Marry Me Chicken

5 from 1 vote

If you’ve never heard of Marry Me Chicken, you’re in for a real treat! With its combination of chicken, creamy Parmesan cheese sauce, and sun-dried tomatoes, it’s a luxurious, yet simple recipe for an unforgettable meal that your friends and family will never forget.

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My Marry Me Chicken recipe makes creating a truly memorable meal as simple as child’s play. Whether it’s for a special occasion, date night, or just a weeknight dinner, this dish will give you a real sense of accomplishment with minimal effort.

You’re probably wondering how the recipe got its name, right? According to internet legend, it’s so over-the-top delicious that if you serve it to your significant other, they’ll be moved to immediately ask you to marry them. Maybe. Or maybe it’s just that the ingredients “marry” so well. They do make a pretty irresistible combination of flavors. So irresistible that you may just find yourself going back for seconds!

❤️ Why I Love This Recipe

The chicken is flavorful, tender, and delicious!
It’s smothered in a luscious Parmesan and sun-dried tomato cream sauce.
You’ll need only one pan.
It’s impressive enough for guests but easy enough for busy weeknights.

🍳 Tools You’ll Use

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My Favorite Kitchen Knives

WÜSTHOF Gourmet 2-Piece Chef's Knife Set

WÜSTHOF GOURMET SERIES – 2 Piece Chef's Knife Set with triple riveted synthetic polypropylene handles that resist fading, discoloration, heat and impact. Precisely laser-cut stamped knives offer superb quality and value
Includes 4" Utility Knife and 8" Cook’s Knife

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🛒 Ingredient Notes

All ingredients needed to make Marry Me Chicken.

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – Chicken breast is my preference for this recipe. However, thighs work very well, too. Use whatever you like or what fits your budget.
Heavy cream – You may find it labeled “heavy whipping cream” in your grocery store.
Parmesan cheese – Use the best quality that fits within your budget.
Red pepper flakes – Add more or less to suit your personal tolerance for spiciness. Or leave it out completely.
Thyme, oregano, and basil – I always prefer fresh herbs when possible, but dried may certainly be substituted.
Sun-dried tomatoes – Available either packed in oil or dry in a vacuum sealed bag. The ones packed in oil tend to be more flavorful.

You’ll find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe at the bottom of this post.

🔪 How I Make Marry Me Chicken

Raw chicken breasts and a knife on a wooden board.

Cut the three chicken breasts lengthways to make 6 thinner chicken pieces.
Season chicken with salt and pepper and coat well with the flour.
Over medium heat, melt the butter and olive in a large skillet.
Add the chicken pieces and cook until golden brown on both sides (about 4 minutes per side). Remove from the skillet and set aside.

Chicken broth being poured into the skillet.

Parmesan cheese and other ingredients added to the skillet.

Sauteed chicken breasts added back to the mixture.

Add the chopped onions and cook until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Add the chicken stock stirring to deglaze the skillet and scrape up any stuck bits.
Turn the heat to low and stir in the cream and parmesan cheese. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, thyme, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to taste.
Add the chicken back to the skillet. Simmer for about 5-10 minutes and then sprinkle with fresh basil.

Finished recipe in a black cast iron skillet.

Serve immediately over rice or pasta.

🔀 Substitutions and Additions

Substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs in place of breasts.
Add 1/2 cup of white wine to the sauce.
Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a slightly lighter dish.
Add 1/3 cup canned, drained mushrooms to the sauce.
Instead of fresh herbs, use a dried Italian seasoning mixture or herbes de Provence.
If you’re not a fan of sun-dried tomatoes, try using roasted red peppers instead.
Substitute Asiago cheese for the Parmesan.

Marry Me Chicken over rice in a white bowl.

⏱️ How I Make it Ahead

You’ll have two choices for making this recipe in advance. 1) Do all the prep work a day in advance and store the prepared ingredients in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook, or 2) prepare the recipe, allow it to cool completely, and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat over very low heat.

🍽️ What to Serve with Marry Me Chicken?

This is a fairly rich recipe and is typically served over rice or pasta. I recommend pairing this with lighter side dishes such as steamed vegetables (green beans, broccoli, or squash), or a simple side salad with a vinegar-based dressing. Bread is optional but a nice addition to round out the meal.

For dessert, choose something light like Pavlova or Baked Alaska.

🍚 Storing Leftovers

Completely cooled leftovers may be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave in 30-second increments.