Incredible Baked Marry Me Chicken

minimal effort. I discovered this creamy baked chicken recipe when I needed something impressive but simple for a dinner party, and now it’s my go-to whenever I want to wow guests without spending hours in the kitchen. The combination of tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and that silky cream sauce is absolutely irresistible.

What makes this version special is that it’s baked in the oven instead of made on the stovetop, which means you can prep it and let it cook while you handle other things. I love how the chicken stays incredibly moist while the sauce bubbles away, creating these amazing caramelized edges. The garlic and Italian herbs create an aroma that pulls everyone into the kitchen asking when dinner will be ready. This marry me chicken recipe truly lives up to its name, delivering comfort food elegance that feels both special and approachable.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Baked Marry Me Chicken

I always use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for even cooking, and I make sure they’re similar in size so they finish at the same time. Pro tip: if your chicken breasts are thick, pound them to an even thickness of about 1 inch for the best results.

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5-2 pounds total)
• 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced (don’t use jarred garlic, fresh makes all the difference)
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (oil-packed or dry work, just drain the oil-packed ones)
• 1 cup heavy cream (this creates that luxurious sauce texture)
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, and thyme blend)
• Salt and pepper to taste (I use about 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper)
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional but adds nice color)

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Marry Me Chicken

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). While it heats, grab a 9×13 inch baking dish and spray it lightly with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then season both sides generously with salt and pepper. This seems basic, but proper seasoning makes a huge difference in the final flavor. Place the seasoned chicken in your prepared baking dish, spacing them evenly so they cook uniformly.

Step 3: In a medium bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, chicken broth, minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and dried Italian herbs. Mix thoroughly until everything’s well combined and you can see the garlic and herbs distributed throughout. The mixture will look thin at this point, but it thickens beautifully as it bakes.

Step 4: Pour the cream mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the baking dish. Make sure each piece gets coated with sauce and the sun-dried tomatoes are distributed around the dish. The sauce should come about halfway up the sides of the chicken.

Step 5: Place the baking dish in your preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F on a meat thermometer. The sauce should be bubbling around the edges and slightly thickened. If your chicken breasts are particularly thick, they may need an extra 5 minutes.

Step 6: Remove from the oven and let the marry me chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. This resting time lets the juices redistribute through the meat, keeping it moist and tender. The sauce will also thicken a bit more as it cools slightly.

Step 7: Spoon that gorgeous sauce over each piece of chicken and garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately while everything’s hot and the sauce is still silky.

Perfect Pairings for Your Marry Me Chicken

The creamy, savory sauce in this recipe pairs beautifully with sides that can soak up every last drop.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes: These create the ultimate comfort food combination. The fluffy potatoes absorb the creamy sauce perfectly, and the garlic ties both dishes together beautifully.

Pasta or Rice: Fettuccine, penne, or white rice work wonderfully here. They provide a neutral base that lets the marry me chicken flavors shine while catching all that delicious sauce.

Crusty Bread: A warm baguette or sourdough is perfect for mopping up sauce. This is honestly my favorite side because it’s so simple yet so satisfying.

Roasted Vegetables: Asparagus, green beans, or roasted Brussels sprouts add freshness and a slight bitterness that balances the rich cream sauce. The textural contrast is perfect.

Simple Salad: A crisp green salad with vinaigrette provides a light, refreshing contrast to the richness of the marry me chicken and helps round out the meal.

More Ways to Make Marry Me Chicken

This Incredible Baked Marry Me Chicken offers effortless oven preparation, but when you prefer stovetop cooking for more control, the Marry Me Chicken One Skillet version delivers the same irresistible flavors. Want to stretch this dish further? The Incredible Marry Me Chicken Pasta turns it into a complete pasta dinner that serves a crowd.

Craving something unique? Try the Marry Me Chicken British Version with its distinctive twist on the classic, or warm up with the comforting Marry Me Chicken Soup that transforms these beloved flavors into a cozy bowl. Short on time? The Easy and Quick Marry Me Chicken Recipe gets dinner on the table fast.

How to Store and Reheat Marry Me Chicken

Store leftover marry me chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce will thicken considerably as it chills, which is completely normal.

To reheat, I recommend placing the chicken and sauce in a covered baking dish at 325°F for about 15-20 minutes until warmed through. Add a splash of cream or chicken broth before reheating to loosen the sauce back to its original consistency. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave at 50% power for 2-3 minutes, stirring the sauce halfway through.

Pro tip: if you know you’ll have leftovers, slightly undercook the chicken by 2-3 degrees the first time. This prevents it from drying out when you reheat it later. This marry me chicken recipe doesn’t freeze well since cream-based sauces tend to separate when frozen and thawed.

Your Marry Me Chicken Questions Answered

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