Marry Me Chicken is a creamy, flavorful dish combining tender chicken breasts, sundried tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and a rich garlic cream sauce. Perfect for romantic dinners or comforting family meals, it’s simple enough to prepare on a weeknight but elegant enough for special occasions.
Homemade recipes like Marry Me Chicken allow you to customize every element, from the seasoning on the chicken to the richness of the sauce. You can control the ingredients to fit your taste or dietary needs while skipping unnecessary additives often found in store-bought sauces or restaurant meals.
There are many benefits to making this dish yourself:
- Taste and Quality: Freshly prepared ingredients result in bold, authentic flavors.
- Economical Choice: Cooking at home is often cheaper than dining out, especially when you can use pantry staples like garlic, chicken broth, and parmesan.
- Creativity: This dish is versatile—pair it with pasta, mashed potatoes, or even roasted vegetables for a customized meal.
- Health: You control the portion size and can adjust the ingredients to suit your preferences, such as using light cream or dairy-free substitutes.
Beyond the practical benefits, cooking at home can be a deeply satisfying and therapeutic experience. Preparing this dish allows you to engage your senses—smelling the garlic as it sautés, watching the sauce thicken, and savoring the moment when the chicken becomes perfectly tender.
Marry Me Chicken also makes an excellent dish to share with loved ones. Whether it’s for date night, a casual dinner with friends, or a holiday meal, this recipe creates an opportunity to connect and enjoy a comforting, homemade experience.
Quick Tip: Take a few minutes to read through the recipe before you begin. Gather and prepare all your ingredients ahead of time to make the cooking process smooth and enjoyable.
Marry Me Chicken
Description
This one-pan dish is known for its irresistible flavor. It’s creamy, savory, and so delicious it might just get you a marriage proposal! Great with pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Steps to Make Marry Me Chicken
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Prepare the Chicken
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Pound each chicken breast to an even thickness (about 1 inch thick) using a meat mallet or rolling pin. This ensures even cooking. Generously season both sides of the chicken with salt and freshly ground black pepper. -
Sear the Chicken
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until the oil is shimmering. Carefully place the chicken breasts in the skillet, ensuring they’re not overcrowded. Sear the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. Cover with foil to keep warm. -
Deglaze the Pan
Lower the heat to medium-low and add minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute, stirring frequently to avoid burning. Pour in 1 cup of chicken broth to deglaze the pan. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet. Allow the broth to simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly. -
Prepare the Cream Sauce
Reduce the heat to low and stir in 1 cup of heavy cream, mixing it with the chicken broth. Slowly add 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese, stirring constantly to help it melt into the sauce. Add 1/2 cup of sliced sundried tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional). Stir well to combine. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly. -
Combine Chicken and Sauce
Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Spoon the sauce over each piece of chicken to ensure even coating. Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. -
Adjust Seasoning
Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning to your liking. Add more salt, black pepper, or a pinch of red pepper flakes if needed. -
Garnish and Serve
Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle the dish with 1/4 cup of freshly chopped basil. Serve the chicken hot with the sauce spooned over it. Pair with pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
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Optional: Thicken Sauce
If a thicker sauce is preferred, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water to create a slurry. Stir the slurry into the sauce in the last few minutes of cooking, allowing it to thicken further. -
Rest and Enjoy
Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the chicken retain its juices and enhances the flavor.
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 400kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 25g39%
- Saturated Fat 12g60%
- Cholesterol 120mg40%
- Sodium 600mg25%
- Potassium 500mg15%
- Total Carbohydrate 8g3%
- Dietary Fiber 1g4%
- Sugars 3g
- Protein 30g60%
- Vitamin A 1000 IU
- Vitamin C 6 mg
- Calcium 150 mg
- Iron 1.5 mg
- Vitamin D 1.5 IU
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
This dish pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce. For a lower-fat option, you can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but the sauce may be less rich.
