Finding Quick Dinner Recipes For Family that are both delicious and easy can be a daily challenge. Busy weeknights often leave little time for elaborate meals, but you still want to put something on the table that everyone will love. Enter Marry Me Chicken, a dish so incredibly flavorful and simple to make, it’s rumored to inspire marriage proposals! This creamy, dreamy chicken recipe is not only a guaranteed crowd-pleaser but also a lifesaver for those hectic evenings when time is of the essence. Get ready to discover your new go-to family dinner that’s ready in under 30 minutes!
Marry Me Chicken served in a skillet, garnished with basil and ready to be served.
Why Marry Me Chicken is Perfect for Quick Family Dinners
Marry Me Chicken isn’t just a catchy name; it’s a promise of a satisfying and speedy meal. Here’s why it’s ideal for your quick dinner recipes for family repertoire:
- Ready in Under 30 Minutes: From prep to plate, this recipe is designed for speed. Perfect for those nights when you need dinner on the table fast.
- Simple Ingredients: You likely already have many of the ingredients in your pantry. Chicken breasts, heavy cream, Parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes are the stars of this simple yet flavorful dish.
- Family-Friendly Flavor: The creamy, savory sauce with a hint of garlic and sun-dried tomatoes is universally appealing, even to picky eaters. It’s a comforting and delicious meal that the whole family will enjoy.
- Versatile Serving Options: Serve it over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or even zucchini noodles for a low-carb option. Marry Me Chicken pairs beautifully with a variety of sides, making it easy to customize your family dinner.
Ingredients for Marry Me Chicken: A Pantry Staple Recipe
One of the best things about Marry Me Chicken is that it relies on readily available ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this fantastic dish for your family:
Ingredients for Marry Me Chicken recipe including chicken breasts, flour, spices, garlic, chicken stock, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and sundried tomatoes.
- Chicken Breasts: Sliced into cutlets for quicker cooking.
- All-Purpose Flour: For dredging the chicken and creating a beautiful golden crust.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning the chicken and sauce.
- Olive Oil and Butter: A combination for browning the chicken and adding richness. You can also use the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.
- Garlic: Minced garlic is crucial for that savory base.
- Chicken Stock: Adds depth of flavor to the sauce. Vegetable stock works as a substitute.
- Heavy Cream: The key to the signature creamy sauce. Avoid using lighter creams as they won’t thicken properly.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts into the sauce, adding a salty, cheesy dimension.
- Chili Flakes, Dried Oregano, and Thyme: These spices enhance the flavor profile, adding warmth and complexity.
- Sun-dried Tomatoes: Packed in oil, they provide a burst of tangy, sweet, and savory flavor that makes this dish truly special.
- Fresh Basil Leaves: For a fresh, aromatic garnish.
See the recipe card below for exact measurements.
Step-by-Step Marry Me Chicken Recipe: Dinner is Served!
Follow these simple steps to create Marry Me Chicken, a perfect addition to your collection of quick dinner recipes for family:
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken cutlets with salt and pepper. Dredge them in flour, shaking off any excess.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the chicken on both sides until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate, cover to keep warm, and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Deglaze the Pan: In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic for about a minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken stock, and deglaze the pan by scraping up any browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. This adds incredible flavor to the sauce!
- Create the Creamy Sauce: Add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Simmer for a few minutes, allowing the sauce to slightly thicken. Season with chili flakes and oregano.
- Combine and Simmer: Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes. Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the creamy sauce. Let it simmer for a few more minutes, until the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency and the chicken is heated through.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish your Marry Me Chicken with fresh basil leaves. Serve hot over your favorite sides and enjoy this delightful family meal!
Marry Me Chicken in a stainless steel pan, ready to serve with a spoon in the dish.
Serving Suggestions for Family Dinners: Complete the Meal
Marry Me Chicken is incredibly versatile and pairs well with many side dishes. Here are some family-friendly serving suggestions:
- Pasta: Serve over your favorite pasta – spaghetti, penne, or fettuccine are all excellent choices. Garlic butter pasta is a particularly delicious pairing!
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are a comforting and classic side that complements the rich sauce beautifully.
- Rice: Serve over white rice, brown rice, or even risotto for a satisfying and wholesome meal.
- Crusty Bread: Perfect for soaking up every last bit of the delicious creamy sauce. Consider homemade breadsticks for an extra treat!
- Vegetable Sides: For a lighter option, serve with zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, or roasted vegetables like broccoli or asparagus.
Tips for the Best and Quickest Marry Me Chicken
To ensure your Marry Me Chicken is a success every time, and remains one of your go-to quick dinner recipes for family, keep these tips in mind:
- Chicken Cutlets: Using chicken cutlets (thinly sliced chicken breasts) is key for quick cooking. If you only have whole chicken breasts, slice them in half horizontally to create cutlets.
- Sun-dried Tomato Oil: Don’t discard the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes! Use a little of it to sauté the garlic for an extra layer of flavor.
- Heavy Cream is a Must: For a truly creamy sauce, stick with heavy cream. Lighter creams may not thicken properly and will result in a thinner sauce.
- Freshly Grated Parmesan: Whenever possible, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. It melts beautifully into the sauce and has a much richer flavor than pre-shredded Parmesan.
Make-Ahead and Storing Instructions: Dinner Made Easy
Marry Me Chicken is great for meal prepping or for enjoying leftovers.
- Storing Leftovers: Store leftover Marry Me Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat gently in the microwave or in the oven. You may need to add a splash of water or chicken stock to thin out the sauce as it thickens upon refrigeration.
- Freezing: Freezing creamy sauces is not recommended as the texture can become grainy when thawed. It’s best to enjoy this dish fresh or as leftovers within a few days.
Conclusion: Add Marry Me Chicken to Your Family Dinner Rotation
Marry Me Chicken is more than just a recipe; it’s a promise of a delicious, quick, and family-approved meal. Its simple ingredients and fast cooking time make it a perfect addition to your collection of quick dinner recipes for family. Whether you’re looking to impress or simply need a reliable weeknight dinner solution, this creamy chicken dish is sure to become a new favorite. So, gather your ingredients, follow the easy steps, and get ready to fall in love with Marry Me Chicken!
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