Marry Me Chicken Recipe

Deliciously Creamy Marry Me Chicken Recipe - A New Take on a Classic Dish!

If you're looking for a crowd-pleasing chicken dish to impress, Marry Me Chicken is your answer. Imagine perfectly seared tender chicken pieces swirled in a rich, creamy sauce, flavored with sun-dried tomatoes and Italian herbs.

With ingredients that are likely already in your pantry, and just 30 minutes of your time, you can create a meal that's fit for any day of the week or a special occasion.

My take on the classic Marry Me Chicken is a breeze to whip up, but don't let that fool you—the flavors will surprise you with their depth and complexity.

This dish holds a special place at my table; it’s been a hit at family gatherings and a comfort on quiet evenings. I love serving it over a bed of al dente pasta, which perfectly catches the creamy sauce.

However, on days when I’m feeling a bit more indulgent, nothing beats a side of Pomme Puree - Creamy Mashed Potatoes or Turkish Rice Pilaf (Sehriyeli Pilav). I add a pinch of chili flakes for a gentle heat that really brings the sauce to life, and I encourage you to play with the seasonings to suit your taste

What is Marry Me Chicken?

Marry Me Chicken is a popular chicken dish known for its rich and creamy sauce infused with Italian flavors. It typically features seasoned chicken breasts, seared to lock in juices, and then simmered in a decadent creamy sauce. The sauce contains garlic, herbs, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and often sun-dried tomatoes, for a slightly tangy sweetness to the dish.

The name "Marry Me Chicken" comes from how delicious it is—people say it's so good, that it might just get you a marriage proposal, or at least really impress anyone who tries it. It’s become a favorite for romantic dinners and special occasions but is also straightforward enough to prepare for a regular weeknight meal.

Why This Recipe Works?

• Marry Me Chicken is a tasty dish that mixes juicy chicken with a creamy, flavorful sauce. The garlic, Italian herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese give it a rich taste that feels both sophisticated and comforting.

• Despite its gourmet taste, Marry Me Chicken uses ingredients that are easy to find in most grocery stores. There's no need for a special trip to a specialty food store.

• It’s a relatively simple recipe that doesn't require advanced cooking skills. Even those with basic kitchen experience can make a dish that looks and tastes like it came from a restaurant.

• This dish is versatile enough for a weeknight dinner but also special enough for occasions like anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, or when you have guests you want to impress.

• You can make this simple chicken breast dish in about 30 minutes, which is perfect for a delicious dinner on a busy day.

Ingredients You'll Need

Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.

• Chicken breast - I use one medium-sized boneless, skinless chicken breast (approximately 150-160 grams) per person, but chicken thighs also work perfectly with this recipe. You can slice the chicken breasts in halves to speed up the cooking process.

• Chicken stock - I prefer using my homemade Easy Chicken Stock (Bone Broth) but you can also opt for a good quality, low-sodium store-bought broth if that's more convenient.

• Sun-dried tomatoes - Sun-dried tomatoes add a sweet tanginess that gives the dish its signature flavor.

• Heavy cream - This is the key ingredient for creating a super creamy rich sauce. I prefer using full-fat as the reduced-fat version won't provide the same level of creaminess.

• Parmesan cheese - It provides a nutty, salty kick that will have everyone asking for seconds.

• Seasoning and flavorings - Salt, pepper, garlic, paprika, dried oregano, and chili flakes enhance the flavors of this chicken dish.

• Lemon juice - The lemon juice helps cut through the creaminess of the rich sauce.

How to Make Marry Me Chicken?

Making this creamy, tender, and flavorsome Marry Me Chicken recipe is surprisingly easy and straightforward. Here are a few simple steps that you need to follow:

Season the chicken breasts with half of the salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear until golden brown on both sides, approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Lower the heat to medium and add the butter along with the chopped garlic to the skillet. Once the butter has melted, sprinkle the flour over the butter and whisk it in, cooking for about 1-2 minutes until you have a light golden roux (it's the mixture of cooked butter and flour that will help thicken your sauce).

If you're using tomato paste, mix it in now and cook for another minute. Gradually pour in the chicken stock, whisking constantly to incorporate the roux and avoid any lumps. Allow the sauce to simmer for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to thicken.

Stir in the double cream (heavy cream), and mix well.

Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, paprika, chili flakes, grated parmesan, the rest of the seasoning, and dried oregano.

Let the sauce simmer for a couple more minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce.

Cover the pan, and cook over medium heat for 12-15 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and the sauce has thickened to your liking.

Take the skillet off the heat. Adjust the seasoning if needed, squeeze in the lemon juice, and garnish with fresh basil leaves.

Top Tips From the Chef

• If your chicken breasts are quite thick, consider slicing them in halves, or pounding them to an even thickness to ensure they cook evenly and stay tender.

• Don’t rush the searing process; the golden crust adds a lot of flavor and also helps to seal in the juices. Make sure the skillet is hot before you add the chicken.

• When making the roux, ensure it’s free of lumps by whisking continuously. A smooth roux will give your sauce the best texture.

• Full-fat heavy cream or double cream is essential for the richness of the sauce. Lighter creams can't provide the same luxurious velvety texture.

• Fresh basil not only adds a pop of color but also a fresh, aromatic lift to the dish. If you don’t have fresh basil, parsley is a good substitute.

What to Serve With Marry Me Chicken?

Marry Me Chicken is a versatile dish that pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides:

Classic pairings like spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne work well. The pasta can be tossed in the sauce or served with the chicken and sauce on top. Serve over a bed of steamed white rice, or jasmine rice, or go for something more aromatic like a bowl of Yellow Rice (Indian Turmeric Pilau Rice).

Pomme Puree - Creamy Mashed Potatoes make for a comforting base. For something with texture, try Duck Fat Roasted Potatoes or Crispy Sauteed Potatoes With Garlic. A crisp Rocket and Parmesan Salad with a vinaigrette dressing or a classic Caesar salad can add a refreshing contrast to the creamy dish.

Bolillo - Crusty Mexican Bread Rolls, Little Caesars Italian Cheese Bread, or Homemade Sourdough Dinner Rolls are perfect for mopping up any leftover sauce.

After such a rich main course, you might want a light dessert. Consider Muhallebi - Mahalabia Dessert, Turkish Fig Pudding (Incir Uyutmasi), or a cup of Salep - Turkish Hot Milk Drink (Sahlab) to finish the meal.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Storage

Allow the chicken and sauce to cool to room temperature, and transfer them into an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator if you plan to eat the leftovers within 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months.

Note that cream-based sauces may separate or become grainy after freezing, but they will come back together upon reheating with a good stir.

Reheating

If frozen, thaw the chicken and sauce in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat the chicken gently on the stovetop over low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce is too thick. When reheating the sauce, stir it occasionally to help maintain a smooth consistency. If you’re in a hurry, you can use the microwave.

Cover the chicken and sauce with a microwave-safe lid or wrap and heat on medium power in short intervals, stirring the sauce occasionally to ensure even reheating.

Recipe FAQs

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Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

I hope you enjoy the process of making this deliciously creamy Marry Me Chicken recipe as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂 

Bon appétit! / Afiyet olsun!