Marry Me Chicken Recipe: Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato and Parmesan


💍 Marry Me Chicken Recipe – Creamy, One-Pan Magic

One bite and you’ll understand the hype. This Marry Me Chicken recipe pairs tender pan-seared chicken with a luscious sun-dried tomato and Parmesan cream sauce. It’s an easy, one-pan dinner that feels indulgent while remaining affordable and quick to pull together.

PREP TIME
10 min
COOK TIME
25 min
TOTAL TIME
35 min
SERVINGS
4

Grilled chicken breast served over pasta with creamy garlic parmesan sauce and fresh basil garnish

✨ Jump to:

  • 💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
  • 🛒 Ingredients
  • 👩‍🍳 How to Make Marry Me Chicken
  • 💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown
  • ❓ Frequently Asked Questions
  • 💡 Expert Tips
  • 🍽️ Serving Suggestions
  • 📦 Storage Tips
  • 🖨️ Printable Recipe Card

💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • One-pan cooking for minimal cleanup
  • Rich, creamy sauce with bright sun-dried tomato flavor
  • Fast enough for weeknights, impressive enough for special occasions
  • Budget-friendly ingredients with a gourmet result

seasoned raw chicken breasts prep cutting board

🛒 Ingredients

  • 2–3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional, for dredging)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • ¼ cup finely diced shallot or onion
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • ¼ cup dry white wine (or 1–2 teaspoons lemon juice)
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼–½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

👩‍🍳 How to Make Marry Me Chicken

🍳 Recommended pan: a 12-inch oven-safe skillet (cast iron or heavy stainless). It gives a great sear and holds heat for an even sauce.
  1. Prep the chicken: Slice each breast in half horizontally to make thinner cutlets. Season both sides with salt and pepper. If you like a slightly thicker sauce and a crisper crust, lightly dredge the cutlets in flour and shake off the excess.
  2. Sear: Heat the olive oil and butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear 4–5 minutes per side until golden. Remove the chicken and set it aside. If using a thermometer, chicken is done at 165°F (74°C).
  3. Build flavor: Lower the heat to medium. Add the shallot and sauté 2–3 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Deglaze: Pour in the wine or lemon juice and scrape up the browned bits from the pan. Let it simmer 1–2 minutes to reduce slightly.
  5. Make the sauce: Add chicken broth, heavy cream, grated Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Stir and simmer 5–7 minutes until the sauce thickens a bit. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  6. Finish: Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon the sauce over each piece, and simmer 3–4 minutes until heated through and cooked. Garnish with chopped basil or parsley and serve hot.

Pan with onions and garlic being deglazed with liquid and bubbling


💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown for Marry Me Chicken

Ingredient Amount Used Used Cost
Chicken breasts 1.5 lbs $4.98
Olive oil 1 tbsp $0.11
Butter 1 tbsp $0.25
Shallot/Onion ¼ cup $0.25
Garlic 3 cloves $0.15
Chicken broth 1 cup $0.33
White wine ¼ cup $0.40
Heavy cream ¾ cup $1.12
Parmesan ⅓ cup $0.74
Sun-dried tomatoes ½ cup $1.24
Other spices & pantry $0.69
Total Recipe Cost $10.04
Cost Per Serving (4 servings) $2.51

Creamy marry me chicken in skillet with sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan sauce


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Marry Me Chicken

What is Marry Me Chicken?

Marry Me Chicken is a creamy, one-pan dish of pan-seared chicken simmered in a sun-dried tomato and Parmesan cream sauce. The name reflects how impressive the dish tastes despite being straightforward to prepare.

How long does it take?

About 10 minutes to prep and 25 minutes to cook — roughly 35 minutes total.

Can I use chicken thighs?

Yes. Boneless, skinless thighs stay juicier and are forgiving with cooking time. Bone-in thighs will require additional cooking time and should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Substitute for heavy cream?

Half-and-half will lighten the sauce. Full-fat coconut milk works as a dairy-free option. Avoid low-fat milk, which won’t thicken properly.

What to serve with it?

Serve the sauce over pasta (linguine or pappardelle), mashed potatoes, rice, or with crusty bread to soak up the sauce. A simple salad or roasted vegetables make great sides.

Can it be made ahead?

Yes — refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of cream or broth to bring the sauce back together.

Can you freeze it?

Freezing is not recommended; cream-based sauces can separate and become grainy after thawing.

Why might the sauce separate?

Too-high heat causes separation. Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer. If it breaks, remove from heat and stir in a small splash of cream or broth over low heat until it re-emulsifies.

Is it spicy?

The red pepper flakes add a mild warmth. Reduce or omit them if you prefer no spice, or increase for more heat.


💡 Expert Tips

  • Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for deeper flavor; drain most of the oil but keep a little for richness.
  • Always deglaze the pan — the browned bits add concentrated flavor to the sauce.
  • Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly than pre-shredded varieties.
  • Halve chicken breasts horizontally to ensure fast, even cooking without dry edges.
  • Use a meat thermometer to confirm the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

  • Pasta (linguine, fettuccine, or pappardelle)
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Steamed or seasoned rice
  • Crusty bread for spooning up the sauce
  • A simple green salad or roasted vegetables to balance the richness

📦 Storage Tips

  • Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of cream or broth; stir slowly to keep the sauce smooth.
  • Freezer: Not recommended due to sauce separation.

Marry Me Chicken Printable Recipe Card 🖨️

Marry Me Chicken (Creamy Garlic Parmesan)

Servings: 4 | Total time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2–3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (optional)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • ¼ cup finely diced shallot or onion
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • ¼ cup dry white wine or 1–2 tsp lemon juice
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan
  • ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed)
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ¼–½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Slice chicken breasts horizontally into thinner cutlets. Season with salt and pepper. Dredge lightly in flour if using.
  2. Heat oil and butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Sauté shallot 2–3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds.
  4. Deglaze the pan with wine or lemon juice, scraping up browned bits. Simmer 1–2 minutes.
  5. Add broth, cream, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and seasonings. Simmer 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened.
  6. Return chicken to the skillet, spoon sauce over, and simmer 3–4 minutes until cooked through (165°F).
  7. Garnish with basil or parsley and serve immediately.

Equipment

  • 12-inch skillet (cast iron or heavy stainless)
  • Tongs
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Knife and cutting board

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smoother sauce. Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer to prevent separation. Chicken thighs can be substituted for breasts if preferred.

Nutrition (approx.)

Calories per serving: 450 kcal | Protein: 32 g | Fat: 28 g | Carbs: 16 g

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