Irresistible Marry Me Chicken Recipe You’ll Want to Try Tonight!

marry me chicken recipe cravings usually hit me at the most random times, like right after a long workday when I want something creamy, cozy, and impressive with minimal effort. If that sounds like you, you’re in the right kitchen. This dish is simple enough for a weeknight, yet romantic enough for a stay-at-home date night. The sauce is rich, the chicken is tender, and the clean plates speak for themselves. I’ve made variations of this for years, and this spin is the keeper I reach for again and again.

What is Marry Me Chicken?

It’s a creamy skillet chicken with a velvety sauce that hugs every bite. The magic combo is pan-seared chicken simmered in a sauce of garlic, sun dried tomatoes, chicken broth, and heavy cream, finished with Parmesan and a pop of fresh basil. The flavor is savory, slightly tangy from the tomatoes, and totally comforting. The name comes from how swoon-worthy it tastes, like a meal you’d serve someone special to win their heart. But honestly, I make it just as often for me, myself, and I.

Think of it as the slightly sassier cousin to Alfredo. It’s cream-based, but not heavy in a cloying way, and it gets balance from garlic heat and tomato sweetness. Everything cooks in one pan, which keeps the chicken juicy and the sauce deeply flavorful. If you love creamy chicken dishes, you might also enjoy this easy cousin on a cozy night: Quick Easy Homemade Butter Chicken. Different flavor profile, same comfort vibes.

“I made this for our anniversary dinner and my husband raved about it for days. Zero leftovers, big smiles, and minimal dishes. Absolute winner.”

How To Make Marry Me Chicken

Ingredients

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts or 6 chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat
• 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, sliced
• 3/4 cup chicken broth
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan
• 1 tablespoon butter for extra silkiness
• Pinch of red pepper flakes for gentle heat
• Fresh basil or parsley to finish

Step by step

• Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Dry chicken browns better, and browning equals flavor.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken for 4 to 6 minutes per side until golden. Remove to a plate. It doesn’t need to be fully cooked yet.
• In the same pan, add butter, then the garlic. Cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in sun dried tomatoes.
• Pour in the chicken broth. Scrape up the flavorful browned bits. Simmer 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
• Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, then add Parmesan and red pepper flakes. Stir until smooth.
• Return the chicken and any juices to the pan. Simmer 5 to 8 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thick enough to coat a spoon.
• Turn off the heat and shower with fresh basil. Taste and adjust salt or pepper if you like.

Optional add-ins

If I have them, I toss in a handful of spinach at the end so it wilts into the sauce. Mushrooms are great too. Want extra tang? A splash of white wine with the broth is lovely.

If you’re a garlic-Parmesan super fan and love set-it-and-forget-it dinners, I also adore this slow cooker comfort food for weeknights: Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta. Same rich flavors, zero stove babysitting.

What To Serve With Marry Me Chicken

Pairings that make the sauce shine

• Pasta: Twirl that glossy sauce around fettuccine or spaghetti. Penne works too.
• Rice: Fluffy jasmine or basmati soaks up every drop. If you’re in a garlicky mood, bookmark this tasty side for next time: Chicken with Garlic Parmesan Rice.
• Bread: Warm crusty slices or homemade focaccia to swipe the pan clean. Try this weekend project: Homemade Italian Focaccia Bread.
• Vegetables: Roasted broccoli, asparagus, or green beans. Simple, bright, and quick.
• Something sweet-corny: The sweetness plays so nicely with the savory sauce. This easy side is a family fave: Creamed Corn.

For a casual appetizer that pairs well with creamy mains, crispy bites are always fun. If you want a crunchy starter on the lighter side, serve some Easy Gluten Free Chicken Taquitos while the sauce simmers.

Top Tips

Season generously. Salt brings out the best in cream sauces. Taste before serving and adjust as needed.

Use room temperature chicken if you can. It cooks more evenly and sears better.

Slice thick chicken breasts horizontally for quicker cooking. Thin, even pieces stay juicier than big, chunky ones.

Go low and slow with the cream. Keep the heat at a gentle simmer so the sauce stays smooth.

Grate your Parmesan fresh. Pre-grated can be coated with anti-caking agents that make sauces grainy. Freshly grated melts into silk.

Save a splash of chicken broth. If the sauce gets too thick, loosen it with a tablespoon or two of broth or cream.

Sauce Fixes

If it’s too thin, let it bubble gently for a couple more minutes, stirring so it doesn’t stick. If it’s too thick, whisk in a bit more broth or cream. Grainy sauce? Lower the heat and whisk in a teaspoon of butter to smooth it out. For a crowd, serve with a fun starter like this party favorite while you finish the main: Best Buffalo Chicken Dip.

Storing Tips

Cool leftovers, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. The sauce may thicken as it chills, which is normal. It relaxes again when warmed. For freezing, I prefer using cooked chicken only and making a fresh batch of sauce later, since cream sauces can sometimes separate after freezing. That said, I’ve frozen it in a pinch, and a gentle reheat with a splash of cream usually fixes texture.

Reheat Methods

Stovetop: Add a splash of broth or cream to the pan and warm on low, stirring often.

Microwave: Heat in short bursts, stirring between each, and loosen with a spoonful of liquid if needed.

Oven: Place in a small baking dish, cover loosely with foil, and bake at 325 F until hot.

Common Questions

Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes. Thighs are juicy and forgiving, and they stay tender even if you reheat later.

What can I use instead of heavy cream?
Half and half works, though the sauce will be a bit thinner. You can add a touch more Parmesan to thicken.

Do I need to soak the sun dried tomatoes?
If they’re very dry, a quick soak in hot water for 5 minutes helps. If they’re packed in oil, just pat them and slice.

How do I make it dairy free?
Use a thick, unsweetened almond or cashew cream and a dairy free Parmesan alternative. The flavor will shift slightly but still be delicious.

Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Sear chicken and make the sauce up to a day ahead. Reheat gently and finish with the herbs right before serving.

Ready To Cook It Tonight

Here’s your sign to make the marry me chicken recipe tonight. It’s simple, fast, and wildly satisfying, with a sauce that turns pasta, rice, or bread into a clean-plate situation every time. If you want to see another take for reference, this helpful guide from Marry Me Chicken is a great companion while you cook. Make it once, and you’ll see why I keep the ingredients on hand for last-minute dinners.

Now grab a skillet, pour a little love into that creamy sauce, and dig in. And if you fall for it like I did, come back and tell me how your marry me chicken recipe turned out.

One last thing. If you’re planning ahead for the week, this marry me chicken recipe reheats like a dream and makes leftovers you’ll actually want to eat. Happy cooking.

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