Marry Me Chicken Recipe

Any time a recipe goes viral with “Marry Me” in the title, I am always extra curious to give it a try.

This particular skillet dinner, with its bold claim, absolutely lives up to the hype, creating a meal that feels both special and surprisingly simple.

The Story Behind the Name

The name “Marry Me Chicken” supposedly comes from the idea that this dish is so delicious it could inspire a marriage proposal on the spot.

My own husband, a wonderful man who claims he married me for my vegan lasagna, was so impressed he suggested renewing our vows, which is a pretty solid endorsement.

Ingredients Needed for the Recipe

Gathering these simple ingredients is the first step toward creating something truly magical in your kitchen.

Each one plays a specific role in building the complex, comforting flavors that make this dish so unforgettable.

• Chicken Breasts: The main protein, pounded thin for quick, even cooking and a tender bite.
• Salt & Black Pepper: These essential seasonings enhance the natural flavor of the chicken and the sauce.
• All-Purpose Flour: A light coating creates a beautiful golden crust on the chicken and helps thicken the sauce later.
• Vegetable Oil & Butter: Used for pan-frying, this combination offers a high smoke point and rich, savory flavor.
• Onion & Garlic: Sautéed until soft and fragrant, they form the aromatic foundation of the entire sauce.
• Italian Herb Blend & Fresh Parsley: These herbs provide a classic, earthy backbone that permeates the creamy sauce.
• Chicken Broth: This liquid deglazes the pan, lifting all the tasty browned bits into the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: It’s the base for the luxuriously smooth and velvety sauce that coats everything.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes in Oil: These little gems add a powerful punch of tangy, sweet, and concentrated tomato flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan melts seamlessly into the sauce, adding a salty, nutty depth.
• Fresh Basil & Rigatoni: Basil brings a bright, fresh finish, while the pasta serves as the perfect vehicle for the incredible sauce.

How to make Marry Me Chicken?

The process is a joy, really, building layers of flavor in a single skillet.

You’ll watch simple ingredients transform into a meal that feels like it came from a fancy Italian bistro.

Step 1- PREPARE THE CHICKEN

Start by placing your chicken breasts, one at a time, into a heavy-duty freezer bag or between two sheets of plastic wrap.

Use a meat mallet, rolling pin, or even a heavy skillet to gently pound the chicken to an even ½-inch thickness, which is the secret to perfectly cooked, juicy meat.

Step 2- SEASON AND COAT

Next, rub both sides of each pounded chicken breast with the salt and freshly cracked black pepper.

Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over both sides, pressing gently so it adheres, which will give you that beautiful, light crust.

Step 3- COOK THE CHICKEN

Heat one tablespoon of oil and one tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

Once the butter is foaming, add the chicken and cook for 6 to 8 minutes per side, until the outside is golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F, then set it aside to rest.

Step 4- BUILD THE AROMATIC BASE

In that same, now-flavor-packed skillet, add the remaining tablespoon each of oil and butter.

Toss in your thinly sliced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onions have softened and taken on a lovely golden hue.

Step 5- DEGLAZE AND SIMMER

Stir in the Italian herb blend and fresh parsley, letting their fragrance bloom for just a moment.

Pour in the chicken broth, using your whisk to scrape up all the delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan, then let it come to a gentle simmer.

Step 6- CREATE THE CREAMY SAUCE

Now, pour in the room-temperature heavy cream and add the diced sun-dried tomatoes.

Let the sauce simmer on medium-low, whisking occasionally, until it reduces and thickens to a rich, gravy-like consistency.

Step 7- FINISH THE SAUCE

Turn the heat down to low and whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and torn basil.

The sauce will thicken almost instantly as the cheese melts, creating a velvety, cohesive blanket for your chicken.

Step 8- BRING IT ALL TOGETHER

Carefully return the rested chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce.

Spoon that incredible sun-dried tomato cream sauce generously over the top of each piece, and serve immediately over the cooked rigatoni.

Choosing Your Pasta and Sides

While rigatoni is a fantastic choice, its tubes perfectly capturing the creamy sauce, don’t feel limited.

This chicken shines just as brightly over a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes or with a simple slice of crusty, warm bread for dipping.

Tips

A few small touches can make the difference between a good meal and an unforgettable one.

These tips are gathered from experience, ensuring your Marry Me Chicken turns out perfectly every single time.

• Pound with Care: Even thickness is non-negotiable for preventing dry, overcooked edges and a raw center.
• Embrace the Thermometer: An instant-read thermometer is your best friend here, guaranteeing safe and perfectly juicy chicken at 165°F.
• Grate Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded Parmesan contains anti-caking agents that can leave your sauce grainy, so a block of cheese and a grater are worth the extra minute.
• Use Room Temperature Cream: Adding cold cream to a hot pan can sometimes cause it to curdle; taking it out of the fridge ahead of time prevents this.
• Don’t Rush the Simmer: Letting the sauce reduce slowly is what develops its deep flavor and ideal, luxurious texture.

Storing and Enjoying Leftovers

Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Reheat gently on the stovetop with a small splash of chicken broth or water to bring the sauce back to its original creamy glory.

Print Recipe

Marry Me Chicken Recipe

Author: Kelsey Perez Cooking Method: Simmering Cuisine: American Courses: Dinner, Lunch

Difficulty: easy Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 25 mins Rest Time 5 mins Total Time 45 mins

Servings: 4 Estimated Cost: $ 12.26 Calories: 580

Best Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Description

This viral sensation lives up to its name! Marry Me Chicken features golden, pan-seared chicken breasts smothered in a luxuriously creamy sun-dried tomato sauce with garlic, Parmesan, and fresh herbs. It’s restaurant-quality comfort food made easy in one skillet—and so delicious, it just might inspire a proposal (or at least a vow renewal!). Perfect for date night, weeknights, or impressing guests without the stress.

Ingredients

Servings

• 2 chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs total, pounded to ½-inch thickness)
• ¼ tsp salt
• ⅛ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil (divided)
• 2 Tbsp butter (divided)
• ½ onion (julienned or thinly sliced)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 ½ tsp Italian herb blend
• ½ Tbsp fresh parsley (minced)
• 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
• 1 cup heavy cream (room temperature)
• ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil (diced (oil reserved))
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
• 1 Tbsp fresh basil (torn)
• ½ box rigatoni (16 oz. box, cooked (optional for serving))

Instructions

1. Place chicken breasts in a heavy-duty freezer bag or between two sheets of plastic wrap. Pound to an even ½-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
2. Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper, then dredge evenly in flour, shaking off excess.
3. Heat 1 Tbsp oil and 1 Tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook 6–8 minutes per side until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a plate and let rest.
4. Add remaining 1 Tbsp oil and 1 Tbsp butter to the same skillet. Add onions and garlic; sauté 3–4 minutes until onions soften and turn golden.
5. Stir in Italian herbs and parsley. Pour in chicken broth and deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat.
6. Add heavy cream and diced sun-dried tomatoes. Simmer 5–7 minutes, whisking occasionally, until sauce thickens slightly to a gravy-like consistency.
7. Stir in grated Parmesan and fresh basil. Whisk until cheese melts and sauce becomes creamy (about 1 minute). Remove from heat.
8. Return chicken to the skillet, spooning sauce over the top. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing and serving over cooked pasta, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 4

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 580kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 36g56%

Saturated Fat 18g90%

Cholesterol 165mg56%

Sodium 620mg26%

Potassium 580mg17%

Total Carbohydrate 22g8%

Dietary Fiber 2g8%

Sugars 5g

Protein 42g84%

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Calcium 180 mg

Iron 2 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

• Pound the chicken evenly to ensure quick, even cooking and maximum juiciness.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan—pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can make the sauce grainy.
• Sun-dried tomatoes in oil add depth; don’t skip the oil—it boosts flavor!
• Leftovers? Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth to refresh the creamy sauce. Freezing is not recommended due to the dairy base.
• Serving ideas: Over pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread. Pair with sautéed asparagus or a simple green salad.

Keywords: marry me chicken, creamy chicken recipe, sun-dried tomato chicken, easy chicken dinner, one-pan chicken, Italian chicken