Quick Marry Me Chicken Recipe

I remember the first time I cooked this dish for a special dinner and realized just how powerful a simple meal can be. The rich aroma of garlic and sun-dried tomatoes filling the kitchen creates an immediate sense of warmth and anticipation.

This Marry Me Chicken combines tender meat with a luxurious cream sauce that tastes like it came from a high-end restaurant. It is my favorite way to turn a pack of chicken breasts into something truly memorable without spending hours at the stove.

What Sets This Marry Me Chicken Apart

You will appreciate how the tangy sun-dried tomatoes cut through the rich cream sauce for a balanced bite every time. The sauce clings perfectly to the chicken to ensure every forkful is moist and satisfying.

I love that this entire meal comes together in a single skillet to make cleanup incredibly fast. It allows me to spend more time enjoying the company at my table rather than scrubbing pots in the sink.

This recipe works just as well for a busy weeknight meal as it does for a celebratory romantic evening. You can have a restaurant-quality dinner on the table in under an hour with minimal effort.

If you enjoyed this savory main dish, you will definitely want to try my Ultimate Jello Poke Cake Recipe for a sweet finish, and the Cozy Pickled Red Onions Recipe adds a bright crunch to any leftovers.

Your Marry Me Chicken Shopping List

Here are the simple ingredients you will need to gather for this recipe:

• Chicken Breasts: Boneless and skinless cuts work best for quick and even cooking.
• Olive Oil: A high-quality oil helps sear the meat beautifully and start the flavor base.
• Salt: Essential for seasoning the meat thoroughly before it hits the pan.
• Black Pepper: Freshly cracked pepper adds a nice subtle heat to the chicken.
• Garlic: Minced fresh cloves provide the aromatic foundation for the cream sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Use a low-sodium version to control the saltiness of the final dish.
• Heavy Cream: This creates the silky, rich texture that defines the sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated cheese melts much better than the pre-packaged kind.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Oil-packed tomatoes offer the most intense and savory flavor profile.
• Dried Oregano: A pinch adds that classic herbal note which pairs well with the cream.
• Red Pepper Flakes: These add a gentle kick to balance the richness of the dairy.
• Fresh Basil: Bright green ribbons add color and freshness just before serving.

My Method for Perfect Marry Me Chicken

Let’s get cooking with these simple steps:

1. Start by preparing your chicken breasts to ensure they cook evenly in the skillet. I place the breasts on a cutting board and pound them to a uniform thickness, or slice thicker breasts in half horizontally to create cutlets. Pat them completely dry with paper towels, then season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Heat your olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
2. Place the seasoned chicken into the hot skillet and sear for about 3 to 4 minutes per side until they develop a golden-brown crust. You do not need to cook them all the way through at this stage, as they will finish in the oven later. Transfer the seared chicken to a plate and set it aside, but leave all those flavorful browned bits in the pan.
3. Preheat your oven to 375°F and lower the stovetop heat to medium-low. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for just under a minute until it smells fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to release the caramelized bits. Remove the pan from the heat briefly to let it cool slightly before whisking in the heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese until smooth.
4. Return the skillet to the burner and stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then nestle the chicken breasts back into the pan, turning them to coat completely in the sauce. Transfer the entire skillet to your preheated oven and bake for about 13-15 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F.
5. Remove the skillet from the oven and let the dish rest for about 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Spoon plenty of the extra sauce over the chicken before serving. I like to garnish immediately with fresh ribbons of basil and a little extra grated parmesan for a beautiful presentation that highlights the colors of the Marry Me Chicken.

My Marry Me Chicken Secrets

I always grate my own parmesan cheese from a block rather than buying the pre-shredded tubs. The additives in bagged cheese prevent it from melting smoothly and often result in a gritty sauce texture.

If your sauce feels too thin after baking, remove the chicken and simmer the liquid on the stove for two minutes. This quickly reduces the cream mixture into a thicker gravy that coats the Marry Me Chicken perfectly.

You can easily swap the sun-dried tomatoes for roasted red peppers if you prefer a milder flavor profile. The result is still creamy and rich but has a slightly sweeter, less tangy finish that kids often enjoy.

Perfect Pairings for Marry Me Chicken

I find that starchy sides are the best way to soak up every drop of the incredible sun-dried tomato cream sauce. A pile of garlic mashed potatoes or a bed of buttered pasta works wonders with this dish.

For a lighter option, I like to serve this Marry Me Chicken alongside roasted asparagus or steamed green beans. The crisp, fresh vegetables provide a nice texture contrast to the soft chicken and rich dairy sauce.

I love seeing what you create in your own kitchens, so please follow me on Pinterest to share your photos.

Marry Me Chicken Recipe

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• Author: Amelia Bryan
• Total Time: 45 min
• Yield: 6 servings
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

A creamy, savory chicken dish featuring sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan cheese, cooked in one skillet for an easy and romantic dinner.

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Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• salt to taste
• freshly cracked black pepper to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• fresh basil for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken by pounding it to an even thickness or slicing into cutlets. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels and season generously with salt and black pepper on both sides. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Sear the chicken breasts in the hot oil for 3-4 minutes per side until they develop a golden crust. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate; do not wipe out the skillet.
3. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Reduce the stovetop heat to medium-low and add the minced garlic, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant. Deglaze the pan with chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
4. Remove the skillet from the heat briefly and whisk in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese until smooth. Return to heat and stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Simmer gently.
5. Return the seared chicken to the skillet, coating it in the sauce. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 12-16 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
6. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped basil and serve warm with the extra sauce spooned over the top.

Notes

For a dairy-free version, use full-fat coconut milk instead of heavy cream and a plant-based parmesan alternative.

• Prep Time: 20 min
• Resting Time: 5 min
• Cook Time: 25 min
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop and Oven
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 430mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 54g
• Cholesterol: 170mg

Keywords: Marry Me Chicken, creamy chicken recipe, sun-dried tomato chicken, easy romantic dinner, one-pan chicken