Quick & Tasty Marry Me Chicken Recipe: Flavorful, Creamy, and Perfect for Weeknights

If you’ve ever wanted a restaurant-quality chicken dinner at home, the Quick & Tasty Marry Me Chicken recipe delivers. Tender chicken breasts in a creamy, garlicky sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan cheese make this dish both decadent and approachable. It’s called “Marry Me Chicken” for a reason — one bite and it might just win over everyone at your table. Best of all, this recipe is fast, easy, and perfect for weeknight dinners or date nights at home.


Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Restaurant-quality flavors: Rich, creamy sauce with garlic and Parmesan.
  • Quick and easy: Ready in about 30 minutes.
  • One-skillet cooking: Minimal cleanup without sacrificing flavor.
  • Customizable: Adjust spices or add vegetables to your liking.
  • Impressive presentation: Looks elegant on the plate without effort.

Quick & Tasty Marry Me Chicken

Rich, creamy chicken breasts in a garlicky Parmesan sauce with sun-dried tomatoes 🍗🧄🧀. Fast, elegant, and perfect for weeknight dinners or date nights at home!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Dish
Cuisine: Comfort Food, Italian-American
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
Sauce & Flavorings
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp dried Italian herbs or mix of basil, oregano, thyme
  • red pepper flakes optional for a slight kick
  • fresh parsley chopped for garnish

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Meat thermometer
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Spoon or spatula

Method
 

  1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  2. Reduce heat to medium, add butter, and sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add sun-dried tomatoes and cook 1–2 minutes.
  3. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir in Parmesan, Italian herbs, and optional red pepper flakes. Simmer 3–5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  4. Return chicken to skillet, spoon sauce over it, and simmer 2–3 minutes to meld flavors.
  5. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve over pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables.

Notes

Quick & Tasty Marry Me Chicken is a fast, flavorful dish perfect for weeknights or date nights. Make-ahead options, variations with spinach or mushrooms, and pasta twists make it versatile and crowd-pleasing.

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (or a mix of basil, oregano, thyme)
  • Red pepper flakes, optional for a slight kick
  • Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare and Sear the Chicken

Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F / 74°C). Remove chicken and set aside.

2. Make the Sauce

Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet. Sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 1–2 minutes.

3. Add Cream and Broth

Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir in Parmesan cheese, Italian herbs, and red pepper flakes if using. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

4. Return Chicken to the Skillet

Place the seared chicken breasts back into the sauce. Spoon sauce over the chicken and let simmer for 2–3 minutes to meld the flavors.

5. Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving. Serve over pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables to soak up the creamy sauce.


Tips for Success

  • Evenly sized chicken breasts: Ensures uniform cooking. Pound thicker breasts slightly if needed.
  • Don’t overcook the chicken: Use a meat thermometer or slice into the thickest part to check doneness.
  • Sauce consistency: If too thick, add a splash of chicken broth; if too thin, simmer a few more minutes.
  • Sun-dried tomatoes: Oil-packed varieties add more flavor; drain excess oil if necessary.
  • Make it spicy: Add extra red pepper flakes for a bold flavor.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve over linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti for a pasta dinner.
  • Pair with mashed potatoes or creamy polenta for comfort food vibes.
  • Add steamed vegetables or a side salad for a balanced meal.
  • Garnish with fresh basil or arugula for extra freshness.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

  • Prepare sauce ahead: The creamy tomato sauce can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for 2 days.
  • Cooked chicken storage: Keep leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Freezing: Freeze the cooked chicken and sauce separately for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
  • Reheating: Gently reheat on the stovetop over low heat to maintain sauce creaminess.

Why This Recipe Works

The Quick & Tasty Marry Me Chicken works because it balances juicy chicken breasts with a rich, flavorful sauce that is creamy, garlicky, and slightly tangy from sun-dried tomatoes. Searing the chicken first locks in juices while creating a golden crust. Simmering in the sauce allows the flavors to meld, giving the dish a luxurious taste that feels fancy but is incredibly easy to make.

The combination of Parmesan cheese, heavy cream, and Italian herbs creates a velvety texture and depth of flavor. Minimal ingredients, simple technique, and quick cooking time make this recipe approachable for both beginner and experienced home cooks.


Variations to Try

  • Add spinach or mushrooms: Stir in fresh spinach or sautéed mushrooms for extra vegetables.
  • Pasta twist: Toss cooked pasta directly in the sauce for a complete one-pan meal.
  • Lighter version: Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream or use Greek yogurt to reduce calories.
  • Spicy Marry Me Chicken: Add cayenne pepper or more red pepper flakes.
  • Sun-dried tomato pesto: Replace tomatoes with a spoonful of sun-dried tomato pesto for a flavor boost.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes! Thighs stay extra juicy. Adjust cooking time as needed.

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! Prepare sauce and chicken in advance and reheat when needed.

Can I make it dairy-free?
Yes, use coconut cream or a dairy-free cream substitute and skip the Parmesan or use a vegan version.

How spicy is this dish?
Mild by default, but you can add extra red pepper flakes to taste.

Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Serve with gluten-free pasta or rice.


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