Marry Me Chicken
Famous skillet chicken in a sundried tomato parmesan cream sauce with fresh basil. It will definitely inspire marriage proposals!
This is some famous chicken. I found this Marry Me Chicken recipe and the photos of it had me falling fast. I can definitely see why this is called "Marry Me Chicken"...it may have the power to elicit a marriage proposal.
After I watched "The Bachelor" last night and saw him meet the parents and talk a lot about proposals, it only seems fitting that I share this "Marry Me Chicken" recipe. This chicken recipe may just be the lucky charm!
What is Marry Me Chicken?
It is chicken breasts sauteed in olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper. A sundried tomato cream sauce is made with fresh garlic, thyme, red pepper flakes, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, sundried tomatoes, and fresh basil. It is an easy, crowd-pleasing, popular 30-minute dinner.
I love to use a cast iron skillet since I can take it from the stovetop to the oven with ease. You can find one here for less than 15 bucks.
Almost five years before I started Modern Honey, I entered and participated in recipe contests all over the country. One of my most memorable ones had to be Cooking Channel's Perfect 3 Contest to find the most perfect cookie recipe. The grand prize winner would be flown to New York City to film a segment for a show in the Food Network Studios.
I wanted to win this contest so badly so I got busy right away in the kitchen concocting a brand new cookie recipe in an attempt to woo the judges. I came up with a saucepan browned butter cookie with toffee notes and both white chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate chips. I named them, "I WANT TO MARRY YOU COOKIES" and shared my own little love story.
The judges whittled it down to the top 3 and that's where we had to make our own cooking video showing how to make the cookies. The results came in and I actually won the grand prize! It was an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience and you can read all about it here. But these little "I Want to Marry You Cookies" ended up being the most popular recipe on Cooking Channel in 2012. Now that's crazy!
So you can serve this Marry Me Chicken and I Want to Marry You Cookies and you should have the perfect meal!
I love to pair this Marry Me Chicken with creamy garlic mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus or broccoli. It pairs so well with any type of vegetable!
How to make the best Sundried Tomato Cream Marry Me Chicken:
- Start by heating olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for about 4-5 minutes per side. Season well with salt and pepper.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and add finely diced garlic. Cook for only 1 minute since garlic can easily burn. Add thyme, red pepper flakes, chicken broth, and cream to skillet. Cook until cream sauce begins to thicken -- about 5 minutes. Stir in sundried tomatoes.
- Remove from heat and add chicken to the skillet. Spoon sauce all over the chicken. Place in an oven set at 375 degrees and cook for 15-18 minutes to until chicken is cooked through. If using thinly sliced chicken breasts, reduce baking time.
- Top with fresh basil and freshly grated parmesan cheese, if so desired.
I love to hear from you! If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and give this recipe a rating. Sign up for my newsletter below so you never miss a recipe. Thank you for following along! I truly do have the greatest readers. FOLLOW ME ON: INSTAGRAM --- FACEBOOK --- PINTEREST
Marry Me Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 3-4 Large Chicken Breasts
- Salt
- Pepper
- 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Thyme
- 1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (may add only ½ teaspoon for less spice)
- ¾ cup Chicken Broth
- ½ cup Heavy Cream
- ½ cup Sundried Tomatoes (chopped)
- ¼ - ½ cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
- Fresh Basil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large oven-safe skillet heat oil over medium-high heat. Season chicken generously with salt and pepper and sear until golden, about 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate.
- Return skillet to medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in thyme, red pepper flakes, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. Stir in sundried tomatoes and parmesan cheese.
- Return chicken to skillet and spoon sauce all over the chicken breasts. Bake until chicken is cooked through -- about 15-18 minutes. Garnish with basil and grated parmesan cheese, if so desired.
Video
Notes
- Recipe adapted from Delish.com
Find my "I Want to Marry You Cookies" Recipe by clicking HERE.
J
Have made this several times and it has become a favorite for special occasions! Mushrooms make a yummy addition. We serve this either with risotto or thin spaghetti. So yummy!
Sally C
Made this tonight and doubled ingredients for more sauce over whole wheat penne. I only used 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes and it was still pretty spicy…I can’t imagine using more! Also, added more cheese to thicken sauce. The sauce keeps the chicken moist and we loved the fresh herbs with sun dried tomatoes. Delicious!
Debs Fellowes
I get confused when a recipe calls for "red pepper flakes" - are these dried chilli flakes - the hot red ones? Or are they sweet red pepper flakes? We don't seem to get these in the UK - well you can from Amazon but if they are the same as chilli flakes then I already have those in abundance.
Gen
You can use chili flakes instead, but they won’t be as hot, so you might want to double the amount. Or…use the same quantity if you don’t want it to be hot. I used the full teaspoon of red pepper flakes and we loved it, but it definitely cleared our sinuses!
FYI, the difference between the two is that chili flakes use only one kind of red pepper (typically a milder one) while red pepper flakes use several kinds and typically contain one or more spicy ones.
Kelli
This is my go to meal when I want to impress someone and it never fails! I have cooked pancetta with it before and it really enhances this dish wonderfully. Also, I've used evaporated milk in lieu of the heavy cream and that worked out just as well. Love, love, love this dish!!!
Gen
I made this exactly as the recipe instructed and wouldn’t change a thing. Some people have commented that the sauce was thin, but that’s how it’s going to be unless you add cornstarch or flour. I served my chicken sliced on a bed of fettuccine, and the sauce was absolutely perfect spooned over that. Warning: If you don’t like a lot of heat, cut back on the red pepper flakes by half. I used the full teaspoon and it was just right for us, but it will clear your sinuses!
Dean
This dish is amazing! Packed with flavor and makes me look like I know what I am doing in the kitchen! Looks so sophisticated and I was intimidated to make it at first but boy was I wrong. All my friends that follow you and make your recipes always talk about this dish. Great job MH!
Tiffany
One of our new weeknight staples. This chicken recipe is so juicy and full of flavor. It is simple to make and does not take much time at all!!! I will be making this again next week for sure! Thanks for sharing!
Nikita
Was wondering if you could make this without sundried tomatoes my husband hates tomatos
Modern Honey
Hi Nikita! You can just remove the sundried tomatoes. If he likes marinated artichoke hearts, you can always add them. 🙂
Cvoelkel
This chicken was so good! My whole family (six of us) loved it! That is really unusual. I have a picky family. There is usually at least one person grumbling. Thank you for sharing! I will make again and again.
gin
We really like this, however I double the sauce and throw in chopped fresh baby spinach to get some more veggies into my family. The extra sauce means some of them can put this over pasta if they want. We have made it a few times now.
Mary Jo
I am an experienced cook and followed your recipe as stated. It turned out prefect and very tasty. Will be adding this to future meal plans. I sautéed some fresh baby spinach and served with it.