Marry Me Chicken

Yumna Jawad

Published Nov 03, 2025

No ratings yet

Creamy Marry Me Chicken made with seared chicken breasts simmered in a Parmesan and sun-dried tomato sauce for an easy one-pan dinner.

Jump to Recipe โ–ผPin
Prep Time 10 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Comments
0

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Best marry me chicken recipe in a skillet.
Save this recipe!
Type your email & I’ll send it to you!

Jump to Section

Marry Me Chicken is ring worthy!

I really didn’t think Marry Me Chicken would live up to its name, but it really is that good. It’s simple too! Seared chicken simmered in a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan, but the flavor tastes like something that took all day.

The first time I made it, everyone at the table went quiet for a minute (which rarely happens in my house). Now, this marry me chicken recipe has made it as a regular in the dinner rotation.

Happy Cooking!
– Yumna

Marry Me Chicken Ingredients

Ingredients for recipe: oil, parmesan, fresh basil, red pepper flakes, garlic, cream, seasonings, sun dried tomatoes, broth, and chicken breasts.
  • Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best here. If using thighs, just adjust the cook time slightly since they take a little longer.
  • Seasonings: Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. You can swap the paprika for smoked paprika if you like a little more smoky flavor.
  • Garlic: Fresh is best, but ½ teaspoon of garlic powder will work.
  • Sauce: Use chicken stock, heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and a little red pepper flakes. Full-fat cream gives the richest texture, but half-and-half works if that’s what you have. Jarred sun-dried tomatoes in oil are what I use in this marry me chicken recipe, they add extra flavor.
  • Finishing touch: Fresh basil, I highly recommend going the fresh route; dried basil doesn’t add the same flavor.

How to Make Marry Me Chicken

Seasoned chicken breasts in a skillet for marry me chicken recipe.
Step 1: Season the chicken breasts with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Place in a heated skillet.
Chicken breasts after flipping and cooking through.
Step 2: Sear until golden brown.
Minced garlic added to pan after removing chicken.
Step 3: In the same skillet, add garlic and cook until fragrant.
Stock being poured into a skillet with a wooden spoon, scraping up browned bits from cooking chicken.
Step 4: Stir in the chicken stock, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
Heavy cream, tomatoes, parmesan, and red pepper flakes added to other sauce ingredients before combining.
Step 5: Pour in the heavy cream. Stir in the tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes if using.
Creamy sun-dried tomato sauce after thickening in pan.
Step 6: Simmer until slightly thickened.
Cooked chicken breasts added back to skillet with marry me sauce.
Step 7: Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon the sauce over the top, and simmer, uncovered, until thechicken is cooked through.
Creamy sun dried tomato sauce in a skillet with cooked chicken breasts tossed in sauce.
Step 8: Stir in fresh basil just before serving. Serve chicken with extra sauce over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Easy marry me chicken recipe.

Marry Me Chicken Recipe

Author: Yumna Jawad
No ratings yet
This marry me chicken is a one pot recipe made with pan seared chicken breast in a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce and finished with fresh basil.
Pin Print
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Servings4 servings
Email This Recipe
Enter your email and I’ll send this directly to you. Plus you’ll get new recipes from me every week!

Ingredients
 
 

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 ½ pounds)
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • ½ cup chicken stock
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ¼ cup fresh basil leaves chopped

Instructions

  • Season the chicken breasts with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt and pepper.
  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear until golden brown on both sides, about 4–5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate (it doesn’t need to be cooked through yet).
  • In the same skillet, add garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the chicken stock, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
  • Lower heat to medium, then pour in the heavy cream. Stir in the tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes if using. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  • Return chicken to the skillet, spoon sauce over the top, and simmer uncovered for 10-12 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.
  • Stir in fresh basil just before serving. Serve chicken with extra sauce over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.

Equipment

Notes

  • My Top Tip: Don’t over-reduce the sauce: The sauce should lightly coat the back of a spoon. It will continue to thicken as it sits.
  • Storage: Let the Marry Me Chicken cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often and adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving on high, as it can make the chicken tough and split the sauce. Freezing is not recommended.  

Nutrition

Serving: 6oz, Calories: 457kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 31g, Fat: 34g, Saturated Fat: 17g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 11g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 150mg, Sodium: 996mg, Potassium: 782mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 1579IU, Vitamin C: 16mg, Calcium: 191mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.

Did You Make This Recipe?
Leave a comment below!

Recipe Tips

  1. Pound chicken evenly: If your chicken breasts are thick in the center, gently pound them so they cook evenly and don’t dry out before the sauce thickens.
  2. Use the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes: It’s packed with flavor and works great for searing the chicken or sautéing the garlic.
  3. Don’t over-reduce the sauce: The sauce should lightly coat the back of a spoon — it will continue to thicken as it sits.

Serving Ideas

Marry me chicken breast on a plate with extra sun dried tomato sauce spooned on top served with pasta.

More Skillet Chicken Recipes

Rate and comment

Recipe Rating