Budget-Friendly Marry Me Chicken (Print View)

Creamy chicken pasta made with canned tomatoes and pantry staples—a quick, satisfying weeknight option.

# Components:

→ Poultry & Protein

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

→ Pasta

02 - 12 oz 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 oz) 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

# Method:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
03 - Reduce heat to medium in the same skillet. Add minced garlic, dried Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes if using. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add 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 for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
06 - Return the cooked chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Add spinach if using and cook until wilted, about 1 minute.
07 - Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed to achieve desired sauce consistency.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as desired. Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh basil.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes restaurant-quality but uses pantry staples you probably already have on hand.
  • The whole thing comes together in 40 minutes, making it perfect for those nights when you forgot to plan dinner.
  • It's creamy, comforting, and works as an impressive meal for guests who don't need to know how easy it was.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining the canned tomatoes—watery sauce is the fastest way to ruin this dish.
  • Keep the heat gentle once you add the cream so it doesn't break or get grainy.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning at the very end because the sauce concentrates as it cooks and everything becomes saltier than you'd expect mid-cooking.
03 -
  • The reserved pasta water is non-negotiable—starch is what makes sauces cling to pasta instead of sliding off, so use it to adjust consistency at the end.
  • Season in layers rather than all at once; taste as you go and you'll end up with a more balanced dish than if you dump everything in upfront.
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