This Marry Me Chicken Pasta is a delicious recipe for date night or a weeknight dinner, made with sundried tomatoes, basil and Parmesan.
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I'm a dietitian, but I'll never tell you to not eat pasta. Honestly, pasta gets a bad rep but it's a great base for a flavorful balanced meal. For example, in this marry me chicken pasta we take a classic pasta recipe and pair it with a lean protein and ton of veggies for balance.
Now, why do we call this "marry me" chicken pasta? Well for starters, it's inspired by the popular marry me chicken. But it truly will want to make you marry anyone who serves you this recipe. It's a great option for date nights or a homemade Valentine's day meal.
For more balance pasta recipes, try my mushroom spaghetti or cheesy spinach artichoke pasta. All foods fit around here, and I guarantee you'll want to fit this marry me chicken pasta into your meal rotation.
Why This Recipe Is Dietitian Approved
- Ready in 30 minutes. This marry me chicken pasta is the quickest meal that still manages to impress.
- Lighter take on a classic. We're lightening up this pasta by using Greek yogurt instead of cream and adding some veggies for balance. Don't worry, it still has all the goodness of the original!
- Made in one pan. Who doesn't love a one pan meal? Less mess, less fuss.
Ingredients
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Ground chicken. This is our source of lean protein, however ground turkey will also work well.
Sundried tomatoes. I choose to use sundried tomatoes jarred and stored in oil for the best taste.
Garlic and onion. The aromatics are essential in any good pasta. I always recommend using fresh garlic and yellow or spanish onions.
Spinach. Three large handfuls of fresh spinach are added to this recipe for additional vegetables and nutrients. You won't even notice it!
Spices. In this recipe, we use Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, paprika, and red pepper flakes.
Chicken broth. Cooking our pasta in chicken broth adds an extra layer of flavour. For extra protein, you can also use a bone broth.
Small pasta. Any small pasta will work well in this recipe. I love using a small shell pasta however orzo, or any smaller shape is also a great choice.
Parmesan cheese. Stirring in a little bit of Parmesan adds the perfet bit of savory and umami depth to this pasta.
Greek yogurt. This is my secret ingredient for reducing the fat content of this marry me chicken pasta, while still creating a creamy texture. I recommend using 5% Greek yogurt for the creamiest texture, however I have provided some substitutions below.
Basil. Fresh basil is used to bring the dish together.
The complete ingredient list with measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Instructions
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- In a large pan over medium-high heat add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once hot, add the ground chicken. Use a spatula to gently break up the meat, stirring frequently until fully cooked and no longer pink in colour. Season with salt and black pepper.
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- Once the meat is cooked, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil followed by the garlic, onion, sundried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and paprika. Cook, stirring frequently until garlic is fragrant and onions appear translucent in colour. Add the spinach in, stirring until wilted.
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- To the same pan, pour in chicken broth and add the dry pasta. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and allow the pasta to cook (this should take about 15 - 20 minutes depending on the size and type of your pasta). I recommend stirring periodically to ensure the bottom of the pan does not burn.
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- Remove from the heat, stir in Parmesan cheese and Greek yogurt. Serve topped with fresh basil.
Substitutions and Variations
To make gluten-free: use a gluten-free pasta if desired. Chickpea pasta is a great higher protein alternative.
To make dairy-free: Greek yogurt can be replaced with a dairy-free heavy cream or thick yogurt alternative (just ensure it is plain). I love this dairy-free Parmesan.
To make nut-free: this recipe is naturally nut-free.
For additional veggies, add 1 shredded zucchini when cooking the ground chicken .
If you wish to use chicken breast, you can swap ground chicken for cubed boneless, skinless chicken breast. Just ensure the chicken is fully cooked prior to adding the additional ingredients.
Equipment
Storage
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Top Tips for Success
Here are some dietitian swaps if you're looking to make a more balanced variation:
- Swap white pasta for higher fiber pasta (e.g. chickpea or whole wheat)
- For additional vegetables, add shredded zucchini or diced red bell peppers into the ground chicken mixture
- Use a low sodium chicken broth
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! I recommend substituting the Greek yogurt with a dairy-free cream or thick yogurt. The Parmesan can be replaced with a dairy free Parmesan such as this one.
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More Pasta Recipes
Looking for more balanced pasta recipes?
- Creamy Chicken and Tomato Pasta
- Chicken Garlic Parmesan Pasta
- Cheesy Spinach and Artichoke Pasta
- High Protein Pasta with Sausage and Broccoli
See you in the kitchen!
PS. I love seeing my recipes in action! If you decide to make this marry me chicken pasta, don't forget to snap a photo and tag me on Instagram- @nourishedbynic or leave a comment and rating below letting me know how you liked it!
📖 Recipe
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One Pan Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil divided
- 1 lb lean ground chicken
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cloves garlic pressed
- ½ yellow onion diced (about 1 cup)
- ½ cup chopped sundried tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 3 large handfuls fresh spinach
- 2.5 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 10 oz small pasta small pasta shells (about 1 + ¼ cup dry pasta)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated
- ½ cup 5% plain Greek yogurt see notes
- Fresh basil for topping
Instructions
- In a large pan over medium-high heat add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once hot, add the ground chicken. Use a spatula to gently break up the meat, stirring frequently until fully cooked and no longer pink in colour. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Once the meat is cooked, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil followed by the garlic, onion, sundried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and paprika. Cook, stirring frequently until garlic is fragrant and onions appear translucent in colour. Add the spinach in, stirring until wilted.
- To the same pan, pour in chicken broth and add the dry pasta. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and allow the pasta to cook (this should take about 15 - 20 minutes depending on the size and type of your pasta). I recommend stirring periodically to ensure the bottom of the pan does not burn.
- Remove from the heat, stir in Parmesan cheese and Greek yogurt. Serve topped with fresh basil
Notes
*I have included an estimation of the nutrition information for this recipe below. However, always remember a recipe is so much more than just nutritional content and these numbers do not need to dictate your food choices. Please don't forget that both your body and soul need nourishment! The owner of this website is not liable for this estimation.
Nutrition
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