Marry Me Chicken

This viral Marry Me Chicken isn’t just a cute name—it’s a foolproof recipe that masterfully balances rich, comforting flavors with effortless preparation. If you love quick, saucy, melt-in-your-mouth chicken dishes, this is the recipe you’ll want to commit to forever. (I do! 😍)

Just one bite of this creamy, garlicky, sun-dried tomato masterpiece, and you’ll be searching for a ring.  Succulent chicken in a luxe sauce—restaurant-worthy in just under half an hour. (30 minutes = flavor that lasts a lifetime. 💍)

Marry Me Chicken

This dish went viral on social media as a “romantic dinner” trend. The exact origin of Marry Me Chicken is a bit fuzzy (just like many viral recipes). There’s no single creator—it evolved from home cooks riffing on creamy chicken dishes, the catchy name came later, purely for shareability (and it absolutely worked!).

The recipe’s popularity has since spawned endless twists—from Marry Me Shrimp Pasta, Marry Me Salmon, Marry Me Chickpeas, even Marry Me Tortellini. While the original creator remains a mystery, but one thing is certain This dish draws from creamy Tuscan-style chicken, then takes it further with a heavier and creamier sauce—the very essence of Italian-American comfort food at its finest. 😉

What You Will Need

Ingredient List

This one-pan wonder requires just simple, easy-to-find ingredients from your local supermarket. The recipe serves 5-6 portion.

• Chicken: I recommend using chicken thigh fillets for this recipe, as they stay juicier, but boneless, skinless chicken breasts work well too. Whichever you choose, ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer – chicken breast cooks faster and can dry out more easily than thighs.
• Sun-dried tomatoes⭐: Opt for oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes – they’re the secret weapon in your flavor arsenal. These tender, ready-to-use tomatoes come infused with herbs and garlic, blending seamlessly into the creamy sauce while adding luxurious depth (we’ll use their fragrant oil for sautéing!).
• Vegetable or chicken broth: Low-sodium broth is preferred.
• Heavy cream: For a luxuriously smooth sauce, heavy cream (36-40% fat) is essential – its high fat content prevents curdling when simmered. While light cream or half-and-half may separate, for a dairy-free alternative, full-fat coconut cream works beautifully (note: it will impart a delicate sweetness).
• Seasonings: Tomato paste, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, dried oregano, salt and pepper to taste.
• Red chili flakes: We add just a pinch of chili flakes for gentle warmth – not enough to make the dish spicy. If you prefer zero heat, you can leave it out entirely without affecting the overall flavor.
• Parsley: For the perfect finishing touch, I love using coarsely chopped parsley – its fresh, vibrant flavor lifts the entire dish. That said, feel free to swap in basil or any of your favorite herbs to make it your own!

How To Make

Instruction

1. Heat 1 tbsp sun-dried tomato oil in a large cast-iron pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken thigh with salt and pepper, then sauté for 3-4 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
   
2. Reduce heat to low. In the same pan, add 1 tbsp sun-dried tomato oil and minced garlic, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any flavorful browned bits. Increase heat to medium, then stir in heavy cream, Italian seasoning, dried oregano, sun-dried tomatoes, and tomato paste, and mix well.

3. Return the cooked chicken to the pan or skillet, gently tossing to coat evenly in the sauce. Once the sauce starts bubbling, turn the heat to low and let it simmer for 10 minutes (the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer). Finally, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
4. Finish with chopped fresh parsley and a pinch of red chili flakes for heat. Serve immediately while steaming hot.

What To Serve With

Here are perfect pairings to complement your Marry Me Shrimp Pasta and create a balanced meal:

Breads:

• Garlic Bread: A crusty baguette or focaccia to mop up every drop of sauce
• Pasta: Penne, Fettuccine, pappardelle, or cheesy polenta for a hearty base
• Potatoes: Crispy roasted baby potatoes or creamy mashed potatoes

Fresh Salads:

• Green Salad with Italian vinaigrette.
• Caprese Salad (tomatoes, mozzarella, basil) – For a proper Italian flair.

Vegetables:

• Roasted Asparagus or Broccoli – Tossed with olive oil and garlic.
• Sautéed Spinach with garlic and lemon zest.

Try it tonight and let the compliments roll in! 🍤❤️ Share your creations on the comment section with your photos! We’d love to see your delicious results!

Marry Me Chicken

No ratings yet

Tender chicken in a luxurious garlic, sun-dried tomato creamy sauce. Romantic, restaurant-worthy, and ready fast!

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 people

Calories: 360kcal

Author: Grace

Print Pin Rate

Equipment

• 1 12inch cast iron pan
• 1 tong

Cook ModeToggle on to prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• ▢ 2 lb chicken thigh fillet (Note1)
• ▢ 2 tbsp sun-dried tomato oil
• ▢ 2 large clove garlic minced
• ▢ ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (Note2)
• ▢ 2 tbsp tomato paste
• ▢ ½ tbsp Italian seasoning
• ▢ 1 tsp dried oregano
• ▢ 1 cup vegetable broth or chicken broth
• ▢ 1 cup heavy cream (Note3)
• ▢ ¼ cup fresh parsley stem removed, coarsely chopped
• ▢ salt n pepper  to taste

Instructions

• Heat 1 tbsp sun-dried tomato oil in a large cast-iron pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken thigh with salt and pepper, then sauté for 3-4 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside. 
• Reduce heat to low. In the same pan, add 1 tbsp sun-dried tomato oil and minced garlic, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any flavorful browned bits. Increase heat to medium, then stir in heavy cream, Italian seasoning, dried oregano, sun-dried tomatoes, and tomato paste, and mix well.
• Return the cooked chicken to the pan or skillet, gently tossing to coat evenly in the sauce. Once the sauce starts bubbling, turn the heat to very low and let it simmer for 10 minutes (the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer). Finally, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
• Finish with chopped fresh parsley and a pinch of red chili flakes for heat. Serve immediately while steaming hot.

Notes

(Note1) I recommend using chicken thigh fillets for this recipe, as they stay juicier, but boneless, skinless chicken breasts work well too. Whichever you choose, ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer – chicken breast cooks faster and can dry out more easily than thighs.

(Note2) Opt for oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes – they’re the secret weapon in your flavor arsenal. These tender, ready-to-use tomatoes come infused with herbs and garlic, blending seamlessly into the creamy sauce while adding luxurious depth (we’ll use their fragrant oil for sautéing!).

(Note3) For a luxuriously smooth sauce, heavy cream (36-40% fat) is essential – its high fat content prevents curdling when simmered. While light cream or half-and-half may separate, for a dairy-free alternative, full-fat coconut cream works beautifully (note: it will impart a delicate sweetness).

 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Marry Me Chicken

Serving Size

 

1 portion

Amount per Serving

Calories

360

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

22

g

34

%

Saturated Fat

 

11

g

69

%

Trans Fat

 

0.03

g

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

2

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

6

g

Cholesterol

 

188

mg

63

%

Sodium

 

369

mg

16

%

Potassium

 

881

mg

25

%

Carbohydrates

 

10

g

3

%

Fiber

 

2

g

8

%

Sugar

 

6

g

7

%

Protein

 

32

g

64

%

Vitamin A

 

1151

IU

23

%

Vitamin C

 

14

mg

17

%

Calcium

 

71

mg

7

%

Iron

 

3

mg

17

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.