Description
Marry Me Chicken Pasta with Spinach is more than just a dish—it’s a celebration of creamy, comforting flavors with a romantic twist. This irresistible recipe combines tender, juicy chicken, a rich sun-dried tomato cream sauce, fresh baby spinach, and perfectly cooked pasta. The balance of savory, creamy, and vibrant flavors makes it perfect for date nights, family gatherings, or whenever you want to impress. Its name says it all—after one bite, you’ll fall in love
Ingredients
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
300g penne pasta (or fettuccine, rigatoni, or your favorite pasta)
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
½ cup chicken broth
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups fresh baby spinach
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for a kick)
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Optional Add-Ins
Mushrooms, sliced
A splash of white wine for added depth
Toasted pine nuts for crunch
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken
Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat Sear the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through Remove from the pan and let it rest before slicing
Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente Reserve 1 cup of pasta water then drain the pasta
Make the Creamy Sauce
In the same skillet add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute) Add the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream stirring to combine Let the sauce simmer gently until it thickens slightly Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until smooth
Incorporate the Spinach
Add the fresh spinach to the sauce Stir gently until the spinach wilts but retains its vibrant green color
Combine the Dish
Slice the rested chicken into strips Add the cooked pasta and sliced chicken to the skillet Toss everything together until evenly coated with the creamy sauce If needed add reserved pasta water a little at a time to achieve the desired sauce consistency
Serve
Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan if desired Serve hot and enjoy this comforting flavorful dish
Notes
For extra flavor deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine after cooking the chicken
Substitute chicken thighs for a juicier texture
Add mushrooms for an earthy depth or swap in kale if you’re out of spinach
Use gluten-free pasta to make the dish gluten-free
To make it dairy-free substitute coconut cream and nutritional yeast for the heavy cream and Parmesan
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken Pasta with Spinach creamy chicken pasta easy dinner romantic pasta recipe