Air Fryer Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Intro 

“Marry Me Chicken” got its name because it’s so delicious, people jokingly say it could inspire a marriage proposal! It’s a creamy, savory dish that combines juicy chicken with a sun-dried tomato and Parmesan cream sauce. This version is paired with pasta and made mostly in the air fryer with minimal stovetop work — convenient, fast, and irresistible.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Air Fry Time (Chicken): 14–16 minutes

Sauce Simmer & Combine: 10 minutes

Ingredients (2–3 servings)

For the Chicken:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 tbsp olive oil

½ tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp Italian seasoning

½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)

For the Sauce:

1 tbsp butter

3 garlic cloves, minced

½ cup chicken broth

¾ cup heavy cream

⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese

¼ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (in oil, drained)

½ tsp chili flakes (optional)

Salt & pepper to taste

Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)

For the Pasta:

6 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your choice)

Instructions

Prep & Air Fry the Chicken (14–16 min)

Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes.

Season chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning.

Place chicken in the air fryer basket. Cook for 14–16 minutes, flipping halfway through. Internal temp should reach 165°F (74°C).

Once cooked, let rest 5 minutes, then slice.

Boil the Pasta (While Chicken Cooks)

Boil salted water in a pot.

Cook pasta according to package instructions (usually 8–10 minutes), then drain and set aside.

Make the Creamy Sauce (10 min)

In a skillet or saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.

Add garlic; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer.

Add heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, chili flakes (if using), and Parmesan cheese.

Simmer for 4–5 minutes, stirring until thickened slightly. Season with salt and pepper.

Stir in sliced chicken and cooked pasta. Toss to coat everything in the sauce.

Optional: Air Fry Final Bake (2–3 min)

To crisp the top:

Transfer combined pasta and chicken to an oven-safe dish.

Sprinkle a bit of extra Parmesan.

Air fry at 375°F for 2–3 minutes until slightly golden on top.

Garnish & Serve

Top with chopped fresh basil or parsley and a little more Parmesan. Serve immediately.

Tips:

Use rotini or rigatoni for more sauce cling.

Swap cream for half & half to lighten it.

Add spinach in the last 2 minutes of simmering for extra greens.