One Pan Marry Me Chicken

One Pan Marry Me Chicken is my absolute favorite weeknight dinner when I need something impressive without the hassle. This creamy sun-dried tomato sauce with tender chicken comes together in just one skillet, making cleanup a breeze while delivering restaurant-quality flavor.

I’ll never forget the first time I made this recipe on a busy Tuesday night. I was exhausted from work and almost ordered takeout, but I had all these ingredients sitting in my fridge. Twenty-five minutes later, I was sitting down to the creamiest, most flavorful chicken dish I’d ever made at home. The golden-brown chicken breasts swimming in that luscious Parmesan cream sauce with tangy sun-dried tomatoes looked like something from a fancy Italian restaurant. My family couldn’t believe I whipped it up so quickly. Now, this One Pan Marry Me Chicken recipe is my go-to whenever I want to feel like a kitchen rockstar without spending hours cooking or washing dishes.

What You’ll Need for One Pan Marry Me Chicken

I always use fresh ingredients for this recipe because they make such a difference in the final dish. The quality of your Parmesan really matters here. I recommend buying a block and grating it yourself instead of using pre-shredded cheese, which contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce grainy.

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs, pounded to ¾ inch even thickness)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (I prefer fresh over jarred for better flavor)
• ⅔ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream (don’t substitute with milk, it won’t thicken properly)
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, but I love the subtle heat)
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Results

I recommend reading through all the steps before you start cooking so you know what to expect. This recipe moves quickly once you begin, so having everything prepped and ready makes the process smooth and stress-free.

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Pat your chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. If your chicken breasts are thick, pound them to about ¾ inch thickness for even cooking. Moisture is the enemy of a good sear, so don’t skip the drying step. This prep takes about 3-4 minutes.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Carefully add the chicken breasts to the pan and resist the urge to move them. Let them sear undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until a golden crust forms. Flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (or 160°F if you prefer to account for carryover cooking). Transfer to a plate, tent with foil, and let rest for 3-5 minutes to retain juices. The chicken will look beautifully golden and smell amazing at this point.

Step 3: Build the Sauce Reduce your heat to medium and add the minced garlic to the same pan with all those delicious browned bits. Sauté for just 30-60 seconds until fragrant but not burned. Toss in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and red pepper flakes, stirring for about 1 minute. The garlic should smell incredible without any bitter notes.

Step 4: Deglaze and Simmer Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up every single browned bit from the bottom of the pan. This is where the flavor magic happens. Add the heavy cream and bring everything to a gentle simmer. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth and velvety, coating the back of a spoon, about 2-3 minutes. Watch it closely so the cream doesn’t boil over. If sauce seems too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons more broth. If too thin, simmer 1-2 minutes longer.

Step 5: Finish the Dish Return your chicken breasts and any accumulated juices back to the pan. Spoon that gorgeous sauce over the top and let everything simmer together for 2-3 minutes so the flavors meld. Remove from heat and garnish with torn fresh basil leaves. The aroma will fill your kitchen.

Step 6: Serve Immediately Plate your One Pan Marry Me Chicken while the sauce is hot and creamy. I like to spoon extra sauce over each piece because that’s where all the flavor lives.

Best Sides to Serve with This Creamy Chicken

This sauce is so delicious you’ll want something to soak it all up. I always plan my sides around capturing every last drop of that creamy goodness.

Pasta: Penne, fettuccine, or angel hair pasta are perfect vehicles for this rich sauce. The pasta soaks up the cream and makes this feel like an Italian feast.

Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes complement the sauce beautifully and create an ultra-comforting meal that’s perfect for cooler evenings.

Crusty Bread: A warm baguette or garlic bread is essential for mopping up every bit of sauce from your plate. I never serve this dish without bread on the table.

Rice: White rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice work wonderfully as a lighter base that still captures all that flavor.

Roasted Vegetables: Roasted broccoli, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts add a nice textural contrast and make the meal feel more balanced.

Simple Green Salad: A crisp salad with a light vinaigrette cuts through the richness and freshens up the whole plate. Look for best sides for One Pan Marry Me Chicken if you want more pairing ideas.

More Delicious Chicken Recipes to Try

This One Pan Marry Me Chicken pairs beautifully with other creamy comfort dishes that make weeknight dinners special. For another quick skillet option, try the impressive Crispy Parmesan Chicken with Rich Garlic Sauce, which shares that same Italian-inspired creaminess. The Creamy Lemony Tuscan Chicken offers a bright citrus twist on similar flavors.

When looking for complete one-pan meals, the Honey Garlic Butter Chicken with Mac & Cheese delivers the same easy cleanup with a sweet-savory profile. For slow cooker convenience with comparable creamy results, the Slow Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken and Slow Cooker Parmesan Garlic Chicken Sandwiches are perfect for busy days when minimal hands-on time is essential.

How to Store and Reheat Your Marry Me Chicken

I recommend storing any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making this one of those rare dishes that tastes even better the next day.

For reheating, I prefer using the stovetop method. Place the chicken and sauce in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of chicken broth to loosen the sauce. Heat gently until warmed through, about 5-7 minutes. You can also microwave at 50% power in 1-minute intervals, but the stovetop method keeps the sauce silkier.

Pro tip: This One Pan Marry Me Chicken freezes well for up to 2 months. The sauce may separate slightly when frozen, but a quick whisk while reheating brings it right back together. Just let it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Common Questions About One Pan Marry Me Chicken

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