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Marry Me Chicken

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Marry Me Chicken is a creamy skillet dinner featuring seared chicken breasts enveloped in a rich parmesan and sun-dried tomato sauce. This comforting weeknight meal is easy enough for busy days, yet impressive enough to serve to guests. The velvety sauce, packed with garlic, oregano, and a kick of red pepper, makes this dish unforgettable.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 485
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 3–4 large breasts
  • salt to taste
  • freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or other neutral oil
For the Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup grated fresh parmesan cheese at room temperature
  • 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes preferably packed in oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano more or less to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes more or less to taste
For Serving (Optional)
  • chiffonaded fresh basil for serving
  • grated fresh parmesan cheese for serving

Equipment

  • Large oven-safe skillet
  • Cutting board
  • Meat mallet or rolling pin
  • Paper towels
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Whisk
  • Plate

Method
 

  1. Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts and place them on a cutting board. Pound each breast until all pieces are even in thickness.
  2. Use paper towels to pat the chicken dry on all sides. Generously season both sides of the breasts with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the olive oil and swirl it to coat the surface.
  4. Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the hot skillet. Sear for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until they develop light golden spots. When both sides are browned, transfer the chicken to a plate. The chicken will not be fully cooked at this stage.
  5. Do not drain the skillet. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C), adjusting racks as needed to allow your skillet to sit in the oven's center.
  6. Return the skillet to the stovetop and lower the heat to medium-low. Once the pan is slightly cooled, add minced garlic and sauté, stirring frequently, for 30 to 60 seconds until just fragrant.
  7. Pour in the chicken broth. Stir, scraping up any browned bits from the pan's bottom to incorporate them into the liquid.
  8. Transfer the skillet to a cool burner and let it rest for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the temperature to drop slightly.
  9. Add heavy cream to the pan and whisk until it's well mixed with the broth.
  10. Gradually sprinkle grated parmesan into the skillet, whisking until the cheese fully melts into the sauce.
  11. Return the skillet to medium-low heat. Stir the sauce for another 1 to 2 minutes until it's back up to temperature.
  12. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix until the sauce is evenly combined, then taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  13. Raise the heat to medium-high and bring the sauce to a slow simmer, stirring occasionally.
  14. Once the sauce simmers, return the chicken breasts to the skillet. Turn each breast several times to coat thoroughly with the sauce.
  15. When the chicken is coated well, transfer the skillet to the preheated oven.

Nutrition

Calories: 485kcal

Notes

For best results, grate parmesan cheese fresh rather than using pre-grated, as it will melt more smoothly into the sauce. If swapping chicken thighs for breasts, note that they may need slightly longer in the oven. To make the dish dairy-free, try substituting full-fat coconut milk for cream and nutritional yeast for parmesan. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days; gently reheat in a skillet with a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce. Marry Me Chicken is naturally gluten-free as written—just check your specific brands of broth and sun-dried tomatoes to ensure no hidden additives. The sauce thickens as it sits, so it’s delicious spooned over pasta, potatoes, or served with crusty bread for soaking up every drop.

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