Marry Me Chicken Dish

This hearty Marry Me Chicken has been my favorite dinner party recipe for years. The rich sundried tomato parmesan cream sauce creates such an incredible flavor that it's rumored to inspire marriage proposals with just one bite.

I first made this for my boyfriend on our third date. Three years later he still talks about it as the moment he knew I was "the one" and requests it for every special occasion.

Ingredients

• Chicken Breasts: use large boneless skinless breasts for the juiciest result
• Olive Oil: helps create that perfect golden sear on the chicken
• Garlic: fresh cloves provide the best aromatic foundation for the sauce
• Thyme: this herb adds an earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with the cream
• Red Pepper Flakes: brings a gentle heat that balances the richness
• Chicken Broth: forms the savory base of our sauce use low sodium if possible
• Heavy Cream: creates that luscious velvety texture that makes this dish special
• Sundried Tomatoes: provides sweet tangy pops of flavor throughout the sauce
• Parmesan Cheese: freshly grated is essential for the best flavor and texture
• Fresh Basil: the bright finishing touch that cuts through the richness

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sear the Chicken:

Heat olive oil in your cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Season chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Place in hot skillet and sear undisturbed for 4 5 minutes until deep golden brown. Flip and repeat on the other side. The chicken won't be fully cooked yet but that beautiful crust is essential for flavor. Transfer to a plate.

Create the Sauce Foundation:

Return the same skillet to medium heat preserving all those flavorful browned bits. Add minced garlic and cook for exactly 1 minute until fragrant but not browned which would make it bitter. Immediately add thyme and red pepper flakes allowing them to bloom in the oil for about 30 seconds releasing their essential oils.

Build the Cream Sauce:

Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan scraping up all those delicious browned bits from the bottom. Add heavy cream and let the mixture come to a gentle simmer. Allow it to cook for a full 5 minutes stirring occasionally as it thickens slightly. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon but still be pourable.

Finish the Sauce:

Add chopped sundried tomatoes and freshly grated parmesan cheese stirring until the cheese completely melts into the sauce creating a smooth consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed the sundried tomatoes add saltiness so be careful not to oversalt.

Bake to Perfection:

Return the seared chicken to the skillet nestling the pieces into the sauce. Spoon the sauce generously over each chicken breast ensuring they're well coated. Transfer the entire skillet to your preheated 375°F oven and bake for 15 18 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.

Garnish and Serve:

Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Tear fresh basil leaves over the top and sprinkle with additional parmesan if desired. The residual heat will release the basil's aroma without wilting it completely.

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The sundried tomatoes are truly the secret star of this recipe. I once tried making it without them when I ran out and my husband immediately noticed the difference. They add this incredible umami punch that elevates the entire dish from good to unforgettable.

Make Ahead Options

You can prepare the entire dish up to the baking stage and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve simply bring to room temperature for 30 minutes then bake as directed adding an extra 5 7 minutes to the cooking time. The flavors actually develop beautifully overnight making this a fantastic option for entertaining.

Perfect Pairings

This chicken begs for something to soak up that incredible sauce. I serve it with angel hair pasta crusty Italian bread or over creamy polenta. For vegetables simple roasted asparagus or a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette provides the perfect contrast to the rich sauce. And of course a glass of Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay makes the meal complete.

Dietary Modifications

For a lighter version substitute half and half for the heavy cream and reduce the parmesan by half. The sauce won't be quite as rich but still delicious. To make it dairy free use full fat coconut milk instead of cream and nutritional yeast instead of parmesan. The flavor profile will change slightly but the creamy texture remains.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What makes Marry Me Chicken unique?

Its rich, creamy sundried tomato parmesan sauce, combined with tender skillet-seared chicken, creates a delightful flavor combination that's hard to resist.

→ Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work well too. Adjust the cooking time to ensure they are fully cooked through.

→ What can I serve with Marry Me Chicken?

This dish pairs wonderfully with pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread for soaking up the creamy sauce.

→ Can I make it less spicy?

Yes, simply reduce the amount of red pepper flakes to suit your spice tolerance.

→ Can I make it dairy-free?

Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use a dairy-free parmesan alternative.