Easy and quick Marry Me Chicken

Marry Me Chicken is my go-to recipe when I want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen. This creamy sun-dried tomato chicken dish has become a weeknight favorite in my house because it tastes like restaurant-quality food but comes together in one skillet.

I first made this recipe on a rainy Tuesday evening when I needed something comforting but special. The aroma of garlic sizzling with those tangy sun-dried tomatoes filled my kitchen, and I knew I had a winner. What makes this creamy chicken recipe so appealing is how the Parmesan sauce clings to every bite, creating that perfect balance of rich and tangy flavors. The best part? You’re done cooking in about 35 minutes from start to finish, and there’s minimal cleanup since everything happens in one pan.

What You’ll Need for Marry Me Chicken

I always use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe, though thighs work beautifully if you prefer juicier, more forgiving meat. Pro tip: buy sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil rather than the dried variety – they’re softer and add extra flavor to your pan.

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 to 2 pounds total, or substitute chicken thighs)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced (fresh garlic makes a difference here)
• ½ cup chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and chopped
• ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (the real stuff, not the shelf-stable kind)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Pinch of red pepper flakes, optional (start small if heat-sensitive)
• ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped, or substitute fresh parsley

How to Make Marry Me Chicken Step by Step

Step 1: Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. The drier the surface, the better your sear will be.

Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add chicken breasts and sear for 5 to 6 minutes on the first side without moving them. Flip and cook another 5 to 6 minutes until golden brown. The chicken doesn’t need to be fully cooked at this point (internal temp around 145°F is fine). Remove to a plate and set aside.

Step 3: Add minced garlic to the same pan, still over medium-high heat. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant and just starting to turn golden. Watch carefully so it doesn’t burn.

Step 4: Pour in chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all those brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. This is where tons of flavor lives, so don’t skip this step.

Step 5: Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, thyme, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and red pepper flakes if using. Whisk everything together and let the mixture come to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, whisking occasionally, until the cheese melts completely and the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Step 6: Return the chicken breasts and any accumulated juices to the pan. Spoon some of that creamy sauce over the top of each piece. Reduce heat to medium-low and let everything simmer gently for 8 to 10 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Don’t let the sauce boil hard or it may separate.

Step 7: Remove from heat and scatter fresh basil or parsley on top. Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Serve hot, spooning extra sauce over each portion.

Perfect Pairings for Marry Me Chicken

This rich, creamy chicken pairs beautifully with sides that can soak up all that delicious sauce.

Pasta: Serve the chicken over fettuccine, penne, or angel hair pasta for a complete Italian-inspired meal that turns this into marry me chicken pasta. The noodles catch every bit of that creamy tomato sauce.

Rice: Plain white rice, garlic butter rice, or even cauliflower rice provides a neutral base that lets the Parmesan cream sauce shine through.

Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are the ultimate comfort pairing – you’ll want to mix that sun-dried tomato sauce right into each bite.

Crusty Bread: A warm baguette or garlic bread is perfect for mopping up every last drop of sauce from your plate.

Green Vegetables: Balance the richness with roasted asparagus, sautéed green beans, or a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette.

More Marry Me Chicken Variations Worth Trying

This Easy and Quick Marry Me Chicken Recipe gets dinner on the table fast, but when you have more time to let flavors develop, the Incredible Baked Marry Me Chicken offers deeper richness through oven cooking, while the Marry Me Chicken One Skillet provides hands-on stovetop control for perfect results.

Ready to explore creative variations? The Incredible Marry Me Chicken Pasta transforms the dish into a hearty pasta dinner, while the Marry Me Chicken Soup reimagines these flavors as a warming, spoonable meal. For something different, try the Marry Me Chicken British Version with its unique international flair.

Storing Your Marry Me Chicken Leftovers

Store any leftover marry me chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making this one of those recipes that tastes even better the next day.

When reheating, I recommend using low heat on the stovetop rather than the microwave. Add a splash of chicken broth or water to the pan as the cream sauce thickens considerably once refrigerated. Heat gently, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.

Pro tip: If you’re meal prepping, slightly undercook the chicken during the initial searing. It’ll finish cooking when you reheat it, preventing that dry, overcooked texture that sometimes happens with reheated chicken breast.

Common Questions About Marry Me Chicken

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