This viral recipe made waves across social media a few years ago and remains just as popular to this day. Its name refers to the way it charms those who sample it. Marry Me Chicken reminds me of Ina Garten’s famous Engagement Chicken; a promise to those who cook it will soon be married. Could it really be so delicious that it could entice a romantic partner to choose you for life? I had to find out for myself! 

What goes into the recipe for Marry Me Chicken? Chicken, of course, but also a dreamy sun-dried tomato cream sauce. Perfect for serving over pasta. Traditionally, this recipe adds minced garlic or diced onion. Personally, I find that these ingredients are so bold that you really don’t miss the aromatic vegetables, which makes it ideal for a weeknight meal. Skip the chopping and let the jar of sun-dried tomatoes do the heavy lifting. You can also toss in some quick-cooking vegetables like mushrooms or spinach. Any pasta works, but I prefer a short pasta that can absorb the flavorful sauce. But does Marry Me Chicken live up to its name? There’s only one way to find out!

Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe (Serves 4)

Ingredients:

1 pound chicken tenders

8.5 ounces sun-dried tomatoes in oil (oil drained)

1 package sliced mushrooms and/or 1 bag of fresh spinach 

1 pound pasta (short pasta)

1/3 cup tomato paste

1 pint heavy cream

Salt and pepper

2 tablespoons oil

Fresh basil (optional garnish)

Instructions:

1. Heat a skillet over medium high heat. Add oil and sauté chicken until golden on all sides but not all the way cooked through. Add plenty of salt and pepper. Remove from the pan and set aside.
2. In the same pan over medium heat, add more oil and cook sliced and cleaned mushrooms. Cook until golden brown.
3. In another large stock pot, bring water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and cool the pasta.
4. Add tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes and heavy cream. Stir well and combine. Heat over medium heat and cook until sauce thickens and reduces slightly. Taste for salt and pepper and adjust seasoning as needed. Return chicken to the sauce and cover until the chicken has fully cooked through, another few minutes. 
5. Add fresh spinach to the sauce. The heat from the sauce will cook the spinach.
6. Serve with pasta and garnish the Marry Me Chicken with fresh sliced basil.