Budget-Friendly Marry Me Chicken (Printable)

Creamy chicken pasta with canned tomatoes and pantry staples for an easy, comforting weeknight dish.

# What You Need:

→ Poultry & Protein

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Pasta

02 - 12 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta

→ Sauce & Dairy

03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
06 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
07 - 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
08 - 1/2 cup chicken broth
09 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
10 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
11 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Vegetables & Garnish

12 - 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped (optional)
13 - Fresh basil, chopped, for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook until golden and cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic, dried Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add the drained diced tomatoes and chicken broth to the skillet. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes to meld flavors.
05 - Stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Simmer gently until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2 to 3 minutes.
06 - Return chicken along with any accumulated juices to the skillet. Add spinach if using and cook until wilted, approximately 1 minute.
07 - Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Add reserved pasta water gradually if needed to adjust sauce consistency.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped fresh basil.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like you spent all afternoon cooking but you've actually got dinner ready before 7 PM.
  • The creamy tomato sauce clings to every piece of pasta in a way that feels decadent on a weeknight budget.
  • One skillet means you're not drowning in dishes after dinner, which is honestly half the battle.
02 -
  • Drain those canned tomatoes properly or your sauce will be thin and watery instead of silky.
  • Don't let the cream boil hard or it can split—keep the heat medium and gentle once the dairy goes in.
  • Reserve pasta water before draining because that starch is what helps the sauce cling to the noodles instead of sliding off.
03 -
  • Mincing your garlic fine and letting it bloom in hot oil for just one minute transforms the whole dish from good to crave-worthy.
  • The pasta water is not optional—that starch is what makes the sauce coat instead of pool at the bottom of the bowl.
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