Marry Me Chicken Recipe

Are you looking for a chicken dish that will wow your partner? Do you want to make a creamy, flavorful, and easy meal in less than 30 minutes? If so, you need to try this Marry Me Chicken Recipe! It’s said that this chicken is so good that it will make your partner propose to you. Whether that’s true or not, I can guarantee that this chicken will make you fall in love with it. You can serve it with pasta, rice, or bread, and some salad or veggies on the side. Trust me, this chicken will make you say “I do!”

Ingredients

To make this Marry Me Chicken Recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

  • 3 chicken breasts, sliced into cutlets
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

Each ingredient plays an important role in this dish. Here’s why:

  • Chicken breasts are the main protein source, and they’re sliced into cutlets to cook faster and more evenly.
  • Salt and pepper add flavor and seasoning to the chicken and the sauce.
  • Flour helps to create a crispy crust on the chicken and also thickens the sauce.
  • Olive oil and butter provide fat and moisture to the chicken and the sauce, and also enhance the flavor.
  • Garlic adds a punch of aroma and taste to the sauce, and complements the other ingredients well.
  • Chicken broth deglazes the pan and adds some liquid to the sauce.
  • Heavy cream and parmesan cheese make the sauce creamy, rich, and cheesy, and balance the acidity of the sun-dried tomatoes.
  • Sun-dried tomatoes add a burst of color, texture, and sweetness to the dish, and contrast with the spiciness of the red pepper flakes.
  • Red pepper flakes add some heat and spice to the dish, and make it more exciting.
  • Oregano and thyme add some herbaceous notes and freshness to the dish, and round up the flavors.

Preparation

Before you start cooking, you need to prepare the chicken breasts. Here’s how:

  • Rinse the chicken breasts and pat them dry with paper towels.
  • Slice each chicken breast horizontally into two thin pieces, creating six cutlets in total.
  • Season both sides of each cutlet with salt and pepper, to your liking.
  • Place the flour in a shallow dish or a ziplock bag, and coat each cutlet with flour, shaking off the excess.

Cooking

To cook this Marry Me Chicken Recipe, you need to follow these steps:

  • Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, until hot and bubbly.
  • Add the chicken cutlets and cook for about 4 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
  • In the same skillet, add the garlic, oregano, and thyme, and sauté for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant, stirring constantly.
  • Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan, using a wooden spoon or a spatula.
  • Add the heavy cream, parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and red pepper flakes, and whisk to combine. Bring the sauce to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
  • Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon some sauce over each cutlet. Simmer for another 5 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through and the sauce is bubbly.

Here are some tips to make the best Marry Me Chicken:

  • Don’t overcook the chicken, as it will become dry and tough. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should be 165°F (74°C) for chicken.
  • If the sauce is too thin, you can add more cheese or flour to thicken it. If the sauce is too thick, you can add more broth or cream to thin it.
  • Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more salt, pepper, garlic, cheese, or red pepper flakes, depending on your preference.

Serving Suggestions

This Marry Me Chicken Recipe is a complete meal on its own, but you can also serve it with some side dishes to make it even more satisfying. Here are some ideas:

  • Pasta: You can serve this chicken with any kind of pasta that you like, such as spaghetti, fettuccine, penne, or bowtie. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, and toss it with some of the sauce from the chicken. Sprinkle some extra cheese on top, if desired.
  • Rice: You can serve this chicken with white, brown, or wild rice, or even quinoa or couscous. Cook the rice according to the package directions, and fluff it with a fork. Spoon some of the sauce over the rice, and enjoy.
  • Bread: You can serve this chicken with some crusty bread, such as French baguette, ciabatta, or sourdough. Toast the bread lightly, and use it to dip into the sauce, or make a sandwich with the chicken and the sauce.
  • Salad: You can serve this chicken with a fresh green salad, such as lettuce, spinach, arugula, or kale. Toss the salad with your favorite dressing, such as balsamic vinaigrette, ranch, or Caesar. Add some toppings, such as cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, or nuts, for extra crunch and flavor.
  • Veggies: You can serve this chicken with some roasted, steamed, or grilled veggies, such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, or zucchini. Season the veggies with some salt, pepper, garlic, and herbs, and drizzle some olive oil or butter over them.

Leftovers about Marry Me Chicken Recipe 

If you have any leftovers from this Marry Me Chicken Recipe, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, you can microwave them in a microwave-safe dish, covered with a damp paper towel, for a few minutes, or until hot. You can also reheat them in a skillet over low-medium heat, stirring occasionally, until hot and bubbly. You may need to add some water, broth, or cream to thin out the sauce, if it’s too thick.

Variations and Adaptations

  • Gluten-Free: The only swap you’ll need to make is to use cornflour, instead of flour and also, some chicken broth options at the market may contain gluten in their preservatives and seasonings. Double-check the brand of chicken stock before purchasing it1.
  • Dairy-Free: You can make this dish dairy-free by using a plant-based cream cheese, such as Kite Hill or Miyoko’s, and a dairy-free milk, such as almond or oat. You can also use nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan cheese for the cheesy flavor.
  • Paleo/Whole30: To make this dish paleo-friendly and Whole30-compliant, you’ll need to skip the flour, cheese, and cream. Instead, you can use arrowroot starch to coat the chicken and thicken the sauce. You can also use coconut cream or cashew cream for the creamy texture and add some lemon juice for the tanginess.
  • Slow Cooker: You can make this dish in a slow cooker for an easy and hands-off meal. Simply place the chicken breasts, broth, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. Then, stir in the cream cheese and parmesan cheese and cook for another 15 minutes until melted and smooth. You can also add some cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce if needed.
  • Party/Cookout: This dish is great for parties and cookouts, as it can feed a crowd and can be made ahead of time. You can double or triple the recipe and bake it in a large casserole dish in the oven. You can also keep it warm in a slow cooker or a chafing dish. Serve it with some crusty bread, pasta, or rice and a green salad for a complete meal.

FAQ

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, you can microwave them in a microwave-safe dish or heat them in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. You may need to add some water or broth to thin out the sauce if it’s too thick.

Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of sun-dried tomatoes?

Yes, you can use fresh tomatoes if you prefer. However, sun-dried tomatoes have a more concentrated and intense flavor than fresh tomatoes, so you may need to adjust the seasoning accordingly. You can also use cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, or diced tomatoes for this recipe.

What can I serve with Marry Me Chicken?

Marry Me Chicken goes well with many side dishes, such as pasta, rice, bread, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, green beans, asparagus, broccoli, or salad. You can also serve it with some wine, such as Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, or Sauvignon Blanc, for a special occasion.