Prepare your taste buds for your new favorite recipe for a busy midweek evening. Marry Me Chicken comprises succulent chicken breasts cooked in a buttery, garlic and sundried tomato sauce... simply sensational!
An easy chicken dinner with so much flavor, it can be served with so many different sides. You're going to love it!
Why you'll love this marry me chicken recipe
- A quick and easy recipe, marry me chicken is a one-pan dinner that can be prepared in less than 30 minutes.
- The sauce for Marry Me Chicken simmers in the same skillet used to cook the chicken, enhancing the flavor.
- The dish is creamy, savory and indulgent, making it suitable for special occasions or date nights.
- The Parmesan cheese adds such a depth of flavor to the garlic and tomato sauce.
- Seared chicken cooked through in a sublime sauce produces incredible results.
Equipment needed
- Food thermometer – an instant read thermometer helps to get the perfect internal temperature, ensuring perfectly cooked chicken.
- Skillet – invest in a quality skillet to cook this marry me chicken recipe.
How to make marry me chicken
You need chicken breasts, seasoned flour, oil and butter.
Slice each chicken breast lengthwise in half, to create cutlets. Dust in seasoned flour.
Fry until browned on all sides. Remove from the pan.
Fry the garlic in the same pan.
Add the broth, tomatoes, cream, cheese systematically, until a creamy sauce forms. Place the chicken back in the pan and drown in the sauce. Make sure the chicken is cooked through. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Recipe tips
- For optimal texture, chicken breasts are often sliced into thin cutlets before cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to make sure you end up with tender chicken that's perfectly cooked.
- If your chicken breasts are a little uneven, use a meat mallet to flatten slightly until even. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly.
- Use full fat cream. Don't use half and half, as your sauce will be too thin.
Serving suggestions for marry me chicken
Sides
- Marry Me Chicken can be served over pasta or mashed potatoes.
- Serve marry me chicken with crusty bread to mop up the juices.
Wine pairing
Ideally, we want something that can complement the rich and creamy sauce that is the hallmark of this marry me chicken recipe. So, I would suggest something like a French Chardonnay, a South African Chenin Blanc or a crisp Italian white like Pinot Grigio.
Popular variations
- Marry Me Chicken can be made in a slow cooker.
- You can use chicken bouillon for the stock.
Substitutions
- If you can't find oregano or thyme separately, you can use Italian seasoning instead.
- Use coconut milk in place of heavy cream if you prefer. However, the sauce might be thinner than you prefer, so it might need to be thickened.
Is marry me chicken the same as Tuscan chicken?
While both dishes have similarities, there are a few differences. Both marry me chicken and Tuscan chicken feature chicken breasts cooked in a rich, herby sauce. However, Tuscan chicken usually features spinach and basil, while marry me chicken tends to be creamier with the addition of just oregano and thyme as herbs.
What flavour is marry me chicken?
The flavor of marry me chicken is characterized by a rich, creamy sauce, featuring garlic, sun dried tomatoes and fragrant herbs. Red pepper flakes bring a touch of heat, while the Parmesan cheese adds to the richness of the dish.
What is the best cut of chicken for marry me chicken?
For this recipe, I have chosen chicken breasts. Searing the chicken breasts and cooking them slowly in the sauce leads to tender, succulent meat. You could also use skinless chicken thighs.
What makes marry me chicken so good?
The idea behind "Marry Me Chicken" is that it is so delicious that it could inspire a marriage proposal!
The name 'Marry Me Chicken' originated from a humorous comment made by food editors who found the dish so good they would marry it.
Make it for the one you love... you never know... it just might work!
What can I substitute for cream in marry me chicken?
Part of the appeal of this indulgent dish is the wonderful creaminess of the sauce. For this, double cream is required. That said, if you prefer a lighter sauce, there are a few suitable alternatives.
Yogurt and cream cheese are both good options. Use half-fat cream cheese if you really want a lighter sauce. You could also mix the two together for a half-and-half solution.
If you want to go dairy free, I recommend using coconut milk in place of cream.
Is marry me chicken better with potatoes or pasta?
For me, this recipe is better with a serving of creamy mashed potatoes. However, the flavours in this recipe are very Italian, meaning it also works wonderfully well with pasta.
What herbs are used in marry me chicken?
Do you put heavy cream in marry me chicken?
Yes. To achieve that indulgent creamy sauce, heavy cream is required. It's not essential, but I recommend using it for best results.
How do you store marry me chicken?
Leftovers of Marry Me Chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Marry Me Chicken is not recommended for freezing due to the creamy sauce.
How do you reheat marry me chicken?
Marry Me Chicken can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop. In the microwave, place leftovers on a microwaveable plate and cover, then heat at one minute intervals on half power until heated through. Heat for 5-10 minutes on medium heat on the stove top.
More chicken recipes
Looking for more swoonworthy chicken recipes? Feast your eyes on these:
- Marry me chicken soup – a melt-in-the-mouth winter comfort food classic, this marry me chicken soup is intensely rich and very easy to whip up. This is the kind of dish that the whole family will love.
- Chicken tikka pizza – a fabulous flatbread pizza that blends the best of Indian and Italian cuisines, with Italian tomato, cheese and herbs with the Indian flavors of a traditional chicken tikka.
- Chicken burrito casserole – a hearty, delicious one dish delight that perfectly showcases the magic of Mexican cuisine, reinvented in a way that the whole family will fall in love with.
- Air fryer chicken tikka – A modern twist on a traditional Indian classic, this air fryer chicken tikka recipe is an easy and convenient way to get that incredible flavor at home without using a traditional tandoor.
- Bang bang chicken – I love this recipe! Wonderfully crispy chicken bites served up with a zingy mayo and sweet chilli sauce, it's a terrifically tasty meal that can be whipped up in no time.
📖 Recipe
Marry Me Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Creamy Marry Me Chicken with juicy, tender chicken simmered in a rich parmesan sauce. Cozy, comforting and irresistibly rich, perfect for an easy dinner.
Ingredients
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin cutlets
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup oil-packed sundried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken breasts evenly with kosher salt and black pepper. Lightly coat each piece in flour, shaking off any excess.
- Heat the olive oil and butter together in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and foamy, add the chicken in a single layer. Cook for 4–5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Reduce to a medium low heat. Add the garlic to the same skillet and cook for about 30–60 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
- Add the Parmesan cheese, oregano, thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce begins to thicken.
- Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, then return the chicken to the skillet. Spoon the cream sauce over the chicken and let everything simmer together for 3–5 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly, reaching the desired consistency, with the chicken heated through.
- Remove from the heat and sprinkle with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
Using a full cup of sun-dried tomatoes gives the sauce a bold, savory punch. If the sauce becomes too thick, loosen it with a splash of chicken broth or cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 609
- Sugar: 1.4 g
- Sodium: 564.3 mg
- Fat: 29.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 13.5 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 69.8 g
- Cholesterol: 242.1 mg
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