What is Marry Me Chicken and why is it so popular?

Marry Me Chicken is a creamy chicken dish featuring chicken breasts cooked in a sauce made with garlic, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, sundried tomatoes, and spices like chili flakes and oregano. Its rich flavor and tender texture have made it widely popular, with the name suggesting it’s so delicious it could inspire a marriage proposal. The easy-to-make recipe uses common ingredients and can be prepared in about 30 minutes.

How do I cook chicken so it stays moist for Marry Me Chicken?

To keep the chicken moist, pound chicken breasts to an even thickness before cooking. Sear them over medium heat until golden brown, then finish cooking in the sauce or oven. Using a meat thermometer, cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure doneness without drying out the meat. Avoid high heat, which can quickly make chicken tough.

What can I serve with Marry Me Chicken for a complete meal?

Marry Me Chicken pairs well with pasta, rice, or creamy polenta to soak up the sauce. For lower-carb options, serve it alongside zucchini noodles, butternut squash noodles, or cauliflower rice. Crusty bread is also a great choice for dipping. Adding steamed vegetables or a simple salad complements the richness of the dish.

Can I use other types of cream or milk in the sauce instead of heavy cream?

Heavy cream is recommended because it thickens the sauce and creates a rich texture. Using light cream or milk usually results in a thinner sauce that won’t have the same creamy consistency. Half-and-half can be used but expect a less luxurious sauce. Avoid using milk alone, as it doesn’t have enough fat to produce the signature creaminess.

How should I store and reheat leftover Marry Me Chicken?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. When reheating, do so gently in the microwave or on the stove over low heat. Add a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen the sauce if it has thickened too much. Freezing is not recommended because the creamy sauce may separate and become grainy when thawed.

Marry Me Chicken Recipe: Easy Creamy Dinner To Impress

Name: Easy and Creamy Marry Me Chicken Recipe for a Perfect Dinner
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced lengthwise into thin cutlets (about 8 cutlets); ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper; 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 6 tablespoons unsalted or salted butter, divided; 3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced; ½ small yellow onion, finely diced (about ½ cup); 1 teaspoon chili flakes; ¼ teaspoon dried oregano; ¼ teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves; 1 to 2 tablespoons tomato paste (optional); ⅓ to ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, dry-packed, sliced; 1 cup chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth; ½ cup to ¾ cup heavy cream; ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving; 1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves or torn fresh basil, for garnish; Optional: ½ cup dry white wine; Freshly ground black pepper and additional salt, to taste

Ingredients

Scale

3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced lengthwise into thin cutlets (about 8 cutlets)
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 tablespoons unsalted or salted butter, divided
3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
½ small yellow onion, finely diced (about ½ cup)
1 teaspoon chili flakes
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 to 2 tablespoons tomato paste (optional)
⅓ to ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, dry-packed, sliced
1 cup chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth
½ cup to ¾ cup heavy cream
½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves or torn fresh basil, for garnish
Optional: ½ cup dry white wine
Freshly ground black pepper and additional salt, to taste

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Instructions

1. Season the chicken cutlets evenly with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour, shaking off any excess.
2. Heat olive oil and half the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken cutlets in batches for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken and keep warm.
3. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium-low and melt the remaining butter. Sauté the diced onion for about 2 minutes. Add minced garlic, chili flakes, and tomato paste if using, cooking until fragrant (about 1 minute).
4. Deglaze the pan with white wine or chicken stock, scraping up browned bits from the bottom; let reduce by half (about 2 minutes).
5. Stir in the remaining chicken stock, sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, thyme, and bring to a gentle simmer.
6. Return the chicken cutlets to the skillet and simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and chicken is heated through.
7. Lower heat and stir in heavy cream and parmesan cheese, simmering until the sauce turns creamy and well combined.
8. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve warm over pasta, rice, or your preferred side.

Last Step:

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Notes

🍴 You can buy thin chicken cutlets or slice whole breasts horizontally about ¼ inch thick for consistent cooking.
🍋 Adding a bit of sun-dried tomato oil while sautéing garlic can enhance the tomato flavor.
❄️ Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of water or chicken stock to loosen the sauce.

Author: Brandi Oshea
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Sautéing
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Gluten-Free

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate
Calories: 447–530
Sugar: ~3 g
Sodium: ~600 mg
Fat: ~30 g
Saturated Fat: ~15 g
Carbohydrates: ~13 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: ~31 g
Cholesterol: ~147 mg