Turn simple chicken breasts into a rich, comforting dinner with this easy Marry Me Chicken recipe. Tender chicken is cooked in a creamy parmesan sauce with garlic, herbs, chicken broth, sun-dried tomatoes, and just a touch of red pepper flakes for warmth. It is quick enough for a weeknight meal, special enough for Valentine’s Day, and delicious enough to become a regular family favorite.
Marry Me Chicken has become popular again thanks to social media, but the idea behind this dish has been around for years. It is often compared to “engagement chicken,” a recipe known for being so irresistible that it could inspire a proposal. Whether or not anyone gets down on one knee, this creamy chicken dinner is definitely the kind of meal that wins people over at the table.
One of the best things about this Marry Me Chicken recipe is that it takes only about 40 minutes from start to finish. The chicken is seasoned, seared in a hot skillet, covered in a flavorful cream sauce, and then baked until tender and fully cooked. The result is juicy chicken with a rich sauce that tastes like it took much longer to make.
The sauce is the true star of this dish. Garlic, dried thyme, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, chicken broth, heavy cream, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and freshly grated parmesan cheese come together to create a creamy, savory sauce with a beautiful balance of flavor. It is rich without being complicated, and it pairs perfectly with rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or steamed broccoli.
This easy chicken breast recipe is a great choice for date night, a cozy family dinner, or any night when you want something comforting but not overly difficult. Serve it straight from the skillet with extra sauce spooned over the top for the best flavor.
Recipe Ingredients
- Olive oil
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Dried thyme
- Dried oregano
- Red pepper flakes
- Chicken broth, low sodium if preferred
- Heavy cream
- Sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
In a large oven-safe skillet, or a cast-iron skillet if you have one, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
Cook the chicken for about 5 minutes per side. Transfer it to a plate lined with paper towel and set it aside.
Add the minced garlic to the hot skillet and cook for about 1 minute, just until fragrant. Stir in the dried thyme, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes.
Pour in the chicken broth and stir, scraping up any flavorful bits from the bottom of the skillet.
Add the heavy cream and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce begins to come together.
Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Mix until the creamy Marry Me Chicken sauce is smooth, rich, and well combined.
Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon the sauce over each piece.
Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
The finished Marry Me Chicken should be tender, creamy, and full of savory flavor.
Serve the chicken with extra sauce spooned over the top and add your favorite side dishes.
Rice and steamed broccoli are simple options, but this creamy chicken also works well with pasta, potatoes, or vegetables.
Storage
Store leftover Marry Me Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave before serving. Because the sauce is cream-based, freezing is not recommended, as the texture may change after thawing.
Recipe Notes
- You can use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts if you prefer.
- For a fresh finish, top the dish with chopped fresh basil or fresh parsley before serving.
- Freshly grated parmesan melts more smoothly into the sauce than pre-grated cheese.
- If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the red pepper flakes.
Recipe FAQs
What do you serve with Marry Me Chicken?
Marry Me Chicken is delicious with a simple starch that can soak up the creamy parmesan sauce. Serve it with rice, cauliflower rice, pasta, couscous, roasted potatoes, or mashed potatoes. For vegetables, try zucchini and squash, fresh green beans, grilled asparagus, roasted Brussels sprouts, or steamed broccoli.
Here are more delicious chicken-based main dishes:
Easy Chicken and Dumplings With Biscuits
Grilled Chicken Tenders
Chicken Noodle Soup
Southern Chicken Stew
Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken
Marry Me Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 to 4 chicken breasts
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 3/4 cup chicken broth, low sodium if preferred
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
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Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
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Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes on each side, then transfer the chicken to a paper towel-lined plate.
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Add the minced garlic to the hot skillet and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant. Stir in the dried thyme, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.
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Add the sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan cheese, then stir until the sauce is well combined.
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Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon the sauce over the top.
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Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
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Serve warm with your favorite side dishes.