One Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe
This One Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish made with tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and pasta all cooked together in a single pot for easy cleanup and maximum taste. The combination of cream cheese, parmesan, and fresh basil creates a rich and satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
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
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 3/4 - 1 pound short cut pasta (such as penne or rigatoni)
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 2 cups chopped baby spinach
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- 1/2 cup fresh chopped basil
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: In a large pot over medium-high heat, heat the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar. Add the cubed chicken and 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning, seasoning the chicken with salt and black pepper to taste. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Sauté garlic and cook pasta: In the same pot, add the butter, chopped garlic, and remaining 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning. Cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the pasta along with 2 cups of water. Stir frequently and cook until the pasta is al dente, approximately 8 minutes.
- Create the sauce: Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the whole milk, cream cheese, and parmesan cheese. Continue stirring the mixture until the sauce is creamy and well combined.
- Combine ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the pot, then add the chopped baby spinach, drained sun-dried tomatoes, and additional parmesan cheese. Gently mix everything to combine evenly. Remove the pot from heat.
- Finishing touch: Stir in the fresh chopped basil right before serving. Serve the pasta immediately, topped with extra fresh parmesan and basil if desired. Enjoy your dish warm!
Notes
- Use short cut pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni to hold the sauce better.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts for more flavor and juiciness.
- If whole milk is not available, 2% milk can be used but the sauce will be slightly lighter.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese and parmesan with vegan alternatives.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk to loosen the sauce.
