry Me Chicken Pasta
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 2 slices thick cut bacon chopped
- ½ medium onion finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon thyme
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1 lb), cut into 1" pieces
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ⅓ cup sun dried tomatoes drained and chopped
- 2½ cups penne pasta or other short pasta 213 grams
- parmesan and fresh parsley for serving optional
Instructions
- Place the bacon and onion in a large saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until the bacon is crisp and the onion has softened.
- Add tomato paste, garlic, salt, oregano, parsley, thyme and red pepper flakes and cook 1 minute.
- Add the chicken and cook, stirring often, until no longer pink.
- Add the chicken broth, cream and sun dried tomatoes and bring up to a simmer. Stir in the pasta, cover and reduce heat to medium-low.
- Cook, stirring often, until the pasta is cooked to al dente, about 10-12 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Serve with Parmesan and parsley.
Notes
- Bacon and onion: these add a lot of flavor but you can easily skip one or both and continue with the rest of the recipe.
- Chicken: you can swap the chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs or use precooked shredded chicken (you’ll add it in the same place in the recipe).
- Pasta: you can swap the penne for any short cut of pasta, keeping in mind that they may have different cook times and liquid requirements.
Nutrition Information
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- Spicier version: Add extra red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne.
- Vegetarian option: Skip the chicken, chicken broth and bacon, and stir in spinach or mushrooms.
- Add more veggies: Toss in mushrooms or bell peppers with the onions, or chopped spinach in the last few minutes of cooking.
Make-ahead option:
While this dish is best served fresh, you can prep some steps ahead:
- Chop the onion, garlic, and chicken up to a day in advance. Store the aromatics and chicken in their own separate containers.
- Have the sun-dried tomatoes drained and chopped so they’re ready to toss in.
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