Quick Dreamy Marry Me Chicken Recipe

The Irresistible Marry Me Chicken Recipe That Sparks Love

Creamy marry me chicken has become a viral sensation that captivates dinner tables everywhere.

Culinary magic happens when simple ingredients combine in unexpected ways.

Juicy chicken breasts nestle perfectly in a luxurious sauce that whispers romantic promises.

Pantry staples dance together, creating a dish so irresistible it might just spark a proposal.

Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and heavy cream weave a spell of comfort and indulgence.

Weeknight cooking transforms into a delightful experience that feels like a restaurant-quality treat.

Prepare to fall head over heels with this delectable recipe that promises to steal hearts and satisfy hunger.

Marry Me Chicken: What Sets It Apart

  • Quick Culinary Magic: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish with minimal cooking skills required.
  • Family Crowd-Pleaser: Creamy, flavorful chicken that appeals to both kids and adults, making mealtime a delightful experience for everyone.
  • Stress-Free Cooking: One-skillet wonder that minimizes kitchen cleanup and reduces cooking complexity, perfect for busy home cooks seeking delicious results.
  • Versatile Meal Solution: Adaptable recipe that works perfectly for weeknight dinners, date nights, or impressing unexpected guests with minimal preparation effort.

Ingredients Behind Marry Me Chicken

Main Protein:
  • Chicken Breasts: Lean and tender meat that serves as the primary protein for this creamy, flavorful dish.
Fats and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Olive Oil, Butter: Provide rich flavor and help create a golden-brown sear on the chicken.
  • Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious creaminess and helps thicken the sauce.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Contributes a sharp, salty flavor and helps create a smooth, rich sauce.
Aromatics and Seasonings:
  • Garlic: Adds a fragrant, intense flavor base to the sauce.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the chicken and sauce.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Provides a subtle heat and spicy kick to the dish.
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Offer a tangy, concentrated tomato flavor with a chewy texture.
  • Fresh Basil: Brings a bright, herbaceous garnish that adds freshness to the final dish.
Liquid Components:
  • Chicken Broth: Adds depth of flavor and helps create a balanced sauce consistency.

How to Prepare Marry Me Chicken

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Seasoning

Generously coat chicken breasts with salt and black pepper, ensuring even coverage for maximum flavor development.

Step 2: Sizzle Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat a combination of olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

Carefully place chicken breasts into the hot pan, allowing them to develop a beautiful golden-brown crust. Cook each side for 4-5 minutes until a gorgeous exterior forms.

Transfer chicken to a separate plate and set aside.

Step 3: Create Aromatic Garlic Base

In the same skillet with remaining oil and butter, add minced garlic.

Sauté until the garlic becomes wonderfully fragrant and releases its delightful aroma.

Step 4: Craft Luxurious Cream Sauce

Combine ingredients to create a velvety sauce:
  • Heavy cream
  • Chicken broth
  • Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Red pepper flakes

Whisk ingredients together until the sauce becomes smooth and harmonious.

Step 5: Enhance Sauce with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Introduce sun-dried tomatoes into the sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer and reduce, thickening gradually and developing deep, rich flavors.

Step 6: Reunite Chicken with Sauce

Return chicken breasts to the skillet. Gently spoon the creamy sauce over the chicken, ensuring complete coverage.

Simmer until chicken reaches perfect doneness and sauce reaches ideal consistency.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle fresh basil leaves over the dish.

Plate immediately while piping hot, ready to delight eager diners with its irresistible aroma and luxurious texture.

Tips to Bring Out Marry Me Chicken’s Best

  • Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure a crispy, golden-brown exterior when searing.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check chicken's internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
  • Choose sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for richer, more intense flavor in the sauce.
  • Swap heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut cream for lighter or dairy-free options.
  • Let chicken rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking to retain moisture and ensure juicy meat.

Flavor Variations to Enjoy with Marry Me Chicken

  • Dairy-Free Delight: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a creamy, lactose-free version.
  • Mediterranean Herb Remix: Swap sun-dried tomatoes with roasted red peppers and add oregano and thyme for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
  • Vegetarian Transformation: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or portobello mushrooms, marinating first to enhance flavor absorption and texture.
  • Low-Carb Keto Option: Use chicken thighs instead of breasts, increase butter content, and serve with cauliflower rice to maintain ketogenic macronutrient ratios.

Accompaniments That Pair Well with Marry Me Chicken

  • Romantic Dinner Date Delight: Create a candlelit atmosphere with soft music, plating the creamy chicken on elegant white plates with a sprig of fresh basil.
  • Cozy Family Feast: Serve over buttery angel hair pasta, sprinkle extra Parmesan, and pair with a crisp green salad for a comforting family meal.
  • Meal Prep Champion: Store individual portions in airtight containers with sauce, reheat at work for a luxurious lunch that'll make colleagues jealous.
  • Italian-Inspired Appetizer Twist: Slice chicken, arrange on crostini, top with extra sun-dried tomatoes for an impressive party starter that'll wow guests.

Storage Tips for Marry Me Chicken

  • Store leftover Marry Me Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Keep the chicken and sauce together to maintain moisture and flavor.
  • Separate the fresh basil garnish and store it in a small sealed container to prevent wilting.
  • Avoid leaving the dish at room temperature for more than 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth.

FAQs

  • What makes the sauce so creamy?

The combination of heavy cream, chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese creates a rich, velvety sauce that coats the chicken perfectly.

  • Can I use dried basil instead of fresh?

Fresh basil provides a brighter flavor, but you can substitute dried basil if needed. Just use about 1/3 of the amount of fresh basil called for in the recipe.

  • Is this dish spicy?

The red pepper flakes add a mild heat, but you can reduce or omit them if you prefer a milder flavor.

  • What type of chicken works best for this recipe?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal, but you can also use chicken thighs for a more tender result.

Print
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Quick Dreamy Marry Me Chicken Recipe

Quick Dreamy Marry Me Chicken Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 35 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Marry Me Chicken brings together tender chicken breasts coated in a luscious sun-dried tomato cream sauce that promises culinary romance. Italian-inspired ingredients create an irresistible meal sure to win hearts at your dinner table.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Cooking Fats and Seasonings:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 34 cloves garlic, minced

Creamy and Flavor Ingredients:

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • Fresh basil, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Generously coat chicken breasts with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor.
  2. Warm a blend of olive oil and butter in a spacious skillet over medium heat until butter melts and becomes slightly bubbly.
  3. Carefully place seasoned chicken into the hot skillet, allowing each side to develop a rich golden-brown crust, approximately 4-5 minutes per surface. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
  4. In the same skillet, sauté finely chopped garlic until aromatic and lightly golden.
  5. Pour heavy cream, chicken broth, and grated Parmesan cheese into the skillet, whisking continuously to create a smooth, creamy base. Sprinkle red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.
  6. Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes into the sauce, reducing heat and allowing the mixture to gently simmer and thicken, which takes about 3-4 minutes.
  7. Carefully return seared chicken to the skillet, coating each piece thoroughly with the luxurious sauce. Continue simmering until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is completely cooked through.
  8. Finish the dish by scattering freshly chopped basil leaves over the top and serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

  • Ensure chicken breasts are evenly thick for consistent cooking by pounding them to uniform thickness before seasoning.
  • Swap heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut cream for lighter versions that maintain creamy texture.
  • Choose sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil for richer, more intense flavor profile in the sauce.
  • For gluten-free adaptation, verify Parmesan cheese is certified and avoid any potential wheat contamination.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 482 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 620 mg
  • Fat: 35 g
  • Saturated Fat: 17 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 40 g
  • Cholesterol: 140 mg
Jack Monroe

Jack Monroe

Founder & Recipe Innovator

Expertise

Pacific Northwest cuisine, Single-serving recipe development, Sustainable sourcing and cooking, Modern comfort food​

Education

Brightwater
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Sustainable cooking, seasonal ingredients, and food systems education


Jack grew up with a fishing rod in one hand and a cast-iron skillet in the other. After graduating from Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food, he set out to prove that cooking for one could still taste like a feast.
Jack believes that food should feel real: fresh, fearless, and a little wild, just like the rivers he grew up around. For Jack, every single dish is a small adventure, and the best ones are the ones you can cook with heart, not hassle.

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