Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe (One Pot, 40 Minutes)

When I come across a dish with a quirky name that does little to describe what it actually is, my first instinct is to pass it over and forget all about it. Last year, though, my curiosity got the better of me when one too many “marry me” recipes (named thus because it’s so good, it may just get you a marriage proposal) came across my desk. Let’s just say, I now know better than to bypass a recipe with a hyperbolic, name—it only took one bite to make me a fan.

What makes a typical “marry me” recipe is generally a rich, creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. With that as the throughline, cooks have taken many paths to find new recipes deserving of the title, from casseroles and beans to soups and chicken salads. My take combines the flavors and feels of the “original” (Delish.com’s aptly named “Original Marry Me Chicken”) with a cozy, easy, one pot pasta. It makes a full meal all by itself and doesn’t take much time to put together—two green flags for any weeknight recipe.

How To Keep Your Pasta Perfectly Cooked

When it comes to one-pot pastas, what must be avoided at all costs, in my opinion, is overcooked pasta. Mushy, broken up pasta will make the whole pot a flop, so here my tips for never having to deal with that problem:

• Choose the right pasta: Many pasta dishes recommend specific shapes to suit the sauce or technique and one-pot pastas are no different. Generally, they call for medium shapes with a cook time between 10 and 14 minutes, avoiding small, thin, or long pastas. You should always read the recipe and look at the photos to see what’s suggested before shopping and cooking.
• Use a timer: I find it’s especially important to keep track of time when cooking a one-pot pasta. I tend to set the timer 2 to 4 minutes shy of the suggested cook time on the package. When the timer goes off, taste a piece of pasta; it should be al dente, or a bit firm, but not hard. When the pasta is al dente, the pot will look very saucy—don’t worry, the pasta will continue to soak up more sauce, even when off the heat.

Easy Tweaks for This One-Pot Pasta

•  Make this recipe even quicker and easier by using leftover or rotisserie chicken; you’ll need about 2 cups of shredded chicken. Sauté the onion and garlic first, adding the shredded chicken after the spices in step 2.
• To use frozen spinach in place of fresh, add it to the pot with the chicken stock or vegetable broth, no need to thaw.