If food could flirt, this would be the one sending heart eyes your way from across the table. “Marry Me Chicken” is that internet-famous dish people swear has romantic superpowers — juicy chicken simmered in a sun-dried tomato cream sauce that somehow tastes like you spent all day cooking when you definitely didn’t.
It’s rich but balanced, creamy but not cloying, and best of all, it’s made in one skillet. I can’t promise a proposal, but I can promise you’ll want to lick the pan (no judgment here).
🎯 QUICK FACTS
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Difficulty: Date-night easy
📝 INGREDIENTS
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs if you want extra juiciness)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For That Creamy, Dreamy Sauce:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (in oil, drained and chopped)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (plus more for garnish)
🌱 VEGAN & FLEXIBLE SWAPS
- Use vegan chicken cutlets or crispy tofu slices instead of chicken.
- Swap heavy cream for coconut cream or cashew cream (same luscious texture).
- Replace Parmesan with nutritional yeast or a vegan parm alternative.
- Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
→ The sauce stays silky and indulgent, just with plant-based flair.
👩🍳 HOW TO MAKE IT
Step 1. Prep the chicken.
Pat your chicken dry (this helps with browning). Season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika.
Step 2. Get that golden sear.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add the chicken and cook 4–5 minutes per side until golden and mostly cooked through. Don’t overcrowd the pan — let it breathe. Once done, set the chicken aside.
Step 3. The sauce moment.
In the same pan (don’t clean it — those golden bits are flavor gold), lower the heat a bit and add garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Toss in the sun-dried tomatoes and let them sizzle for a minute.
Pour in the broth, scraping up all the browned bits. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes, reducing slightly.
Now stir in the cream, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Watch it come together into a creamy, glossy sauce. Taste and adjust — maybe it needs a pinch more salt, maybe a little extra cheese. You’re the boss.
Step 4. Reunite the stars.
Add the chicken back into the skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Spoon some of that goodness over each piece. Simmer gently for 5–7 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce thickens beautifully.
Step 5. Serve & impress.
Sprinkle with fresh basil and more Parmesan if you’re feeling extra. Serve it over pasta, mashed potatoes, or even rice. It’s the kind of sauce that deserves something to soak it up.
📊 TIPS & VARIATIONS
- Make it dairy-free: Use coconut cream — the faint sweetness actually plays really well with the tangy sun-dried tomatoes.
- Add veggies: Spinach, mushrooms, or roasted cherry tomatoes turn this into a full meal.
- For a lighter sauce: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, or even oat cream for a vegan twist.
- Want it spicier? Add a pinch more red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce.
❓ READER QUESTIONS
Q: Can I make it ahead?
You can, but it’s best fresh. If you do, keep the sauce separate — it’ll thicken in the fridge, so thin it out with a splash of broth when reheating.
Q: Can I bake it instead of using the stove?
Yes! Sear the chicken, then bake everything in a covered dish at 375°F for about 20 minutes. The sauce thickens perfectly.
Q: Can I use thighs instead?
Absolutely. They’re juicier and nearly impossible to overcook. Just adjust the cook time a bit — closer to 30 minutes total.
🍽️ PAIR IT WITH
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Buttered noodles
- Roasted asparagus or green beans
- A glass of white wine (Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio pairs beautifully)
✨ FINAL THOUGHT
“Marry Me Chicken” may sound dramatic, but it’s kind of earned the hype. There’s something about that combination of creamy sauce, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and tender chicken that just… works. It’s the dish you make when you want to impress without trying too hard — the kind that gets people quiet mid-bite because they’re too busy falling in love (with dinner, maybe with you).
