Marry Me Chicken Recipe turns juicy chicken breasts and Italian herbs into a creamy sun dried tomato Parmesan showstopper that wins hearts at first bite.
author’s note
Why You’ll Fall Hard For Marry Me Chicken!
- Big flavor, little effort. Thirty minutes, one pan, restaurant vibes.
- Pantry staples save the day. No grocery run needed if you keep sun-dried tomatoes on hand.
- Dinner hero for every mood. Cozy date night, wow-the-in-laws meal, or busy-week night dinner.
- Crowd-pleaser record. I have never had more people ask me for one recipe than this creamy chicken.
Marry Me Chicken Recipe Ingredients
| Star Ingredient | Quick Tip |
|---|---|
| Sun-Dried Tomatoes in Oil | Use a splash of the tomato oil to sear the chicken so every drop of flavor stays in the pan. |
| Minced Garlic | Fresh-minced gives the best flavor, but jarred garlic works in a hurry. |
| Low-Sodium Chicken Broth | Balances salt levels while adding savory depth to the sauce. |
| Heavy Whipping Cream | Full-fat cream keeps the sauce thick and delicious—lighter swaps turn it thin. |
| Fresh-Grated Parmesan | Grate a block on the fine holes for the smoothest melt. |
| Dijon Mustard | Brings bright tang to the sauce; skip it if you prefer a milder flavor. |
| Red Pepper Flakes (optional) | Sprinkle in for gentle heat and adjust to your spice comfort. |
[/variations]
Flavor Twists
- Add crispy bacon pieces with the tomatoes for smoky depth.
- Wilt a handful of baby spinach right before the basil for a pop of green.
- Stir in sautéed mushrooms for a earthy flavor in this marry me chicken recipe.
- Drop your own spin in the comments, I’d love to give it a try![/variations]
Marry Me Chicken Recipe Make Ahead
Craving speed? Prep ahead and nail dinner in just 15 minutes.
- Butterfly, pound, and season the chicken up to 24 hours early. Store in the fridge.
- Combine cream, broth, Dijon, and Parmesan in a mason jar. Shake, label, and chill.
- At dinnertime sear chicken, shake sauce, pour, simmer, done. Fifteen-minute finish.
Serve Marry Me Chicken Recipe With:
- Creamy Pasta: Drain hot pasta, swirl it through the sauce, add a splash of pasta water, fold in diced chicken, twirl, enjoy.
- Sauce-Soaking Rice: Fluffy basmati or jasmine loves every drop.
- Potato Party: Mashed, roasted, or smashed potatoes make the perfect side.
- Bread: Warm baguette or crusty French loaf makes a skillet-clean sweep.
- Veggies: Roast asparagus, broccoli, or green beans for a fresh side.
- Fresh Salad: Toss a garden salad with lemon vinaigrette for a perfect side.
More Easy Chicken Dishes:
Marry Me Chicken Recipe
Marry Me Chicken Recipe features tender chicken in a creamy Parmesan sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil. It’s so delicious, it might just inspire a proposal!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts 2 even-sized breasts
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning divided
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil plus surrounding oil, see note 1
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth divided, see note 2
- 1 cup heavy cream see note 3
- 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese see note 4
- 2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 3/4 cup ribboned fresh basil .75 oz packet
Instructions
- Slice each chicken breast in half widthwise to create two thinner pieces. Pound lightly if necessary to ensure even thickness. Combine 1 tsp Italian seasoning with the salt and pepper and season one side of each chicken piece.
- Heat 2 tbsp of the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar in a large, heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. When hot, add the chicken, seasoned side down. Season the other side with the remaining seasoning mixture. Cook undisturbed for about 4 minutes, then flip and continue cooking for another 3–4 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F). Remove chicken from the pan and cover with foil to keep warm.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add another drizzle of sun-dried tomato oil (~1 tsp) and the garlic. Stir, but don’t let burn, about 10 seconds, then add 1/2 cup chicken broth. Stir, scraping up browned bits from pan. Let broth simmer for about 1 minute or until mostly evaporated. Add in remaining 1/2 cup broth, heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, red pepper flakes (optional—add to spice preference), remaining 1 tsp Italian seasoning, Dijon mustard, and Parmesan. Stir until cheese is melted and sauce is nicely thickened, about 2–4 minutes. Taste sauce, and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Stir through basil leaves, then add chicken (plus any reserved juices on the plate) to pan. Spoon sauce over chicken and serve immediately.
Video
Recipe Notes
Note 1: Opt for sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil with herbs instead of dry-packed. Use the oil to sauté the chicken for added flavor. Bonus: choose julienne-cut tomatoes to skip the chopping!
Note 2: Since we’ve seasoned the chicken, and Parmesan cheese naturally has a good amount of salt, using low-sodium chicken broth ensures this dish isn’t too salty.
Note 3: Heavy whipping cream heightens the dish’s flavor complexity and textural appeal. Lower-fat substitutes or non-dairy alternatives unfortunately won’t thicken properly in this dish.
Note 4: Use a block of Parmesan cheese and grate it on the small holes of a cheese grater. Gently pack it into your measuring cup. Avoid jarred Parmesan—it’s too salty and will overpower the flavor!
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 437kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 160mg | Sodium: 392mg | Potassium: 874mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1451IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 183mg | Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
FAQs
Why does the sauce look thin?
Simmer it for two extra minutes, or whisk in 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan to thicken.
The sauce broke after reheating. How can I bring it back together?
Take the pan off the heat and whisk in 1 teaspoon of cream until it turns smooth again.
Why did my chicken come out dry?
Stop cooking as soon as the thickest part reaches 165 °F; any higher and the meat starts to dry out.
Marry me chicken is one of my favorites, so I’ve tried a lot of recipes for it other the years. This one was hands-down the BEST!! Not too complex and tasted so good! After trying the dish, it’s now also become my mom’s favorite, and she’s requested it for dinner many nights since.
I am so excited to hear this! Thank you so much Shay!
Delicious and easy to make!
Thanks so much! 🙂