The first time I made Marry Me Chicken, it wasn’t for a fancy dinner—it was a rainy Tuesday, and I needed something comforting. One skillet, some sun-dried tomatoes, and a splash of cream later, my kitchen smelled like a dream. This dish lives up to the hype—rich, bold, and honestly? It might just inspire a proposal.
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Why Everyone Loves Marry Me Chicken
So, why the name “Marry Me Chicken”? Legend has it that this creamy, dreamy dish is so good, it could spark a marriage proposal on the spot. And honestly, after one bite, you’ll understand why.
This recipe brings big flavor with minimal effort. Juicy seared chicken breasts soak in a rich parmesan cream sauce packed with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and a hit of red pepper flakes. It’s the kind of dinner that feels indulgent but comes together fast—just 45 minutes from start to finish.
Whether you’re cooking for date night, meal prepping, or just want to wow your weeknight dinner crew, Marry Me Chicken delivers. Plus, it’s naturally low-carb, gluten-free, and can be adapted for keto, Whole30, or dairy-free diets. One skillet, endless reasons to fall in love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this crave-worthy skillet meal, here’s what you’ll need:
- Chicken breasts – Boneless, skinless, flattened slightly for even cooking
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper – Season to your liking
- Olive oil – Or any neutral oil for searing
- Garlic – Freshly minced for the most aroma
- Chicken broth – Go low-sodium so you control the salt
- Heavy cream – At room temperature to avoid curdling
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese – Melts better and gives a smoother sauce
- Sun-dried tomatoes – Oil-packed give the richest flavor
- Oregano and red pepper flakes – Add depth and gentle heat
- Fresh basil and extra parmesan (optional) – For serving
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Not a fan of chicken breasts? Try boneless chicken thighs—they stay juicy and absorb sauce like a sponge. Want a dairy-free version? Use full-fat coconut cream and dairy-free parmesan.
If you like heat, double the red pepper flakes. For a lighter version, sub half-and-half for cream. And for a pescatarian twist, shrimp or salmon are stellar swaps.
How to Make Marry Me Chicken (Step-by-Step)
1. Sear the Chicken
Flatten your chicken breasts a bit (a zip-top bag and a rolling pin work wonders), then season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden—don’t cook it through just yet. Remove to a plate.
2. Build the Sauce
Lower the heat and sauté the garlic in the same skillet—just until fragrant. Deglaze the pan with chicken broth, scraping up those golden bits for flavor. Pull the skillet off heat briefly, then whisk in the room-temp heavy cream. Stir in the parmesan until it melts, then add sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Simmer the sauce to marry those flavors.
3. Return Chicken & Bake
Nestle the seared chicken back into the sauce, spooning some on top. Transfer the skillet to a preheated 375°F oven and bake for about 13 minutes, or until the chicken hits 160°F inside. Rest it for 5 minutes (carryover heat will bring it to 165°F).
4. Serve It Up
Spoon that luscious sauce over the chicken. Garnish with fresh basil ribbons and extra parm. It’s a showstopper straight from the skillet.
Want another skillet dinner with big flavor? Try this creamy garlic herb chicken skillet for weeknight comfort.
Pro Tips for the Creamy Sauce
- Use room temperature dairy – It helps prevent curdling.
- Go for freshly grated parm – Pre-shredded just doesn’t melt as well.
- Need a thicker sauce? Add more parmesan, a spoon of cream cheese, or whisk in a cornstarch slurry.
- Control the heat – Don’t boil once cream is added—gentle simmer only.
What to Serve With Marry Me Chicken
This saucy dish begs for something to soak it up. Think:
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Steamed rice or buttered noodles
- Roasted green beans or asparagus
- Cauliflower mash or zucchini noodles for a low-carb option
Want a twist with fresh flavors? Check out this baked Caprese chicken skillet for a fresh Italian flavor.
Recipe Variations to Try
Marry Me Chicken is endlessly adaptable. Here’s how you can remix it:
- Switch the protein – Use chicken thighs, shrimp, or salmon
- Make it keto or Whole30 – Use coconut cream and skip the cheese
- Dairy-free version – Swap in dairy-free cream and cheese
- Try the slow cooker – Sear the chicken first, then cook everything low and slow for melt-in-your-mouth results
For something lemony and light, check out this easy chicken Francaise recipe with a lemony twist.
FAQs
It’s earned the nickname because it’s that good. Legend says one bite could spark a marriage proposal thanks to the rich, irresistible flavor.
It’s a creamy parmesan sauce made with chicken broth, garlic, heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and a touch of oregano and red pepper flakes.
Mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, or green beans work great. For low-carb, try cauliflower rice or zoodles.
It went viral on TikTok and Pinterest for good reason: it’s easy, insanely flavorful, and feels like a fancy meal with minimal work.
Marry Me Chicken (Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe)
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Juicy chicken breasts in a rich, creamy sun-dried tomato parmesan sauce—this one-skillet dish is fast, indulgent, and might just inspire a proposal.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Fresh basil and extra parmesan, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Flatten chicken slightly, season with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 3–4 minutes per side until golden. Remove to plate.
- Lower heat and sauté garlic in the same skillet until fragrant.
- Deglaze with chicken broth, scraping up browned bits.
- Off heat, whisk in heavy cream. Stir in parmesan until melted.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Simmer gently.
- Return chicken to skillet, spoon sauce over top.
- Bake in oven for 13 minutes or until internal temp reaches 160°F. Rest 5 minutes.
- Serve with sauce, garnish with basil and extra parmesan if desired.
Notes
Use room-temp dairy to avoid curdling. Freshly grated parmesan melts best. Thicken sauce with more cheese, cream cheese, or cornstarch slurry if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet + Oven
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Final Thoughts
Marry Me Chicken is the kind of dish that makes people pause mid-bite. It’s bold, creamy, comforting—and it doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. Whether you’re cooking to impress or just want something that makes you feel good, this one’s a keeper. Try it tonight, and if it wins over your crowd, drop a comment or rating to let me know!
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