Table of Contents
why make this recipe
Marry Me Chicken gives you a creamy, bright sauce with tender chicken. It cooks fast, uses simple pantry items, and feels a bit fancy for a weeknight meal.
introduction
Marry Me Chicken is a creamy chicken dish with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan that people love for good reason. For a one-pan twist with orzo, try the Marry Me Chicken orzo one-pan recipe which keeps cleanup easy.
how to make Marry Me Chicken
- Season chicken and brown it in hot oil to build flavor.
- Sauté garlic briefly so it turns fragrant but not bitter.
- Add cream, chicken stock, bouillon, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and seasonings. Whisk to a smooth sauce.
- Return the chicken to the pan and simmer until the sauce thickens and the chicken cooks through.
- Finish with fresh basil and more Parmesan, then serve over pasta or mashed potatoes.
Ingredients :
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon chicken flavor Better Than Bouillon or 1 chicken bouillon cube
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 (7-ounce) jar sun-dried tomatoes, drained and roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
- Cooked pasta or mashed potatoes for serving (optional)
Directions :
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season with 1 teaspoon of salt.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium and add garlic. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Stir in heavy cream, chicken stock, bouillon, 1/4 cup of Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, black pepper, red pepper flakes (if using), and remaining salt. Whisk until smooth.
- Return chicken to skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until the sauce thickens and chicken reaches 165°F, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat, top with basil and remaining Parmesan. Serve over pasta or mashed potatoes, if desired.
how to serve Marry Me Chicken
Serve the chicken over cooked pasta, orzo, rice, or mashed potatoes to catch the sauce. Garnish with extra basil and Parmesan. Add a simple green salad or steamed vegetables on the side.
how to store Marry Me Chicken
Cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of stock or cream if the sauce has thickened. Freeze for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container; thaw in the fridge before reheating.
tips to make Marry Me Chicken
- Pound thicker breasts to even thickness so they cook evenly.
- Don’t skip browning the chicken; it adds flavor.
- Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for richer taste, or rehydrate dry ones in hot water.
- Taste the sauce before finishing and adjust salt or pepper.
- Let the chicken rest a few minutes after cooking for juicier meat.
variation (if any)
- Add a handful of baby spinach to the sauce until wilted for extra greens.
- Stir in mushrooms when sautéing garlic for an earthy twist.
- Make it spicy by adding more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne.
- Swap heavy cream for half-and-half plus a tablespoon of flour to slightly lighten the sauce.
FAQs
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
A: Yes. Use boneless thighs and adjust the cooking time until they reach 165°F.
Q: Can I make the sauce without heavy cream?
A: You can use half-and-half or a mix of milk and a small amount of flour or cornstarch to thicken, but the sauce will be less rich.
Q: How do I prevent the sauce from splitting?
A: Keep heat moderate and avoid boiling the cream. Finish the sauce gently and remove from high heat before adding cheese if the pan is very hot.
Q: Can I make this ahead?
A: You can cook the chicken and sauce, cool, and refrigerate. Reheat gently and add a splash of stock to loosen the sauce if needed.
Marry Me Chicken
Ingredients
Method
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season with 1 teaspoon of salt.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium and add garlic. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Stir in heavy cream, chicken stock, bouillon, 1/4 cup Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, black pepper, red pepper flakes (if using), and remaining salt. Whisk until smooth.
- Return chicken to skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until the sauce thickens and chicken reaches 165°F, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat, top with basil and remaining Parmesan. Serve over pasta or mashed potatoes, if desired.
