This easy Marry Me Chicken recipe is the BEST date-night main dish. Tender, creamy chicken in a simple sun-dried tomato cream sauce, ready in under 30 minutes.
Estimated reading time: 11 minutes
Every now and then there’s a recipe that finds its way into our meal plan again and again and again. This Marry Me Chicken is an absolutely AMAZING way to turn some basic chicken breasts into absolute magic. There’s a good reason it’s called Marry Me Chicken – it’s one of the best main dishes we’ve ever had… tender, juicy chicken with the most irresistible, creamy sauce flavoured with sun-dried tomatoes. We absolutely love it and while we can’t guarantee it’ll get you hitched, we CAN guarantee you’ll love it too!
Marry Me Chicken, with its perfect blend of flavours, is such a delicious chicken dish that it could inspire a marriage proposal. If that sounds a little dramatic, we hear you – but regardless of whether or not this chicken recipe will put a ring on your finger, it’s one of the best chicken recipes we’ve ever made. You’ll definitely be going back for seconds! Trust us, with the rich, creamy sauce, tender moist chicken, and the most delicious Italian-inspired flavours, it’ll become one of your favourites too!
Marry Me Chicken is usually made by browning seasoned boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a skillet and then preparing a creamy sauce made with heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese. The chicken is then simmered in the decadent sauce and finished off with a sprinkle of fresh basil.
There are SO many reasons we make this Marry Me Chicken recipe over and over again! Here’s a few:
- It’s EASY to make. There’s nothing like a simple, one-pan chicken recipe with minimal steps and basic ingredients. This Marry Me Chicken is all that and more.
- It’s SO flavourful. Talk about a flavour punch, the sauce is SO creamy and flavourful thanks to a little trick!
- It’s on the table FAST. In under 30 minutes you can have this amazing chicken ready to go. Whip up a quick salad and some baked potatoes and you’ve got an easy and delicious dinner.
- It’s great for MEAL PREP. We love doubling this recipe in a big skillet and saving half for another dinner later in the week. The chicken can be sliced, reheated in the sauce and served as leftovers over pasta for a delicious and creamy meal.
- It’s easy to CUSTOMIZE. Want to add more veggies? Throw in some chopped kale or spinach. Like spicy foods? Add in some chopped red chiles. Avoiding dairy? Make it with coconut cream.
- It calls for SIMPLE ingredients. There’s no all purpose flour in this recipe (and no butter) – just simple pan-fried chicken with a dreamy sauce.
Here’s a short list of our favourite dishes to serve with this Marry Me Chicken recipe!
- Best Mashed Potatoes – these mashed potatoes are perfect for sopping up all that delicious sauce!
- Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes – these crispy potatoes pair perfectly with this creamy dish.
- Caprese Salad – a fresh salad is the perfect starter to pair with this chicken and its creamy sauce.
- Rosemary Dill Roasted Potatoes – a fresh and flavourful roasted potato recipe is a great side dish!
- Roasted Vegetables – these roasted veggies go with everything and they’re a great accompaniment to this chicken dish.
Looking for more decadent recipes to make at home? Here’s a list of our favourites!
- Easy Risotto
- Easy Glazed Miso Salmon
- Kale Salad with Butternut Squash
- One Pan Chicken Alfredo Pasta
- Air Fryer Salmon
- Olive Garden Salad
- Pear Salad with Walnuts, Prosciutto and Goat Cheese Arugula
- Cast Iron Steak
- Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Parmesan
- New York Cheesecake
- Chocolate Lava Cake
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Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious Marry Me Chicken recipe (paid links):
- large skillet
- Tongs
- Instant Read Thermometer
- chopping board
- Garlic Press
- Whisk
- large knife
- measuring cups and spoons
- liquid measuring cups
Here’s what you’ll need to make this deliciously easy Marry Me Chicken recipe (paid links):
- 2 large chicken breasts sliced in half (this makes 4 small or medium chicken cutlets)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons oil from the tomato jar
- 4 cloves garlic crushed or finely minced
- 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes optional
- 1/2 cup white wine substitute with chicken stock, if desired
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2/3 cup low sodium chicken stock or chicken broth or use water
- 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese
- a small handful of fresh basil
Want to try something new? Here’s a list of some new and interesting ways to switch up the basic Marry Me Chicken recipe!
1. Dairy-Free – Substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and use nutritional yeast or a vegan Parmesan cheese alternative for the cheesy flavour.
2. Bacon and Asparagus – Add chopped, cooked bacon to the sauce and and mix in steamed chopped asparagus during the final minutes of simmering.
3. Mushroom – Add sliced mushrooms for a rich umami flavour and a hearty texture that pairs perfectly with the creamy sauce.
4. Roasted Red Pepper – Along with sun-dried tomatoes, add in chopped roasted red peppers to the sauce, giving it more sweetness and a smoky flavour.
5. Spinach – Fold in fresh spinach towards the end of cooking, adding both flavour and colour to the dish.
6. Mediterranean – Add chopped olives or capers for a tangy Mediterranean flavour.
7. Low Carb – Make sure all ingredients, including the cream, are low in carbs. Serve it over cauliflower rice or with steamed green vegetables.
8. Pesto – Stir a few tablespoons of basil pesto into the sauce as it thickens to infuse the dish with a fresh, herby flavour.
9. Creamy Dijon – Add a tablespoon of Dijon mustard into the cream sauce for a tangy taste and a French-inspired flavour.
Time needed: 25 minutes
Here’s how to make this delicious Marry Me Chicken recipe!
- Prepare the chicken.
Cut the chicken breasts in half (butterfly them and slice through) and pat them dry on both sides with paper towel. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder on all sides.
- Cook the chicken through in a hot skillet.
Heat up the skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Brown the chicken breasts on both sides, making sure the internal temperature of your breasts reaches 165℉ (74℃) when they’re done cooking. Remove them to a plate and set aside.
- Start the sauce.
In the pan, over medium heat, add the 2 tablespoons of sun-dried tomato oil, the crushed garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning and chili or red pepper flakes (if using) and sauté until very fragrant.
- Add the wine for flavour.
Add the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping all the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. After the wine has reduced, add the chicken stock. Let the stock simmer for 4-5 minutes until it reduces somewhat.
- Make it creamy.
Lower the heat to low and add the heavy cream. When the whole mixture is warm, add the Parmesan cheese and stir everything together well with a whisk until it reaches the desired consistency (super creamy and a little bit thick).
- Add the cooked chicken back in.
After the Parmesan is melted, add the chicken and the juices on the plate back in to the pan. Nestle the chicken breasts in the sauce and baste them with the sauce. Add the chopped basil on top and serve.
Why is it called Marry Me Chicken?
This creamy chicken dish got its name because of its reputation for being so delicious, it could inspire a marriage proposal.
What is Marry Me Chicken made of?
It’s made with pan fried chicken breasts and a creamy sauce flavoured with sun-dried tomatoes, basil, and Parmesan cheese.
What can I serve with Marry Me Chicken?
We love serving it with mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, or over pasta.
Can Marry Me Chicken be frozen?
Yes. We recommend freezing it in an airtight container and when you’re ready to enjoy it, thawing it in the fridge overnight and reheating in a pan on the stove.
How many calories does Marry Me Chicken have?
There are about 470 calories in one serving of this dish, including the chicken and the creamy sauce.
Can you make Marry Me Chicken without sun-dried tomatoes?
Yes, feel free to add fresh tomatoes and a little tomato paste instead of sun-dried tomatoes.
We hope you love this delicious Marry Me Chicken recipe as much as we do! Let us know in the comments below, what’s your favourite easy chicken recipe? We’d love to know!
More Delicious Chicken Recipes
- How to Make Shredded Chicken
- Cashew Chicken
- Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry
- Baked Chicken Tenders
- Pesto Chicken Bake
- Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
- Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
- Salt and Pepper Chicken
- Greek Yogurt Marinated Chicken
- The BEST Grilled Chicken Recipe
Watch the video below to see exactly how we make this recipe. You can find many more deliciously simple recipe videos on our YouTube channel!
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Marry Me Chicken
Recipe: Equipment
Recipe: Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts sliced in half
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons oil from the tomato jar
- 4 cloves garlic crushed or finely minced
- 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes optional
- 1/2 cup white wine substitute with chicken stock, if desired
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2/3 cup chicken stock or use water
- 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese
- a small handful of fresh basil
For serving:
- fresh cracked black pepper
- additional shaved parmesan and fresh basil
Recipe: Instructions
- Cut the chicken breasts in half (butterfly them and slice through) and pat them dry on both sides with paper towel. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder on all sides.
- Heat up the skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil.
- Brown the chicken breasts both sides, making sure the internal temperature of your breasts reaches 165℉ (74℃) when they're done cooking. Remove them to a plate and set aside.
- In the pan, over medium heat, add the 2 tablespoons of sun-dried tomato oil, the crushed garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning and chili flakes (if using) and sauté until very fragrant.
- Add the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping all the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
- After the wine has reduced, add the chicken stock. Let the stock cook for 4-5 minutes until it reduces somewhat.
- Lower the heat to low and add the heavy cream. When the whole mixture is warm, add the Parmesan cheese and stir everything together well with a whisk.
- After the Parmesan is melted, add the chicken and the juices on the plate back in to the pan. Nestle the chicken breasts in the sauce and baste them with the sauce. Add the chopped basil on top and serve.
Recipe: Notes
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store this chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the fridge. It can be reheated in the microwave or in a pan on the stove until heated through. We don’t recommend boiling the sauce as it can separate.Freezer Instructions
This recipe keeps well in the freezer for up to 3 months if protected well from freezer burn (store in an airtight container). Thaw in the fridge for 24 hours and then reheat in a pan on the stove until heated through.Recipe: Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
So easy and delish! Definitely going into our rotation. What do you like serving this with?
Thanks so much! You’ll love it served with mashed potatoes or over pasta!
This Chicken recipe is so delicious sounding and so easy to make and since I prepare most of the meals in our household, easy is good! The title of this recipe reminds me of what my wife said to me 39 years ago! 😉