Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs make a delicious substitute. They're naturally more flavorful and forgiving if slightly overcooked. Just adjust your cooking time as thighs typically take a few minutes longer than breast cutlets.

Why is my sauce not thickening properly?

The sauce thickens from three main elements: the flour from the chicken coating, the reduction of the liquid as it simmers, and the parmesan cheese. Make sure you're using heavy cream (not half-and-half), simmering long enough for reduction, and using freshly grated parmesan rather than pre-grated, which often contains anti-caking agents that prevent proper melting.

Can I make this dish dairy-free?

While traditional Marry Me Chicken relies on cream and parmesan for its signature texture and flavor, you could experiment with full-fat coconut milk and nutritional yeast for a dairy-free version. The flavor profile will change significantly, but it could still be delicious in its own right.

What can I substitute for sun-dried tomatoes?

If you don't have sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers can provide a similar sweet-savory element, though with a milder flavor. Alternatively, you could use a tablespoon of tomato paste plus a handful of halved cherry tomatoes for a fresh take on the dish.

Marry Me Chicken Recipe

Name: Marry Me Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, 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) parmesan cheese, grated; 1 teaspoon chili flakes; ¼ teaspoon oregano; ¼ teaspoon thyme; ⅓ cup sundried tomatoes, chopped; 1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves

This irresistibly creamy Marry Me Chicken is named for good reason – it’s so delicious it might just prompt a proposal! Tender chicken cutlets bathed in a rich, sun-dried tomato cream sauce create a restaurant-quality meal that’s surprisingly simple to make at home. Ready in just 25 minutes, this impressive dish strikes the perfect balance between everyday practicality and special-occasion decadence.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Date-Night Worthy: The combination of tender chicken and luxurious cream sauce makes this dish special enough for romantic dinners without requiring hours in the kitchen.
One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in a single skillet, which means maximum flavor development and minimal cleanup.
Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: This dish has that magical quality of being sophisticated enough for adults while remaining approachable for pickier eaters.
Make-Ahead Friendly: The flavors actually improve when the dish has time to rest, making it perfect for busy weeknight planning.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chicken breasts: The star of the show! They’ll be sliced into thin cutlets for quick, even cooking and maximum tenderness.
Flour: Creates that perfect golden crust on the chicken and helps thicken our sauce beautifully.
Olive oil and butter: This dynamic duo adds richness and prevents the butter from burning while giving us the best of both flavors.
Garlic: Provides that aromatic base that makes your kitchen smell amazing and adds essential depth to the sauce.
Chicken stock: Deglazes the pan and forms the foundation of our sauce, capturing all those browned bits of flavor from the chicken.
Heavy cream: The key to our velvety, luxurious sauce – don’t substitute with lighter options or the sauce won’t reach that perfect consistency.
Parmesan cheese: Adds nutty richness and helps thicken the sauce – freshly grated works infinitely better than pre-grated varieties.
Chili flakes: Provides just enough heat to balance the richness without overwhelming the dish.
Herbs (oregano and thyme): These classic Mediterranean herbs complement the sun-dried tomatoes beautifully.
Sun-dried tomatoes: The secret weapon! Their concentrated sweet-tart flavor and chewy texture make every bite interesting.
Fresh basil: Adds a bright, aromatic finish that lifts the whole dish.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Want to customize this crowd-pleaser? Try these creative twists:

Spinach Addition: Throw in a handful of fresh spinach at the end of cooking for added color, texture, and nutrition.
Mushroom Lover’s Version: Sauté 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms after cooking the garlic for an earthy dimension.
Lemon Brightness: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and some zest to the finished dish for a bright counterpoint to the rich sauce.
Prosciutto Upgrade: Wrap each chicken cutlet with a thin slice of prosciutto before cooking for an extra layer of flavor.

How to Make Marry Me Chicken

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Season chicken cutlets with salt and pepper, then dredge them in flour, making sure to shake off any excess. The thin coating will create a beautiful golden crust and help thicken our sauce later.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until the butter is melted and the pan is hot. Cook the chicken cutlets for 4-5 minutes per side until they’re golden brown and cooked through. Work in batches if needed – overcrowding the pan will prevent proper browning. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm.

Step 3: Create the Sauce Base

In the same skillet, sauté the minced garlic for about a minute until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the chicken stock and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all those flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan – that’s pure gold for our sauce!

Step 4: Build the Cream Sauce

Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour in the heavy cream. Add the grated parmesan cheese and stir until it melts smoothly into the sauce. Let this mixture simmer gently for 2-3 minutes as it begins to thicken.

Step 5: Season and Finish

Add the chili flakes, thyme, and oregano to the simmering sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling the pieces into the sauce, and let everything simmer together for another 3-5 minutes until the sauce reaches your desired thickness.

Step 6: Serve

Garnish with fresh basil just before serving. The heat from the dish will release the basil’s aromatic oils, adding a wonderful fragrance.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Chicken Thickness Matters: For even cooking, ensure your cutlets are about ¼ inch thick throughout. If they’re thicker in some areas, give them a quick pounding with a meat mallet.
Don’t Rush the Browning: That golden crust on the chicken is essential for flavor, so make sure your pan is properly heated before adding the chicken.
Sun-dried Tomato Oil: If your sun-dried tomatoes come packed in oil, use a tablespoon of that oil when sautéing the garlic for an extra flavor boost.
Sauce Consistency: If your sauce gets too thick, thin it with a splash of chicken stock. If it’s too thin, let it simmer a bit longer or add a touch more parmesan.
Rest Before Serving: Letting the dish stand for 5 minutes after cooking allows the sauce to settle and the flavors to meld beautifully.

How to Serve

Marry Me Chicken works beautifully with a variety of accompaniments:

Perfect Pairings:

Serve over al dente pasta like linguine or fettuccine to catch all that amazing sauce
Alongside fluffy mashed potatoes for ultimate comfort food vibes
With crusty bread for soaking up every last drop of sauce
Over creamy polenta for an Italian-inspired feast

Complete the Meal:

A simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette provides a perfect peppery contrast
Roasted asparagus or broccolini adds color and balances the richness
A glass of Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio complements the creamy sauce beautifully

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store completely cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually continue to develop overnight, making this a fantastic meal prep option.

Freezing

While you can freeze this dish, the cream sauce may separate slightly upon thawing. If you plan to freeze, consider reducing the amount of cream slightly when cooking. Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

Reheating

For best results, reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or chicken stock if needed to refresh the sauce. Alternatively, microwave at 50% power, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs make a delicious substitute. They’re naturally more flavorful and forgiving if slightly overcooked. Just adjust your cooking time as thighs typically take a few minutes longer than breast cutlets.
Why is my sauce not thickening properly?

The sauce thickens from three main elements: the flour from the chicken coating, the reduction of the liquid as it simmers, and the parmesan cheese. Make sure you’re using heavy cream (not half-and-half), simmering long enough for reduction, and using freshly grated parmesan rather than pre-grated, which often contains anti-caking agents that prevent proper melting.
Can I make this dish dairy-free?

While traditional Marry Me Chicken relies on cream and parmesan for its signature texture and flavor, you could experiment with full-fat coconut milk and nutritional yeast for a dairy-free version. The flavor profile will change significantly, but it could still be delicious in its own right.
What can I substitute for sun-dried tomatoes?

If you don’t have sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers can provide a similar sweet-savory element, though with a milder flavor. Alternatively, you could use a tablespoon of tomato paste plus a handful of halved cherry tomatoes for a fresh take on the dish.

Final Thoughts

There’s something magical about this Marry Me Chicken recipe – perhaps it’s how it transforms simple ingredients into something truly special with minimal effort. Whether you’re cooking for someone you hope to impress or simply treating yourself to a fantastic meal, this dish delivers restaurant-quality results from your own kitchen. The combination of tender chicken, rich cream sauce, and sun-dried tomatoes creates a meal that feels like a celebration, even on an ordinary Tuesday. Go ahead and give it a try – your taste buds will certainly say “yes!”