Creamy Marry Me Chicken Recipe

Fall-In-Love Marry Me Chicken Recipe: Irresistibly Tender Joy

Tender chicken breasts bathed in a creamy sun-dried tomato marinade that would make roasted garlic chicken thighs jealous.

This marry me chicken recipe delivers a romantic culinary experience that sparks instant connection.

Every bite promises rich, luxurious flavors that dance between tangy and smooth.

Parmesan cheese and herbs create a magnificent depth that turns an ordinary dinner into something spectacular.

Fresh ingredients blend seamlessly to craft a dish promising pure deliciousness.

Restaurants charge top dollar for meals like this, but you can recreate restaurant-quality magic right in your kitchen.

Serve this irresistible chicken and watch dinner guests fall head over heels.

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Calories: 570 kcal
  • Servings: 5

Marry Me Chicken Ingredients: What You’ll Need

Marry Me Chicken Ingredients: What You’ll Need
For Protein Base:
  • Chicken Breasts: Lean, tender centerpiece that absorbs flavors beautifully; choose fresh, plump cuts without discoloration or unusual odors.
  • Kosher Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning agents that enhance chicken’s natural taste and create delicious flavor foundation.
For Flavor Builders:
  • Garlic, Thyme Leaves, Red Pepper Flakes: Aromatic trio that brings zesty warmth, herbal depth, and subtle heat to the dish.
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Concentrated, tangy ingredient that adds rich Mediterranean character and bright acidic notes.
  • Chicken Broth: Liquid enhancer that helps create silky sauce and intensifies overall savory profile.
For Creamy Finishing:
  • Heavy Cream, Parmesan Cheese: Luxurious combination that transforms sauce into velvety, indulgent coating with nutty, complex undertones.
  • Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: High-quality fat for sautéing that introduces smooth, fruity base and helps prevent sticking.
  • Fresh Basil: Vibrant garnish offering fresh, peppery finish and beautiful green contrast.

Kitchen Tool for a Romantic Meal

Kitchen Tool for a Romantic Meal
  • Large skillet: Essential for cooking chicken and creating the creamy sauce.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring and scraping browned bits from the pan.
  • Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure seasonings and olive oil.
  • Cutting board: Useful for preparing garlic and herbs.
  • Sharp knife: Needed for chopping garlic and basil.
  • Tongs: Great for handling and turning chicken while cooking.

How to Cook Chicken That Wins Hearts

Cooking Guide for Marry Me Chicken Step by Step
  • Chicken Preparation

Select tender chicken breasts and get ready to transform them into a mouthwatering meal that will make your loved ones swoon.

  • Sizzling Golden Goodness

Create a gorgeous golden crust on the chicken by heating oil and cooking each piece until perfectly bronzed and cooked through.

  • Flavor Explosion

Release the magic of garlic, fragrant herbs, and a subtle kick of spice by sautéing them in the pan’s delicious remnants.

  • Sauce Symphony

Pour in broth and gently coax the hidden flavor bits from the pan’s bottom, creating a rich liquid base that promises deliciousness.

  • Creamy Transformation

Introduce luscious cream, vibrant sun-dried tomatoes, and nutty Parmesan cheese, stirring until the sauce becomes luxuriously thick and velvety.

  • Reunion of Flavors

Nestle the crispy chicken back into the dreamy sauce, allowing each piece to become completely embraced by the incredible mixture.

  • Final Touch

Sprinkle fresh green herbs over the dish and serve alongside your favorite carbohydrate companion for a meal that screams love and comfort.

Flavor Ideas for a Better Marry Me Chicken Dish
  • Transform the creamy tomato base by substituting sun-dried tomatoes for fresh ones, adding a deeper, more concentrated flavor profile.
  • Replace chicken breasts with chicken thighs for a richer, more tender meat that absorbs the sauce beautifully and stays incredibly juicy.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes from a pinch to a generous sprinkle depending on your heat tolerance, creating a personalized kick that matches your preference.
  • Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan to make this recipe friendly for lactose-intolerant or vegan guests without sacrificing rich, creamy texture.
  • Prepare the entire dish up to the final simmering stage and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, allowing flavors to meld and develop an even more complex taste when reheated just before serving.

How to Plate for Date Night or Family Dinner

How to Serve Marry Me Chicken at the Table
  • Pasta Paradise: Toss the chicken and its creamy sauce over fettuccine or linguine for a classic Italian-inspired meal that hugs your taste buds with rich, comforting flavors.
  • Bread Buddy: Serve alongside crusty garlic bread or a warm baguette to soak up every delicious drop of the luscious, sun-dried tomato cream sauce.
  • Garden Fresh Sidekick: Pair with a crisp mixed green salad topped with a light vinaigrette to balance the dish’s richness and add a refreshing contrast to the hearty chicken.
  • Grain Bowl Delight: Spoon the saucy chicken over fluffy quinoa or fragrant basmati rice for a protein-packed and satisfying dinner that brings layers of texture and taste.

How to Store Love on a Plate for Later

How to Keep Marry Me Chicken for Later Meals
  • Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover Marry Me Chicken in an airtight container within two hours of cooking to maintain food safety and optimal taste.
  • Smart Reheating Technique: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent dryness and restore sauce consistency.
  • Freezer-Friendly Approach: Carefully pack meal in freezer-safe containers, separating sauce and chicken to prevent soggy texture. Freeze up to three months for future quick dinners.
  • Strategic Meal Prep Hack: Prepare extra chicken and sauce during initial cooking, then portion into lunch-sized containers for convenient grab-and-go meals throughout the week.
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Creamy Marry Me Chicken Recipe

Creamy Marry Me Chicken Recipe


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4.8 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Creamy marry me chicken showcases tender chicken breasts in a luxurious sun-dried tomato sauce that promises romantic Italian-inspired flavors. Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs elevate this simple yet irresistible dish you’ll want to share with someone special.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 chicken breasts (8 oz or 226 g), boneless, skinless
  • 3 tbsps (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) chicken broth, low-sodium
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream
  • ¼ cup (25 g) Parmesan, finely grated
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) thyme leaves, fresh
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) red pepper flakes, crushed
  • kosher salt, to taste
  • black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
  • basil, fresh, torn (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Chicken Preparation: Pat chicken breasts dry and season thoroughly with salt and black pepper on both surfaces.
  2. Searing: Heat olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until hot, then sear chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden-brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  3. Aromatic Base: Reduce heat and sauté garlic, thyme, and red pepper flakes for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, releasing their intense flavors.
  4. Sauce Development: Deglaze skillet with chicken broth, scraping browned bits, then incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, stirring until sauce smooths and thickens.
  5. Final Assembly: Return chicken to skillet, nestling pieces into creamy sauce, simmering 2-3 minutes to reheat and infuse flavors.
  6. Serving: Garnish with fresh basil, plate over pasta, rice, or crusty bread, generously spooning additional sauce around the chicken.

Notes

  • Sear for Flavor Perfection: Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning to achieve a gorgeous golden-brown crust that locks in maximum flavor and creates restaurant-quality texture.
  • Temperature is Critical: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches exact 165°F internal temperature, preventing overcooking while ensuring food safety.
  • Sauce Consistency Matters: Stir sauce continuously and watch for slight thickening, which signals perfect creamy texture without breaking or separating ingredients.
  • Pan Selection Impacts Taste: Cast-iron skillet recommended for superior heat distribution and developing deeper, richer caramelized flavors during cooking process.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking, Sautéing, Simmering
  • Cuisine: American-Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 570
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 450 mg
  • Fat: 40 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 48 g
  • Cholesterol: 150 mg

Michael Reynolds

Michael Reynolds

Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Modern American and European Cuisines​, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and global cuisines.​

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

  • Program: Diploma in Pastry Arts
  • Focus: Specialized education in baking and pastry, emphasizing artisanal bread, confections, and plated desserts.​

Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.

Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.

At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.

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