It doesn’t get any better than this Marry Me Chicken recipe. It’s an easy, flavorful dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or when you want to make something a little special.
The chicken is pan-seared until golden, then finished in a creamy, savory sauce with just the right amount of heat.
For this marry me chicken recipe, I like to take a slightly different approach by blending the seasonings before adding them to the chicken. It’s a simple step that adds plenty of flavor and helps create a delicious sauce as everything comes together.
I especially enjoy serving this chicken with mashed potatoes, pasta, or white rice. The sauce is too good to waste, and these sides make it easy to enjoy every bit of it.
What I love most about this recipe is how much flavor we build before the chicken even hits the pan.
And trust me, you’re going to want something on the side to soak up every last drop of that sauce!
Tips for the Best Marry Me Chicken
Season the chicken well. The blended seasoning mixture adds flavor before the chicken even reaches the skillet.
Use evenly sized chicken breasts. If the chicken breasts are particularly thick, pound them to an even thickness so they cook more consistently.
Don’t rush the searing process. Allow the chicken to develop a golden crust before flipping.
Use freshly grated Parmesan. It melts more smoothly into the sauce than many pre-shredded varieties.
Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer. Once you add the cream, avoid boiling it vigorously, which can cause separation.
Adjust the heat. Red pepper flakes add a spicy kick. Reduce the amount if you prefer a milder sauce.
Let the sauce thicken naturally. Simmer gently until it coats the back of a spoon.
What to Serve with Marry Me Chicken
This creamy marry me chicken is delicious with sides that soak up the sun-dried tomato sauce.
Pasta: Serve over fettuccine, linguine, or your favorite pasta.
Mashed potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are perfect for enjoying every bit of the sauce.
Rice: White rice, garlic rice, or seasoned rice makes an easy, satisfying meal.
Roasted vegetables: Broccoli, asparagus, or green beans add a fresh contrast to the creamy sauce.
Crusty bread: Perfect for dipping into the flavorful Parmesan sauce.
How To Make It
If you make this recipe, leave a comment and star rating below. I’d love to hear how it turned out! Check out our recipe videos here.
Easy Marry Me Chicken for a Delicious Dinner Recipe
Equipment
- Large skillet or sauté pan; For searing the chicken and preparing the creamy sauce.
- Blender For blending the seasoning mixture.
- Cutting Board For preparing the chicken, garlic, and herbs.
- Sharp knife; For chopping and slicing ingredients.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons For measuring ingredients accurately.
- Mixing Bowls For seasoning the chicken and reserving the blended mixture.
- Kitchen tongs; For flipping and removing the chicken from the skillet.
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula; For stirring the sauce.
- Cheese grater; For freshly grating the Parmesan cheese.
- Meat thermometer; To ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste divided
- 6 fresh thyme sprigs divided
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 8 ounces sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus more if needed
- 6 tablespoons neutral oil for cooking
- 2 tablespoons red pepper flakes divided, or to taste
- 10 garlic cloves minced
- Gonaïves All-Purpose Seasoning as directed below
- 2 cups Water 1 cup for blending + 1 cup additional
- ½ tablespoon ground cumin
Instructions
- Prepare the Blended SeasoningIn a blender, combine 2 tablespoons of Gonaïves All-Purpose Seasoning or your favorite all-purpose seasoning, garlic cloves 3 thyme sprigs, 1 cup water, 2 tablespoons oil, and the entire 3 tablespoons of tomato paste.Blend until smooth and well combined.Pour enough of the mixture over the chicken breasts to coat them thoroughly. Set aside the remaining blended mixture in a separate bowl before it comes into contact with the raw chicken.Add 1 additional cup of water to the reserved blended mixture and stir well. Set aside. Sear the ChickenHeat the remaining 4 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat.Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook until golden brown on both sides, approximately 3–5 minutes per side, depending on thickness.Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate. The chicken will finish cooking in the sauce.
- Prepare the Creamy SauceReduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of Gonaïves seasoning or your favorite all-purpose seasoning, ½ tablespoon ground cumin, and 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes to the same skillet. Stir for approximately 30 seconds.Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for about 1–2 minutes, stirring occasionally.Pour in a little of the reserved blended liquid to deglaze the skillet, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.Gradually add the remaining blended liquid and stir to combine.Add the remaining 3 thyme sprigs and allow the sauce to simmer for a few minutes.Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until combined.Finish the ChickenReturn the chicken breasts and any accumulated juices to the skillet.Simmer gently until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.Stir in the chopped fresh basil. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.Serve warm with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or your favorite vegetables.
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