Budget-Friendly Marry Me Chicken (Printable Version)

Creamy chicken pasta with canned tomatoes and savory herbs, perfect for an easy, affordable meal.

# What You'll 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 and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove and set aside.
03 - Reduce skillet heat to medium. Add minced garlic, Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add drained diced tomatoes and chicken broth to the skillet. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes to blend flavors.
05 - Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
06 - Return chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Stir in spinach if using, cooking until wilted, about 1 minute.
07 - Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to combine. Add reserved pasta water gradually until desired sauce consistency is reached.
08 - Adjust seasoning to taste and serve hot, garnished with fresh basil.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent and creamy but costs half of what you'd pay ordering takeout.
  • The whole thing comes together faster than you can pour a glass of wine, making weeknight dinners actually exciting again.
  • It proves that canned tomatoes and pantry basics can create something that feels genuinely special.
02 -
  • Drain your canned tomatoes—I learned this the hard way when my first attempt came out soupy instead of creamy, and that one trick changed everything.
  • Don't skip the pasta water; it's your safety net for achieving the right sauce consistency without getting it wrong.
  • Heavy cream can break if your heat is too high or you add it too quickly, so add it slowly and keep things gentle.
03 -
  • Reserve more pasta water than you think you'll need; you can always leave sauce thick, but you can't add back flavor if it gets too dry.
  • Let the cooked chicken sit on a plate for a moment before returning it to the sauce—this keeps it from overdrying while the sauce finishes coming together.
Go Back