The Ultimate Creamy Marry Me Chicken Recipe

Are you looking for a recipe so delightfully decadent it might just inspire a grand romantic gesture? A meal that feels celebratory and special, yet is surprisingly straightforward to prepare on any given weeknight? If so, you’re in the right place. We’re delighted to share our sensational and utterly irresistible Creamy Marry Me Chicken Recipe, a dish destined to make anyone who tastes it fall head over heels.

This dish perfectly balances comfort with sophistication, and it all comes together in a single pan. It showcases tender, golden-brown chicken fillets enveloped in a rich, velvety cream sauce. This sauce is a true work of art, elevated by the sweet and tangy notes of sun-dried tomatoes, a gentle warmth from garlic, and an aromatic mix of Italian herbs. It’s a guaranteed favourite that tastes as if it’s been prepared in a fine Italian restaurant, yet is simple enough for any home cook to perfect.

What is Marry Me Chicken?

The charming story behind the name “Marry Me Chicken” suggests that the dish is so delicious, it could prompt a marriage proposal from anyone you serve it to! While we can’t promise a ring, we can certainly guarantee an exceptional meal. This recipe soared to fame online thanks to its phenomenal flavour and remarkably simple cooking process. At its core, it is a fantastic take on an Italian inspired chicken dish, using a handful of quality ingredients to create something truly extraordinary. The essential elements are always pan-fried chicken and a sublime cream sauce, and our version strikes the perfect harmony of flavours for an unforgettable dining experience.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Exceptional Flavour, Made at Home: The blend of sun-dried tomatoes, double cream, Parmesan, and herbs results in a sauce that is profoundly savoury, opulent, and completely moreish. It’s a five-star dining experience from the comfort of your own kitchen.
• Effortless One-Pan Cooking: We always appreciate a recipe that keeps the washing up to a minimum! Everything, from searing the chicken to simmering the sauce, is done in one pan, allowing all the wonderful flavours to meld together beautifully.
• Ready in Under 40 Minutes: Despite its impressive taste and presentation, this meal comes together with remarkable speed, making it an ideal choice for a special weeknight dinner or a spontaneous date night.
• Wonderfully Versatile: This chicken is absolutely divine served with pasta, creamy mashed potatoes, or a side of simple steamed vegetables. You can easily adjust it to your personal preferences or the ingredients you have on hand.
• Suits Any Special Occasion: Whether you are planning a romantic meal for two, celebrating an anniversary, or simply wish to treat your family, this recipe is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Ingredients

• 4 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 600g total)
• 50g plain flour
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
• 120ml chicken stock
• 250ml double cream
• 90g sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and roughly chopped
• 50g grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Perfect Creamy Marry Me Chicken Recipe

Creating this dish is a very manageable process. We have outlined it in clear, simple steps to help you achieve a flawless result every time. Find your favourite large, oven-safe frying pan, and let’s begin!

1. Prepare the Chicken

   First and foremost, let’s get the chicken ready for cooking. If you find your chicken breasts are on the thicker side, we recommend slicing them in half horizontally to make thinner escalopes. This ensures they cook faster and more evenly. In a shallow dish or on a plate, combine the plain flour, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Lightly coat each piece of chicken in this seasoned flour, tapping off any excess. This thin coating is the secret to a lovely golden crust and will also help to thicken the sauce later.

2. Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection

   Heat a large, heavy-bottomed frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and butter. Once the butter is melted and starts to foam, gently lay the flour-dusted chicken breasts in the pan. Avoid overcrowding the pan; it’s better to cook in two batches if needed. Fry the chicken for approximately 4-5 minutes per side, or until it is a beautiful golden-brown colour and cooked all the way through. The exact cooking time will vary based on the thickness of the chicken. When done, transfer the chicken from the pan to a plate and set it aside.

3. Build the Glorious Cream Sauce

   Now, it’s time to create the heart of our dish. In the same frying pan, turn the heat down to medium. You’ll notice some tasty brown bits stuck to the bottom; this is called ‘fond’, and it’s packed with flavour! Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if you’re using them) and cook for around 30 seconds until aromatic, taking care not to let the garlic scorch.

   Next, pour in the chicken stock to deglaze the pan. Use a wooden spoon to gently scrape up all those flavourful browned bits from the base. Allow the stock to simmer and reduce by about half, which will intensify the flavour and create the foundation for our magnificent cream sauce chicken.

4. Simmer to Perfection

   Pour in the double cream, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and grated Parmesan cheese. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for a couple of minutes, stirring now and then, until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce has begun to thicken. At this point, your kitchen will be filled with the most incredible aroma. Have a taste of the sauce and add a little more salt and pepper if you think it needs it.

   To finish, return the golden chicken breasts to the pan, nestling them down into the creamy sauce. Spoon a little of the sauce over the chicken. Let everything simmer together for a further 2-3 minutes, which will warm the chicken through and allow it to absorb the flavours of the sauce. Right before you serve, stir through the fresh basil. This final addition introduces a lovely freshness that beautifully cuts through the richness.

Tips for Success

To ensure your Marry Me Chicken is truly unforgettable, we’ve put together some of our best tips:

• The Importance of a Golden Sear: Searing the chicken until it develops a deep, golden-brown crust is essential. This step builds a huge amount of flavour and adds a wonderful texture to the finished dish.
• Choose Oil-Packed Sun-Dried Tomatoes: These tend to be more succulent and flavourful than their dry-packed counterparts. For an extra layer of flavour, you can even use a spoonful of the oil from the jar to fry the chicken.
• The Power of Fresh Herbs: While dried herbs are great for seasoning the flour, finishing the dish with fresh basil and parsley truly elevates it, adding a bright, aromatic lift.
• Ensure It’s Perfectly Cooked: The most reliable way to know if your chicken is cooked is by using a meat thermometer. The UK’s Food Standards Agency advises that chicken should reach a core temperature of 75°C to be safe to eat.

Serving Suggestions

This remarkable dish is incredibly adaptable. Its rich, creamy sauce is practically begging to be mopped up, so we suggest pairing it with something that can do just that. It makes for a truly wonderful romantic chicken dinner when served with the right accompaniments.

• Pasta: Delicious spooned over a tangle of tagliatelle, pappardelle, or penne. If you enjoy creamy chicken and pasta, you may also love our Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe.
• Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are a classic choice and a match made in heaven. Roasted new potatoes or even fluffy gnocchi would also work beautifully.
• Bread: A loaf of warm, crusty bread or some garlic bread is a must for soaking up every last bit of that amazing sauce.
• Vegetables: To cut through the richness, serve with simple steamed or roasted greens like asparagus, tenderstem broccoli, or fine green beans.

For another superb Italian-inspired chicken dish, why not give our fresh and zesty Bruschetta Chicken a try?

FAQ

A Dish Worthy of Any Celebration

So there you have it – our complete guide to creating the most delectable Sun-dried tomato chicken you will ever have the pleasure of eating. This Creamy Marry Me Chicken Recipe is so much more than just a meal; it’s a culinary experience. It is the kind of comforting, heart-warming food that helps create lasting memories and makes any dinner feel like a special occasion.

Whether your goal is a proposal or you simply wish to make a meal that will be remembered for weeks to come, this recipe is your key to success. It stands as proof that you don’t need complex cooking methods or to spend hours in the kitchen to produce something truly magnificent.

We are so excited for you to try this recipe! If you do give it a go, we would love to hear how it went. Please leave a comment and a rating below – we always enjoy hearing from you!

Recipe Card

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 50g plain flour, 1 tsp oregano, salt & pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 120ml chicken stock
• 250ml double cream
• 90g sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 50g grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil and parsley

Instructions

1. Coat chicken breasts in seasoned flour (flour, oregano, salt, pepper).
2. Sear chicken in olive oil and butter for 4-5 mins per side until golden. Remove from pan.
3. Sauté minced garlic in the same pan. Deglaze with chicken stock, scraping up browned bits.
4. Stir in double cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan. Simmer until thickened.
5. Return chicken to the pan, simmer for 2-3 mins. Stir in fresh basil before serving.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 750, Carbs: 12g, Protein: 55g, Fat: 52g