The Original Marry Me Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Marry Me Chicken is a creamy, flavorful dish that’s surprisingly simple to make. Tender chicken breasts are cooked in a luscious sun-dried tomato cream sauce, making it perfect for an impressive weeknight dinner or special occasion.

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
• 3/4 c. low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 c. finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• 1/2 c. heavy cream
• 1/4 c. finely grated Parmesan
• Torn fresh basil, for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375°F (190°C). In a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Generously season the chicken breasts with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook the chicken, turning halfway through, until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet over medium heat, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir in the chopped garlic, fresh thyme leaves, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the chicken broth, sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese; season with salt to taste. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet.
3. Step 3: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake until the chicken is cooked through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 165°F (74°C), about 10 to 12 minutes.
4. Step 4: Arrange the chicken on a serving platter. Spoon the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce over the top and garnish with torn fresh basil before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, marinate the chicken breasts in olive oil, garlic, and herbs for 30 minutes before cooking.
• Use fire-roasted sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for a richer taste.
• Swap the thyme for fresh oregano or rosemary to change the herb profile.
• Serve over pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Storage

Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave to avoid curdling the cream sauce. Add a splash of chicken broth if the sauce thickens too much while reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used. They tend to stay juicier and may need slightly longer baking time to reach the proper internal temperature.

Is there a dairy-free alternative for the cream and Parmesan?

You can substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan to make a dairy-free version, though the flavor will be slightly different.

The Original Marry Me Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 437 reviews

This classic Marry Me Chicken recipe features tender, golden-brown chicken breasts cooked in a luscious creamy sun-dried tomato sauce with fresh herbs and Parmesan, finished off with fragrant basil. Perfect for an impressive weeknight dinner or special occasion, it combines comforting flavors with simple techniques.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 22 minutes
• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

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Chicken and Seasoning

• 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Sauce

• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves
• 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
• 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
• Torn fresh basil, for serving

Instructions

1. Preheat and brown chicken: Arrange a rack in the center of your oven and preheat to 375°F (190°C). Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Generously season the chicken breasts with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides. Cook the chicken, turning once halfway through, until golden brown on each side, about 5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
2. Prepare the sauce: In the same skillet over medium heat, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir in the finely chopped garlic, fresh thyme leaves, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook while stirring for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth, finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan cheese. Season the sauce lightly with salt and bring it to a gentle simmer.
3. Combine chicken and sauce: Return the browned chicken breasts along with any juices accumulated on the plate back into the skillet with the sauce. Ensure the chicken is partially submerged in the sauce.
4. Bake for doneness: Transfer the entire ovenproof skillet to the preheated oven. Bake until the chicken is cooked through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F (74°C), about 10 to 12 minutes.
5. Serve: Carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Arrange the chicken on a serving platter, spoon the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce generously over the chicken, and top with torn fresh basil leaves for a fresh, aromatic finish.

Notes

• This dish requires an ovenproof skillet to seamlessly transfer from stovetop to oven; cast iron or heavy stainless steel are ideal.
• Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil will add more flavor and richness compared to dry varieties; drain excess oil if using oil-packed.
• For a lower-fat version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or evaporated milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
• Serve with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
• Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to your desired spice level or omit for milder flavor.

Keywords: Marry Me Chicken, creamy chicken recipe, sun-dried tomato chicken, easy chicken dinner, skillet chicken recipe