Marry Me Chicken
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Marry me chicken is juicy seasoned chickens smothered in a delicious cream sauce made with sun dried tomatoes and fresh basil.
This marry me chicken recipe is perfect for weeknight meals and fancy enough for date night! But be careful, it isn’t called marry me chicken for nothing! Make this with 7 layer dip, garlic noodles and biscoff truffles for a complete menu!
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Marry Me Chicken
Marry Me Chicken
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Why you’ll love this recipe!
📌 Quick and easy for a weeknight meal.
📌 The perfect savory flavors for a date night in.
📌 Versatile! Serve over noodles or with potatoes and veggies on the side.
Marry Me Chicken Ingredients
- Oil – Olive oil.
- Butter – Unsalted.
- Chicken – We used chicken breasts for this recipe but you could also use chicken thighs.
- Garlic – Fresh cloves, minced.
- Broth – Chicken broth.
- Cream – Heavy whipping cream.
- Seasonings – salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes.
- Tomatoes – Sun-dried tomatoes, chopped.
- Cheese – Grated parmesan.
- Basil – Fresh, for garnish.
How do you make Marry Me Chicken? (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, heat oil and butter in an oven safe skillet. Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper and place in the hot skillet until browned. Flip and cook the chicken again until browned. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
⭐ Next, add garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant. Add the chicken broth and deglaze, scraping up any bits that stuck to the bottom.
⭐ Then, add the heavy cream, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is simmering. Add salt and pepper to taste if desired.
⭐ Last, return the chicken to the skillet and transfer to the oven. Cook until chicken has reached a safe internal temperature. Spoon sauce over the chicken and top with chopped fresh basil.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Preparation
What cut of chicken for marry me chicken?
Really, any cut of chicken will work for this recipe. We used boneless skinless chicken breasts but this would also be great with chicken thighs. You could even try this one with pork chops!
How do I keep my chicken from drying out?
Using a digital meat thermometer is the key to making perfect chicken every time. You want to make sure you pull the chicken out as soon as it hits 165F. Allow the chicken to rest for at least 5 minutes after it’s done cooking before cutting into it.
What’s the best kind of parmesan cheese to use?
We recommend buying a block of parmesan cheese and grating it yourself for the best flavor. However, store-bought pre-grated parmesan will also work for this recipe.
Storage and leftovers
How long does marry me chicken last?
Store the chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Can I freeze marry me chicken?
This recipe doesn’t freeze particularly well because of the cream sauce. It may become grainy and not as creamy and smooth after freezing.
Tips and tricks
✅ Don’t skip the browning/searing step! This helps caramelize the sugars and seal in the juices for the perfect juicy chicken every time!
✅ Use a digital thermometer to check the chicken, making sure not to cook past 165 degrees F.
✅ Switch it up and use pork chops instead of chicken for another delicious meal!
✅ Try adding a little bit of sun-dried tomato oil to the pan when the garlic is cooking. This will add even more flavor to the dish!
✅ Don’t like the heat? You can leave out the crushed red pepper flakes if that isn’t your jam.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use dried basil instead of fresh basil?
While fresh basil provides the best flavor, you can substitute dried basil if fresh basil is not available. Use about one-third of the amount of dried basil compared to the fresh basil called for in the recipe.
Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, you can make a dairy-free version of Marry Me Chicken. Replace the butter with dairy-free margarine or coconut oil, and use a non-dairy heavy cream substitute made from coconut milk or almond milk.
You can also try using a non-dairy grated cheese alternative for the parmesan cheese. Please note, we have not tested these recipe substitutions, they are only suggestions.
Can I make Marry Me Chicken in advance?
While the dish is best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare some components in advance to save time. You can pre-mince the garlic, chop the sun-dried tomatoes, and measure out the seasonings. However, it’s recommended to cook the chicken and prepare the cream sauce just before serving for the best taste and texture.
What can I do if the cream sauce is too thin?
If the sauce is thinner than desired, you can thicken it by simmering it over low heat for a few more minutes until it reaches the desired consistency. Alternatively, you can mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water and add it to the sauce, stirring constantly until it thickens.
Can I make this recipe spicy?
If you prefer a spicier version of Marry Me Chicken, you can increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce. Adjust the level of spiciness to suit your taste preferences.
Can I use bone-in chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use bone-in chicken, such as chicken thighs with bone and skin. However, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure the chicken cooks through completely. Chicken is done when it reaches in internal temperature of 165F when measured with a meat thermometer.
What other herbs can I use in this recipe?
If you don’t have Italian seasoning on hand, you can use a combination of dried herbs such as oregano, thyme, rosemary, and basil to create a similar flavor profile.
Can I use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth?
Yes, you can substitute vegetable broth (or even beef broth) for chicken broth to make this dish suitable for vegetarians. It will alter the flavor slightly, but the creamy sauce and sun-dried tomatoes will still add a delicious touch to the vegetables.
What to eat with marry me chicken (serving suggestions)
Our family LOVES marry me chicken served over pasta but it is also amazing paired with potatoes or veggies. Try serving this recipe with one pot pasta, mashed potatoes, bacon wrapped asparagus, or air fryer carrots.
More delicious chicken recipes
- Bourbon chicken
- 40 clove garlic chicken
- Caprese chicken
- Hawaiian chicken
- Bang bang chicken
- See all our chicken recipes!
Other awesome pasta dishes!
- Lemon pasta
- Pasta puttanesca
- Peanut butter ramen
- Chicken alfredo
- Sesame noodles
- Meatball casserole
- See all our pasta recipes!
Tools we love
- Enameled cast iron – Perfect for these delicious one-pot meals. From stove top to oven!
- Garlic peeler – This works wonders to help with all those pesky garlic peels!
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How to Make Marry Me Chicken
Marry Me Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 pounds chicken (about 2 large chicken breasts/4 smaller chicken breasts or 4 - 6 chicken thighs with bone and skin)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup chicken broth or stock
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
- fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Heat oil and butter in an oven safe skillet. Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper. Place in hot skillet and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until browned.
- Flip and cook the other side for 4 to 5 minutes, until browned. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Add garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Add chicken broth to the skillet and deglaze, scraping up any bits that may have stuck to the bottom. Add the heavy cream, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan cheese.
- Stir, heating, until the parmesan cheese has melted and the sauce has come to a light simmer. If desired, add salt and pepper to taste.
- Return the chicken to the skillet and transfer to a 375 ℉ oven. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 ℉.
- Spoon sauce over the chicken and sprinkle with chopped fresh basil.
Notes
Nutrition
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My family and I loved this chicken! It turned out so delicious and juicy, and was so easy to make too! Thank you!
This chicken had so much flavor, it might be one of my new favorite chicken recipes.
We can’t get enough of this super delicious marry me chicken! It was so tender and juicy, plus it is filling!