Looking for a dinner that will not only please everyone at the table but also become a new family favorite? Meet Marry Me Chicken! This creamy, flavorful chicken dish is so incredibly delicious, it’s rumored to inspire marriage proposals! While we can’t guarantee a ring, we can promise a meal that’s guaranteed to win hearts, big and small.
Marry Me Chicken served in a skillet with fresh basil, ready to be enjoyed for a family dinner
If you’re a fan of creamy chicken recipes, you’re in for a treat. Marry Me Chicken takes the concept of comfort food to a whole new level. It’s similar in deliciousness to popular dishes like Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken, known for its creamy sauce and rave reviews. But Marry Me Chicken offers a unique flavor profile and texture that’s truly irresistible. The combination of juicy chicken, a rich parmesan cream sauce, fragrant garlic, and bright sundried tomatoes is simply culinary magic.
And the best part? This impressive dish is surprisingly easy to make, even on busy weeknights. In just about 30 minutes, you can have a restaurant-quality meal on your family table that everyone will adore. If you’re searching for exciting and easy dinner ideas for the family, look no further!
Another fantastic and quick family dinner option is creamy lemon chicken, which cooks in just 25 minutes and is bursting with bright, zesty flavors. But if you’re in the mood for something richer and more decadent, Marry Me Chicken is the perfect choice.
What Makes Marry Me Chicken a Family Dinner Winner?
The name “Marry Me Chicken” might sound a bit quirky, and it certainly is! The story goes that this dish is so incredibly tasty, anyone who tastes it will instantly fall in love with the cook’s culinary skills and want to propose marriage. Whether or not that’s true, the legend highlights just how delicious this recipe is.
For families, this translates to a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Kids and adults alike will be drawn to the creamy sauce and tender chicken. It’s a fantastic way to get everyone excited about dinner and try something a little bit special without spending hours in the kitchen. Plus, the ingredients are relatively simple and readily available, making it a practical choice for everyday family meals.
How to Cook Marry Me Chicken for Your Family
Making Marry Me Chicken is straightforward and quick. It’s a perfect recipe for those evenings when you want a delicious, home-cooked meal without a lot of fuss.
Family Dinner Ingredients You’ll Need:
Marry Me Chicken ingredients laid out on a kitchen counter, ready for cooking a family meal
- Chicken Breasts: Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts and slice them into cutlets. This helps them cook quickly and evenly. If you only have whole breasts, you can still use them, but you might need to finish cooking them in the oven to ensure they are cooked through. Chicken cutlets are ideal for this recipe as they stay tender and juicy.
- Flour, Salt, and Pepper: These pantry staples create a light coating for the chicken, helping it brown beautifully and develop a slightly crispy exterior.
- Olive Oil and Butter: A combination of olive oil and butter is used for browning the chicken. The olive oil prevents the butter from burning, while the butter adds richness and flavor. For an extra layer of flavor, you can even use the oil from the sundried tomatoes.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is essential for adding that aromatic, savory base to the sauce.
- Chicken or Vegetable Stock: Chicken stock is recommended for the most robust flavor, but vegetable stock works well too, especially if you are looking for a lighter option.
- Heavy Cream and Parmesan Cheese: These are the key ingredients for the luxurious, creamy sauce. It’s important to use heavy cream for the best thickening and richness. Avoid using single or light cream as they won’t create the same luscious texture. Freshly grated parmesan cheese is also key for flavor and melting.
- Chili Flakes, Dried Oregano, and Thyme: These dried herbs and spices add depth and warmth to the sauce. The chili flakes provide a subtle kick, while oregano and thyme bring in earthy, Mediterranean notes.
- Sundried Tomatoes: Sundried tomatoes are the star ingredient that gives Marry Me Chicken its signature tangy-sweet flavor. They add a burst of Mediterranean sunshine to the dish.
- Fresh Basil Leaves: Fresh basil is used as a garnish, adding a pop of color and fresh, herbaceous flavor to finish the dish.
For the complete list of ingredients and precise measurements, please refer to the recipe card at the end of this article.
Simple Directions for a Family-Friendly Dinner:
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken cutlets with salt and pepper. Dredge them in flour, shaking off any excess. Place the coated chicken on a plate, making sure not to stack them to prevent sticking.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Once hot, brown the chicken on both sides until golden brown and cooked through. This should take about 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer the browned chicken to a warm plate, cover to keep warm, and set aside.
- Make the Creamy Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté the minced garlic for about a minute, or until fragrant. Pour in the chicken stock and deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. This adds extra flavor to the sauce.
- Create the Parmesan Cream: Add the heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese to the skillet. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes, allowing it to slightly thicken and the cheese to melt completely. Season the sauce with chili flakes and dried oregano. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Combine and Simmer: Stir in the sundried tomatoes into the creamy sauce. Return the browned chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Let everything simmer together for a few more minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken further and the chicken to absorb the delicious flavors.
- Serve and Garnish: Marry Me Chicken is ready to be served! Garnish generously with freshly chopped basil leaves. Serve warm over your family’s favorite sides.
Marry Me Chicken with creamy sauce in a pan, garnished with basil and ready for family serving
What to Serve with Marry Me Chicken for a Family Meal
Marry Me Chicken is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of sides, making it easy to customize your family dinner.
- Pasta: Serving Marry Me Chicken over pasta is a classic and delicious choice. Garlic butter pasta is especially wonderful, but even simple pasta tossed with a little olive oil or butter works perfectly, especially with the rich and flavorful sauce.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are another excellent option for soaking up the delicious sauce. For a healthier twist, you can try mashed sweet potatoes or cauliflower mash.
- Rice: Fluffy rice, such as basmati rice, is a great neutral base that complements the richness of the chicken and sauce.
- Crusty Bread: Don’t forget some crusty bread or homemade breadsticks for dipping into that amazing creamy sauce!
- Vegetable Sides: To round out the meal, serve Marry Me Chicken with a side of steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, green beans, or a simple side salad.
- Low-Carb Options: For a lower-carb family meal, consider serving Marry Me Chicken with zucchini noodles (zoodles), butternut squash noodles, or cauliflower rice.
Top Tips for Perfect Family Marry Me Chicken
- Chicken Cutlet Shortcut: Save time by purchasing pre-sliced chicken cutlets or chicken steaks from the supermarket. If using chicken breasts, slicing them into thinner cutlets is key for even cooking.
- Flavor Boost: When sautéing the garlic, add a spoonful of oil from the jar of sundried tomatoes for an extra layer of flavor.
- Heavy Cream is Key: For the creamiest sauce, don’t substitute heavy cream with lighter options like half-and-half or single cream. They won’t thicken properly and the sauce will be less rich.
- Freshly Grated Parmesan: Whenever possible, use a block of parmesan cheese and grate it yourself. Pre-grated parmesan often lacks flavor and doesn’t melt as smoothly in sauces.
Family Meal Prep: Storing Leftover Marry Me Chicken
Leftovers of Marry Me Chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven. You might need to add a splash of water or chicken stock when reheating to thin out the sauce, as it tends to thicken in the fridge.
Freezing creamy sauces is not recommended as it can alter the texture, making it grainy when thawed. It’s best to enjoy Marry Me Chicken fresh or within a few days for the best quality.
More Easy & Delicious Chicken Dinner Ideas for the Family
Looking for more inspiration for your family dinners? Try these other easy and flavorful chicken recipes:
[ 
Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry
](https://littlesunnykitchen.com/teriyaki-chicken-stir-fry/) [
Easy Chicken Scampi Recipe
](https://littlesunnykitchen.com/chicken-scampi/) [ 
Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole
](https://littlesunnykitchen.com/chicken-fajita-casserole/) [
Creamy Lemon Chicken
](https://littlesunnykitchen.com/creamy-lemon-chicken/) [ 
Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders
](https://littlesunnykitchen.com/chicken-tenders/) [
Baked Chicken Tacos
](https://littlesunnykitchen.com/baked-chicken-tacos/) [ 
Butter Chicken
](https://littlesunnykitchen.com/butter-chicken/) [
Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs
](https://littlesunnykitchen.com/sheet-pan-chicken-thighs/)
Enjoy creating this incredibly delicious Marry Me Chicken for your family! It’s a dinner that’s sure to bring smiles to everyone’s faces and become a cherished recipe in your household.
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Marry Me Chicken Recipe
Description: Marry Me Chicken is a creamy, juicy, and flavorful chicken dinner that’s incredibly easy to make and perfect for families. It’s so delicious, it’s rumored to inspire marriage proposals!
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced lengthwise into thin cutlets
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 6 tablespoons (50 grams) all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken stock
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream (double cream in the UK)
- ½ cup (43 grams) grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ⅓ cup chopped sundried tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Season chicken cutlets with salt and pepper. Dredge in flour, shaking off excess.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Brown chicken in batches for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
- Sauté garlic in the skillet for 1 minute until fragrant. Add chicken stock and deglaze the pan.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, add heavy cream and parmesan cheese. Simmer for a few minutes, then season with chili flakes, thyme, and oregano.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add sundried tomatoes, then return chicken to the sauce. Simmer until sauce thickens slightly.
- Garnish with fresh basil and serve warm over pasta or rice.
Recipe Notes:
- Chicken cutlets can be substituted with boneless, skinless chicken thighs, but cooking time may need to be adjusted.
- For thinner chicken cutlets, slice chicken breasts horizontally and pound lightly with a meat mallet if needed to ¼ inch thickness.
- Adding a teaspoon of sundried tomato oil when sautéing garlic enhances the flavor.
- Use heavy cream for the best sauce consistency; half-and-half or single cream may not thicken sufficiently.
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese is recommended for optimal flavor and melting.
Storing Leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven, adding a splash of water to thin the sauce if needed. Freezing is not recommended.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 447kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 31g, Fat: 30g, Saturated Fat: 15g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 11g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 147mg, Sodium: 601mg, Potassium: 749mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 1019IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 154mg, Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
