Marry Me Chicken is a creamy, flavorful dish that’s perfect for impressing guests or serving as a comforting meal at home. With tender chicken cutlets cooked in a rich, luscious sauce featuring sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan, this dish has earned its name because of its ability to win anyone over! It’s a simple yet elegant recipe that can be served over pasta, rice, or with a side of vegetables.
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:
- 3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced into cutlets)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 6 tbsp all-purpose flour (for dredging)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp chili flakes
- ¼ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp thyme
- ⅓ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 tbsp fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
HOW TO MAKE MARRY ME CHICKEN:
This dish comes together in just a few steps. The chicken is seared until golden brown, then simmered in a creamy, garlicky sauce that’s infused with sun-dried tomatoes and herbs.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS:
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Begin by slicing each chicken breast into cutlets to ensure even cooking. Season the chicken on both sides with ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper. Dredge each piece in all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess.
- Sear the Chicken:
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the floured chicken cutlets to the pan. Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until it’s golden brown and cooked through. Once seared, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
- Make the Garlic Sauce:
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, making sure not to burn the garlic. Then, pour in the chicken stock to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. These browned bits will add extra flavor to your sauce.
- Add the Creamy Elements:
- Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, chili flakes, dried oregano, and thyme. Let the sauce simmer over medium-low heat for about 5-6 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Incorporate the Sun-Dried Tomatoes:
- Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and let them heat through. Their sweet, tangy flavor adds a wonderful contrast to the creamy sauce.
- Combine the Chicken and Sauce:
- Return the seared chicken cutlets to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy sauce. Allow the chicken to simmer in the sauce for an additional 3-4 minutes, ensuring the chicken is heated through and fully coated in the flavorful sauce.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish your Marry Me Chicken with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and added freshness. Serve hot over pasta, rice, or alongside vegetables.
HELPFUL TIPS:
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: If you’re using sun-dried tomatoes that are packed in oil, be sure to drain them before chopping. You can also use the oil for added flavor in place of some of the olive oil.
- Cream Substitutes: If you want to lighten the dish, you can substitute half-and-half or a mixture of milk and cornstarch for the heavy cream, though the sauce may be less rich.
- Make it Spicier: Adjust the level of chili flakes based on your heat preference. You can also add a pinch of paprika for additional warmth.
DETAILS:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten-Free adaptable (use gluten-free flour)
NOTES:
- Be careful not to overcook the chicken. Cooking for 4-5 minutes per side should be enough for thin cutlets.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can let it simmer for a few extra minutes or stir in a slurry of cornstarch and water to thicken it further.
- Feel free to swap out the fresh basil with parsley or thyme for a different herbaceous note.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts? Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well in this recipe. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time as thighs might take a little longer to cook through.
What side dishes go well with Marry Me Chicken? This dish pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes. You can also serve it with a side of roasted vegetables like asparagus, green beans, or broccoli.
How can I make the sauce thicker? If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer for a few more minutes or add a cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon of water) to the sauce and stir until thickened.
STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS:
To store leftover Marry Me Chicken, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave. If the sauce thickens too much during storage, add a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen it while reheating.
RELATED RECIPES:
If you liked this Marry Me Chicken, you’ll definitely enjoy these other flavorful dishes:
- Tuscan Chicken with Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken
- Lemon Butter Chicken
CONCLUSION:
Marry Me Chicken is a rich, flavorful dish that’s perfect for a cozy dinner or a special occasion. With its creamy sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and tender chicken, it’s sure to impress everyone at the table. Whether you serve it over pasta, rice, or with a side of vegetables, this recipe is a guaranteed winner.
PrintMarry Me Chicken
- Author: Martha
Description
Marry Me Chicken is a creamy, flavorful dish that’s perfect for impressing guests or serving as a comforting meal at home. With tender chicken cutlets cooked in a rich, luscious sauce featuring sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan, this dish has earned its name because of its ability to win anyone over! It’s a simple yet elegant recipe that can be served over pasta, rice, or with a side of vegetables.
Ingredients
- 3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced into cutlets)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 6 tbsp all-purpose flour (for dredging)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp chili flakes
- ¼ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp thyme
- ⅓ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 tbsp fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Begin by slicing each chicken breast into cutlets to ensure even cooking. Season the chicken on both sides with ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper. Dredge each piece in all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess.
- Sear the Chicken:
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the floured chicken cutlets to the pan. Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until it’s golden brown and cooked through. Once seared, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
- Make the Garlic Sauce:
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, making sure not to burn the garlic. Then, pour in the chicken stock to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. These browned bits will add extra flavor to your sauce.
- Add the Creamy Elements:
- Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, chili flakes, dried oregano, and thyme. Let the sauce simmer over medium-low heat for about 5-6 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Incorporate the Sun-Dried Tomatoes:
- Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and let them heat through. Their sweet, tangy flavor adds a wonderful contrast to the creamy sauce.
- Combine the Chicken and Sauce:
- Return the seared chicken cutlets to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy sauce. Allow the chicken to simmer in the sauce for an additional 3-4 minutes, ensuring the chicken is heated through and fully coated in the flavorful sauce.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Garnish your Marry Me Chicken with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and added freshness. Serve hot over pasta, rice, or alongside vegetables.
Notes
- Be careful not to overcook the chicken. Cooking for 4-5 minutes per side should be enough for thin cutlets.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can let it simmer for a few extra minutes or stir in a slurry of cornstarch and water to thicken it further.
- Feel free to swap out the fresh basil with parsley or thyme for a different herbaceous note.