Imagine sinking your teeth into tender, juicy chicken bathed in a creamy, sun-dried tomato sauce, infused with garlic and herbs – a flavor explosion so captivating, it might just inspire a proposal! This is Marry Me Chicken, and I promise, this recipe is so easy and outrageously delicious, you’ll be making it all the time.
What You’ll Need: The Marry Me Chicken Ingredients
Chicken and Seasonings:
- Chicken Breasts: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
- Salt: 1 teaspoon, or to taste
- Black Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon, or to taste
- Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon
- Garlic Powder: 1/2 teaspoon
The Creamy Tuscan Sauce:
- Butter: 2 tablespoons
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: 1/2 cup, oil-packed, drained
- Chicken Broth: 1/2 cup
- Heavy Cream: 1 cup
- Parmesan Cheese: 1/2 cup, grated
- Red Pepper Flakes: 1/4 teaspoon (optional, for a little heat)
- Fresh Basil: 1/4 cup, chopped
Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step Instructions
Getting Started:
- Prep the Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness (about 1/2 inch). This helps them cook evenly. You can use a meat mallet or even a rolling pin. Season both sides with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Making the Magical Sauce:
- Sauté the Aromatics: Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. This adds tons of flavor!
- Create the Creamy Base: Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Combine and Finish: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet and nestle them into the sauce. Spoon the sauce over the chicken to coat. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through and the sauce is bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with fresh basil before serving.
Troubleshooting Tips & Tricks (Because We’ve All Been There!)
Chicken Concerns:
- Dry Chicken: Overcooking is the enemy! Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Pounding the chicken to an even thickness also helps it cook more evenly and prevents dry spots.
- Uneven Cooking: If your chicken breasts are very thick, consider butterflying them (slicing them horizontally in half) before cooking. This will ensure they cook through quickly and evenly.
Sauce Snafus:
- Thin Sauce: If the sauce isn’t thickening, let it simmer for a few more minutes. You can also add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water) to help thicken it up.
- Sauce Too Thick: If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or heavy cream to thin it out.
- Separated Sauce: Sometimes, heavy cream can separate if it’s cooked at too high of a temperature. Make sure to keep the heat at low and simmer gently.
Variations: Let’s Get Creative!
Spice It Up:
- Add More Heat: Increase the amount of red pepper flakes, or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
- Use Different Peppers: Try adding roasted red peppers or banana peppers to the sauce for a unique flavor.
Add Some Veggies:
- Spinach: Stir in a handful of fresh spinach during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Mushrooms: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. For another amazing mushroom chicken option, try our Garlic Butter Mushroom Chicken.
Make it Cheesy:
- Mozzarella: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the chicken during the last few minutes of cooking and broil until melted and bubbly.
- Other Cheeses: Try using a blend of Parmesan and Asiago cheese for a more complex flavor.
Serving Suggestions: The Perfect Pairings
Pasta Perfection:
- Linguine or Fettuccine: Serve the Marry Me Chicken over a bed of your favorite pasta. Toss the pasta with the creamy sauce for an extra-delicious experience. Don’t forget to check out Marry Me Chicken Pasta and Marry Me Chicken Pasta for more inspiration.
- Zoodles: For a low-carb option, serve the chicken over zucchini noodles (zoodles).
Sides That Shine:
- Roasted Vegetables: Roasted asparagus, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts make a healthy and flavorful side dish.
- Garlic Bread: Crusty garlic bread is perfect for soaking up all that delicious sauce.
- Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the chicken.
Make Ahead & Storage: Planning is Key!
Make Ahead:
- Prep the Ingredients: You can chop the vegetables, grate the cheese, and measure out the spices ahead of time.
- Sear the Chicken: You can sear the chicken breasts up to a day in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Just reheat them in the sauce before serving.
Storage:
- Refrigerate: Store leftover Marry Me Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheat: Reheat the chicken in a skillet over medium heat, or in the microwave. Add a splash of chicken broth or heavy cream if the sauce has thickened too much.
Other Recipes You Might Love: Expand Your Culinary Horizons
- Craving something comforting? Our Chicken Casserole Recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
- Looking for a healthy and flavorful dish? Try our Chicken Florentine Recipe.
- For a cozy and heartwarming meal, you’ll adore our Marry Me Chicken Soup.
Final Thoughts: Enjoy the Journey!
And there you have it – your guide to creating the famous Marry Me Chicken! I hope this recipe brings you as much joy as it has brought to countless others. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different variations and make it your own. Happy cooking, my friend, and may your kitchen adventures always be filled with deliciousness!
What can I do to prevent the chicken from becoming dry?
To prevent dry chicken, use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Pounding the chicken to an even thickness also helps it cook more evenly and prevents dry spots.
My sauce is too thin, how can I thicken it?
If the sauce isn’t thickening, let it simmer for a few more minutes. You can also add a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water) to help thicken it up.
Can I prepare parts of this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can chop the vegetables, grate the cheese, and measure out the spices ahead of time. You can also sear the chicken breasts up to a day in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Just reheat them in the sauce before serving.
What are some serving suggestions for Marry Me Chicken?
Marry Me Chicken can be served over linguine or fettuccine, or for a low-carb option, zucchini noodles. Good side dishes include roasted vegetables, garlic bread, or a simple green salad.
Easy Marry Me Chicken
This Easy Marry Me Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts in a creamy, flavorful sun-dried tomato sauce. It’s a simple yet impressive dish perfect for a special occasion or a comforting weeknight meal, guaranteed to impress!
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness (about 1/2 inch). Season both sides with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes (if using). Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Return the chicken breasts to the skillet and nestle them into the sauce. Spoon the sauce over the chicken to coat. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through and the sauce is bubbly.
- Sprinkle with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
For dry chicken, use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). To spice it up, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce. You can store leftover Marry Me Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat, or in the microwave. Add a splash of chicken broth or heavy cream if the sauce has thickened too much.
