Introduction
“Marry Me Chicken” is a dish that lives up to its bold name—it’s incredibly rich, irresistibly savory, and guaranteed to impress even the most discerning palate. This recipe exploded in popularity across social media platforms for its perfect balance of tangy sun-dried tomatoes, sharp Parmesan cheese, and a luxurious, velvety cream sauce. While its exact origin is debated, it is often attributed to modern Italian-American fusion cuisine. Unlike complex slow-cooked meals, this chicken dish is remarkably quick, requiring less than 30 minutes from start to finish, making it the perfect choice for a weeknight dinner that tastes like a five-star restaurant experience.
Ingredients
- Chicken: 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 4 cutlets), sliced horizontally (approx. 600g)
- Seasoning: 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- Fats: 1 Tbsp olive oil, 1 Tbsp unsalted butter (15ml oil, 14g butter)
- Aromatics: 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Tomatoes: 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and chopped (approx. 75g)
- Liquid: 1/2 cup chicken broth (120ml)
- Dairy: 1 cup heavy cream (double cream) (240ml)
- Cheese: 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (approx. 50g)
- Garnish: Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional)
Step-by-step Preparation
- Prep and Sear the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts horizontally to create thinner cutlets. Pat them dry and season generously with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside on a plate.
- Build the Flavor Base: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the same skillet (using the residual fat). Sauté for about 60 seconds until the garlic is fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
- Create the Cream Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan (this adds immense flavor—a process called deglazing). Stir in the heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low.
- Thicken and Finish: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and the sauce begins to thicken slightly. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if necessary. Return the seared chicken cutlets to the pan, nestling them into the sauce. Simmer for 5–8 minutes, allowing the chicken to warm through and absorb the sauce’s flavor.
- Serve: Garnish generously with fresh basil or parsley before serving immediately.
Nutritional Information
Marry Me Chicken is a rich dish, high in protein and healthy fats. A typical serving (approximately 1/4 of the recipe, excluding sides) contains roughly 550–650 calories, 40g of fat, and over 45g of protein. The dish is an excellent source of lean protein from the chicken and provides Vitamin A and antioxidants from the sun-dried tomatoes. Due to the high cream and cheese content, it is naturally low in carbohydrates, making it suitable for low-carb or ketogenic diets.
Storage
Leftover Marry Me Chicken should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Cream-based sauces can sometimes split when reheated, especially in a microwave. For best results, reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk or extra chicken broth to restore the sauce’s smooth, creamy consistency. Freezing is not recommended as the dairy components will likely separate upon thawing.
Conclusion
This dish is an absolute showstopper that requires minimal effort. Marry Me Chicken pairs perfectly with simple sides that can soak up the incredible sauce. We recommend serving it over fettuccine or linguine pasta, creamy mashed potatoes, or alongside crusty artisan bread. For a lighter approach, serve it with steamed asparagus or a simple side salad. If you want a variation, try substituting chicken thighs for breasts for extra tenderness, or add a handful of fresh spinach at the same time you add the cream for a boost of color and nutrition.