Marry Me Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Marry Me Chicken is a creamy, flavorful dish that’s surprisingly easy to make and perfect for a special dinner. Tender chicken breasts are smothered in a rich sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, making every bite irresistible.

Ingredients

• 4 (6-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• ½ cup chicken stock
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ¼ cup fresh basil leaves (chopped)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Season the chicken breasts evenly with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear until golden brown on both sides, about 4 to 5 minutes per side. Remove chicken to a plate; it does not need to be cooked through yet.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in chicken stock, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium. Stir in the heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes (if using). Let the sauce simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until it thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon sauce over each piece, and simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes. Cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
6. Step 6: Stir in fresh basil just before serving. Serve the chicken with extra sauce spooned over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in olive oil and Italian seasoning for 30 minutes before cooking.
• Use jarred sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for a richer taste, or rehydrate dried ones in warm water if necessary.
• Swap heavy cream for half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but expect it to be less thick and creamy.
• Add a splash of white wine to the sauce after the garlic step for deeper flavor.

Storage

Store leftover Marry Me Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or microwave until warm, adding a splash of cream or stock if the sauce thickens too much.

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 work well and tend to be more forgiving and juicy. Adjust cooking times slightly, as thighs may take a bit longer to cook through.

Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

You can freeze cooked chicken with sauce for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently to preserve the creamy texture of the sauce.

Marry Me Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 546 reviews

• Author: lina
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

Marry Me Chicken is a creamy, flavorful skillet dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich sauce of heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil. This easy-to-make recipe combines Italian seasoning with a touch of heat from red pepper flakes, delivering a comforting meal perfect for weeknights or special occasions.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 4 (6-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Sauce

• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ cup chicken stock
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

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Instructions

1. Season the chicken: Combine Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper, then rub evenly over the chicken breasts to flavor the meat thoroughly.
2. Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer the chicken to a plate; it will finish cooking later in the sauce.
3. Sauté the garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
4. Deglaze the pan: Pour in the chicken stock while scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen any browned bits. This adds flavor to your sauce.
5. Create the creamy sauce: Reduce heat to medium, then stir in the heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer gently for 3–4 minutes until it thickens slightly.
6. Simmer the chicken in sauce: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon some sauce over them, and simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is cooked through.
7. Add fresh basil and serve: Stir chopped fresh basil into the sauce just before serving. Plate the chicken with extra sauce spooned over. This dish goes wonderfully with pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.

Notes

• Ensure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
• Sun-dried tomatoes add a sweet and tangy depth to the sauce, but you can substitute with roasted red peppers if unavailable.
• Adjust red pepper flakes according to your spice preference or omit for a milder dish.
• This dish pairs well with any starch like pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce.
• For lower fat, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, though the sauce will be less rich.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-American

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