Copycat Marry Me 30-Min Magic Pasta

By anna Boncoeur On November 15, 2025

No heading needs to be written for the introduction.

If you’ve been scrolling through social media looking for that one viral dish that actually lives up to the hype, stop right there! I’m Anna, and I live for turning those restaurant-worthy meals into something you can whip up on a Tuesday night. My entire kitchen philosophy centers on making everyday cooking easier and bringing huge flavor without needing a million pans. That’s why I’m so excited to share my take on the absolute sensation: the Copycat Marry Me Creamy Chicken Pasta.

Seriously, this dish is magic. We’re talking tender chicken, those gorgeous specks of sun-dried tomatoes, and a Parmesan cream sauce so rich you’ll want to bathe in it. And the best part? It’s a true one-pan wonder that gets dinner on the table in about 30 minutes flat. I’ve tested and tweaked this recipe to make sure the sauce doesn’t break and the chicken stays perfectly juicy. As a passionate home cook, I promise this version is just as satisfying as anything you’d get out at a fancy spot, but without all the fuss. Get ready for your new weeknight staple!

Table Of content

Gathering Your Ingredients for Copycat Marry Me Creamy Chicken Pasta

Okay, before we even turn on the stove, let’s make sure the counter is stocked. Because this is a speedy recipe, having everything measured out beforehand—what my mom calls mise en place—is truly the secret weapon. It keeps everything flowing smoothly so you don’t panic when you realize you need to chop basil while the garlic is browning! Trust me on this one; getting organized means you actually enjoy the process.

We’re using quality ingredients here because they really shine through in a simple cream sauce. Don’t skimp on the Parmesan, and definitely make sure you have fresh lemon juice—it cuts through the richness perfectly!

Essential Components for This Creamy Chicken Pasta

Here is what you’ll need for six generous servings. I find putting this into a visual list helps so much!

Component	Amount	Notes
Chicken Breasts	1\u00bd pounds	Boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces
Penne Pasta	12 ounces	Or your favorite short pasta shape
Olive Oil & Butter	2 Tbsp oil, 3 Tbsp butter	For searing and building the sauce base
Aromatics & Seasoning	5 cloves garlic (minced), 1 tsp salt, \u00bd tsp pepper, \u00bd tsp garlic powder	Don’t skip the fresh garlic!
Roux & Liquid	3 Tbsp flour, 2 cups chicken broth, 1\u00bd cups heavy cream	The foundation of our sauce
Flavor Boosters	\u00be cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped), 1 Tbsp tomato paste, 2 tsp paprika, 2 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 tsp oregano, \u00bd tsp thyme, \u00bd tsp red pepper flakes	This spice blend is non-negotiable!
Finishing Touches	Zest & 2 Tbsp juice of 1 lemon, 1 cup grated Parmesan, 3 cups baby spinach, \u00bc cup fresh basil (chopped)	Fresh herbs make all the difference

Necessary Equipment for Perfect Copycat Marry Me Creamy Chicken Pasta

You don’t need a ton of fancy gadgets for this one-pan wonder, which is part of why I love it so much! The main things you absolutely must have are a large, deep skillet or a Dutch oven—something big enough to hold all that pasta and sauce without it spilling over the sides when you toss it.

Of course, you’ll also need a regular pot for boiling your penne. Make sure you have a good whisk handy, too! You’ll want that whisk ready when we add the broth so we can avoid any pesky flour lumps.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Copycat Marry Me Creamy Chicken Pasta

This is where the magic happens, and honestly, it moves fast! Because we prepped everything already, we’re just layering flavors. Keep your heat steady, and don’t walk away—that’s my main piece of advice for any one-pan skillet meal.

Preparing the Pasta and Chicken

First things first, get that pasta cooking according to the package directions until it’s just shy of done—al dente is perfect. The most crucial step here is reserving about a full cup of that starchy, salty pasta water before you drain the rest! That water is liquid gold; it helps bind the sauce later on, so seriously, don’t forget it. Set the drained pasta aside.

Next, let’s talk chicken. You need those pieces completely dry—I mean paper towel dry! Moisture steams the meat instead of searing it, and we want golden brown crusts here. Take your 1-inch pieces and toss them with the salt, pepper, and garlic powder right on the cutting board. Heat your olive oil in that big skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the chicken in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the pan, or it will steam! Cook these beauties for about 6 to 8 minutes, turning them until they are beautifully golden brown all over. You must check that internal temperature; we are aiming for 165°F (74°C) to know they are safe and cooked through. Once they hit that temp, pull the chicken out onto a clean plate and let it rest while we move on to the sauce.

Building the Flavor Base and Roux for Copycat Marry Me Creamy Chicken Pasta

Reduce your heat slightly to medium because we are working with aromatics now! Drop in your butter to melt in the same skillet. As soon as it foams, toss in your minced garlic. Garlic burns fast, so stir it constantly for just about 60 seconds until you can really smell it—that’s your cue!

Now for the thickening agent: sprinkle in the all-purpose flour right over that garlic butter. You need to whisk this mixture constantly for a full two minutes. This is your roux, and cooking out that raw flour taste is vital for a smooth sauce. It should look a little sandy, but don’t let it brown too much.

Time to introduce the liquid slowly! Whisk in the chicken broth gradually, pouring just a little bit at a time while you keep whisking like crazy to break up any clumps. Once the broth is incorporated, stir in the tomato paste, those chopped sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, Italian seasoning, oregano, thyme, and those little red pepper flakes. Let that simmer gently for about three to four minutes, stirring often, until the sauce thickens up noticeably.

Creating the Rich Parmesan Cream Sauce

Lower the heat down to low—we don’t want to boil the cream! Slowly whisk in your heavy cream until everything is nicely combined. Now, bring in the flavor powerhouse: the grated Parmesan cheese, the lemon zest, and the fresh lemon juice. Keep stirring until that cheese melts completely into the sauce, making it velvety smooth.

If you taste it now, you might notice it’s a little thick—that’s okay! This is where we adjust. If it seems too dense, drizzle in just a splash or two of that reserved pasta water we saved earlier. It thins it out perfectly while adding starch for better clinging power.

Combining Everything for the Final Copycat Marry Me Creamy Chicken Pasta

Bring the cooked chicken (and any juices that collected on the plate—we want all that flavor!) back into the skillet. Next, dump in all that cooked penne pasta. Toss everything gently but thoroughly until every piece of pasta and chicken is coated in that gorgeous sauce. This is your cue to add about half a cup of that reserved pasta water if it still looks a bit dry.

Now for the greens! Toss in the fresh baby spinach. No need to cook it long; just stir it until it wilts down, which only takes a minute or two. Immediately take the whole skillet off the heat. We finish this dish off the heat so the basil stays bright and doesn’t turn black. Fold in your fresh, chopped basil leaves. Serve this immediately, piled high with extra Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top. Enjoy!

Tips for Achieving Restaurant-Quality Copycat Marry Me Creamy Chicken Pasta

Getting this dish to taste like it came straight from that famous, romantic restaurant is all about respecting a couple of small details. My biggest non-negotiable tip for this Copycat Marry Me Creamy Chicken Pasta is the cheese. Please, please, please grate your Parmesan fresh off the block! The pre-grated stuff is coated in stuff to keep it from clumping in the bag, but those additives make the sauce grainy and prevent it from melting into that smooth, luxurious texture we are aiming for. It’s worth the extra minute!

Secondly, remember that starchy pasta water we saved? Use it liberally! If you find your sauce seems too heavy or thick once you add the cooked pasta, a ladle of that cloudy water is your quick fix. It doesn’t water down the flavor; instead, the starch helps emulsify the fats in the cream and butter, making the sauce cling beautifully to every piece of penne. It’s the difference between a watery sauce and a sauce that coats the back of a spoon perfectly.

Also, don’t rush the chicken searing! We need that nice golden-brown crust to build flavor depth in the pan before we even start the sauce. And when you add the spinach, take the pan off the heat first. That residual warmth is enough to wilt it down perfectly while keeping that vibrant green color. Follow these little tricks, and you’ll nail this creamy chicken dish every single time!

Frequently Asked Questions About This Creamy Chicken Dish

I get so many questions about adapting this recipe because once people try it, they want to make it again immediately! It’s so versatile, but a few tweaks can sometimes throw off the balance, especially in a fast one-pan chicken dish like this.

Here are the things I hear most often when folks try to customize their creamy chicken goodness.

Can I use a different type of pasta in this recipe?

Absolutely! Penne is great because the ridges grab the sauce really well, but feel free to swap it out. If you use something long like fettuccine, you might need a little extra reserved pasta water to make sure everything gets coated nicely. Rotini or fusilli work wonderfully too because those spirals trap all the little bits of sun-dried tomato and herbs. Just make sure you cook whatever you choose until it’s perfectly al dente because it will soften a bit more when you toss it into the hot sauce at the end.

How do I store leftovers of Copycat Marry Me Creamy Chicken Pasta?

Storing leftovers of Copycat Marry Me Creamy Chicken Pasta is easy, but you have to remember that cream sauces tend to thicken up a lot in the fridge overnight. You want to let the dish cool down completely before you put it into an airtight container. I find that storing it in the fridge for up to three days is totally fine. When you go to reheat it, you’ll probably think it looks dry or clumpy at first—don’t panic! Just stir in a splash of milk or a little extra chicken broth while reheating gently on the stove, and it will loosen right back up into that beautiful, creamy consistency again.

Storing and Reheating Your Delicious Meal

We all hope this dish gets devoured in one sitting, but let’s be real—sometimes we have leftovers! That’s great news because this Copycat Marry Me Creamy Chicken Pasta tastes pretty fantastic the next day, provided you treat the sauce kindly during reheating. You can safely store any remaining pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Just make sure it’s cooled down before sealing the lid!

When you’re ready to eat it again, the key is adding liquid back in slowly. Never microwave this straight from the fridge; it often separates the sauce. Instead, warm it up gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring constantly and adding a splash of liquid—either milk, cream, or broth—until it loosens back up. Here’s a quick guide:

Storage Item	Duration	Reheating Tip
Leftovers	Up to 3 days	Stovetop only, low heat
Moisture Needed	Approx. \u00bc cup	Add broth or milk slowly while stirring

Resist the urge to blast it on high heat; low and slow is the way to rescue that rich Parmesan sauce!

Your Thoughts on This Recipe

I truly hope this quick, flavorful chicken dinner becomes a regular in your rotation! I poured my heart into making this Copycat Marry Me Creamy Chicken Pasta easy to master. I’d absolutely love to hear what you thought of the sauce! Let me know in the comments below how it turned out for you, and if you tried any fun little additions of your own. Happy cooking! Enjoy!