Chicken Marry Me Pasta Bake has become one of those dinners I turn to when I want something comforting enough for a weekend but easy enough for a regular weeknight. Everything goes into one creamy, cheesy dish, and the oven takes care of the final step.
The combination of tender chicken, creamy Parmesan sauce, and sweet-tangy sun-dried tomatoes gives this pasta plenty of flavor without needing a complicated ingredient list. The sauce coats the pasta while the cheese on top melts into a golden, bubbly layer.
I also like that this feels a little more special than a regular bowl of pasta. Once it comes out of the oven, you can take it straight to the table and let everyone serve themselves.
And that browned cheese around the edges is hard to resist. I always make sure to get a little of those crispy bits in every serving.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Chicken Marry Me Pasta Bake brings the familiar flavors of Marry Me chicken into a hearty baked pasta dish. The chicken adds plenty of protein, while the creamy sauce keeps the pasta rich and satisfying.
Sun-dried tomatoes are especially important here because they add a slightly sweet and tangy flavor that balances the creamy sauce. Garlic, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan round everything out without making the recipe complicated.
It is also a good dinner for sharing. You can prepare the pasta mixture ahead of time, add the cheese when you are ready to bake, and have a bubbling casserole ready for the table.
Ingredients for Chicken Marry Me Pasta Bake
For the Chicken and Pasta
- Chicken breast: Use 1 large chicken breast, cut into small bite-sized pieces.
- Pasta: Use 8 ounces of penne or another short pasta.
- Olive oil: Use 1 tablespoon for cooking the chicken.
- Garlic: Use 2 cloves, minced.
- Italian seasoning: Use 1 teaspoon.
- Salt and black pepper: Season to taste.
For the Creamy Sauce
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Use ½ cup, chopped. Drain them first if they are packed in oil.
- Heavy cream: Use 1 cup.
- Chicken broth: Use ½ cup.
- Parmesan cheese: Use ½ cup grated.
- Mozzarella cheese: Use 1 cup shredded for the topping.
- Red pepper flakes: Optional if you want a little heat.
- Fresh basil: Optional for serving.
How to Make Chicken Marry Me Pasta Bake
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta. Cook it according to the package directions, but stop when it is just al dente because the pasta will continue cooking in the oven. Drain it well and set it aside while you prepare the chicken and sauce.
- Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken breast into small, even-sized pieces so they cook at roughly the same rate. Season the chicken on all sides with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, making sure the seasoning is spread evenly over the pieces.
- Brown the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes, turning them occasionally so they brown on several sides. The chicken should be cooked through and lightly golden before you remove it from the skillet.
- Cook the garlic: Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly. You only need to cook the garlic until it becomes fragrant because it can turn bitter if it gets too dark.
- Add the sun-dried tomatoes: Stir the chopped sun-dried tomatoes into the skillet and cook them with the garlic for about 1 minute. This gives the tomatoes a chance to warm through and release more of their flavor into the skillet.
- Make the creamy sauce: Pour the chicken broth and heavy cream into the skillet, then stir well while scraping up any browned pieces from the bottom. Let the mixture come to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes so the flavors can come together.
- Add the Parmesan: Stir the grated Parmesan into the warm cream sauce and continue stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth. If you want a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes at this stage.
- Combine the pasta and chicken: Add the cooked pasta and browned chicken to the skillet with the creamy sauce. Stir everything together gently until the pasta is evenly coated and the chicken and sun-dried tomatoes are distributed throughout the dish.
- Check the consistency: If the sauce looks too thick, add a small splash of chicken broth and stir again. The mixture should look creamy and saucy before it goes into the oven because the pasta will absorb more sauce as it bakes.
- Add the mozzarella: Spread the pasta into an even layer in the skillet, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the top. Try to cover most of the surface so you get a melted, cheesy layer across the entire bake.
- Bake the pasta: Place the skillet in a preheated 400°F oven and bake for about 10 to 15 minutes. The pasta is ready when the sauce is bubbling around the edges and the mozzarella has completely melted.
- Brown the cheese: If you want a more golden top, switch the oven to broil for 1 to 2 minutes. Keep a close eye on it during this step because the cheese can go from golden to burnt very quickly.
- Let it rest: Remove the pasta bake from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving. This gives the sauce a little time to settle and makes it easier to scoop without the pasta falling apart.
- Finish and serve: Add fresh basil and a little extra Parmesan if desired. Spoon the pasta into bowls while it is still warm, making sure each serving gets some chicken, creamy sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and browned cheese from the top.
What to Serve Chicken Marry Me Pasta Bake
Chicken Marry Me Pasta Bake is rich and filling, so I usually serve it with something fresh rather than another heavy side. A simple green salad with lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, and a light dressing works especially well.
Garlic bread is another good choice if you want something to soak up the creamy sauce. A crusty loaf works just as well, and you do not need much because the pasta itself is already quite hearty.
For more vegetables, roasted broccoli, asparagus, or green beans make easy sides. Their slightly crisp texture gives you a nice contrast to the soft, creamy pasta.
If you are keeping dinner simple, you can skip the sides altogether and just finish the pasta with fresh basil and Parmesan. It has enough flavor and texture to stand on its own.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover Chicken Marry Me Pasta Bake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Let the pasta cool slightly before transferring it to the container, then refrigerate it promptly.
The sauce will thicken as it cools because the pasta continues to absorb some of the liquid. Before reheating, add a small splash of chicken broth, milk, or cream to help loosen the sauce.
For individual portions, the microwave is convenient. Heat the pasta in short intervals, stirring between each one so the center warms evenly without overheating the edges.
For a larger amount, cover the pasta with foil and reheat it in a 350°F oven until hot throughout. Keep it covered while reheating so the chicken stays moist and the pasta does not dry out.
If you want the cheese on top to become golden again, uncover the dish during the last few minutes of reheating. A little fresh Parmesan and basil before serving also helps bring the leftovers back to life.
Ingredients
Method
- Cook the pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water until just al dente, then drain well and set it aside.
- Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken into even bite-sized pieces and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- Brown the chicken: Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet and cook the chicken for 5 to 6 minutes until golden and cooked through, then transfer it to a plate.
- Cook the garlic and tomatoes: Lower the heat, cook the minced garlic briefly, then stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and warm them through.
- Make the sauce: Add chicken broth and heavy cream, scrape up the browned bits, and simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add Parmesan: Stir in Parmesan until melted and smooth, adding red pepper flakes if desired.
- Combine: Return the chicken and pasta to the skillet and stir until everything is evenly coated in sauce.
- Top and bake: Cover the pasta with shredded mozzarella and bake at 400°F for 10 to 15 minutes until bubbling and melted.
- Brown and rest: Broil for 1 to 2 minutes if desired, then let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Leave a Reply