As its description suggests, this sun-dried tomato chicken comes together with juicy chicken breasts covered in a sun-dried tomato cream sauce. The sauce gets its flavor from a luxuriously rich mixture of heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and Italian spices. However, the addition of sundried tomatoes balances this indulgent cream with a savory-sweet tang, bringing out its herby lightness. This iconic recipe most frequently goes by the name “Marry Me Chicken.” Still, its popularity on social media has led to a host of alternate names, including “wedding chicken,” “husband chicken,” and even “I love you chicken.” Since its first appearance on social media, it has gotten so popular that the NY Times Marry Me chicken recipe made it to their top 10 recipes of 2023.
Chicken cutlets: A vital element of the Tik Tok Marry Me Chicken is the poultry’s thin, delicate texture. Though you can buy pre-made chicken cutlets at your local grocery store, you can prepare them yourself by halving whole skinless chicken breasts lengthwise. However, as you cut your halves, make sure that your halves are of equal size and thickness to promote even cooking. If you find that any portion of your meat is thicker than desired, use a meat mallet to tap these sections until they achieve a uniform size. Seasonings: Because this recipe’s sauce is full of savory, tangy, and creamy flavors, all you need to season it is kosher salt and pepper. All-purpose flour: Flour is the core thickening agent in this recipe, ensuring it doesn’t come out too liquidy. Olive oil: I use olive oil to give my chicken cutlets a perfectly seared exterior and infuse their sauce with deep, fragrant flavors. However, any vegetable oil—such as avocado oil, canola oil, etc.—would also work. You can also use a combination of olive oil and unsalted butter if you want to give your recipe a more decadent finish.
Fresh garlic cloves Chicken stock: For this recipe, I recommend using either homemade chicken stock or store-bought low-sodium chicken stock if you don’t want to make your own. If you’re in a pinch, you can also use vegetable stock, though it may not have as savory, umami-rich flavors as meat-based alternatives. Heavy cream: You must use whole-fat heavy cream when making this married chicken recipe, as low-fat or no-fat versions will not thicken, resulting in a watery, less flavorful sauce. Sun-dried tomatoes: One of the most essential ingredients in this recipe, sun-dried tomatoes, give this tasty recipe a hint of tart, tangy, and mildly sweet flavors. I suggest using a 4-ounce jar of sun-dried tomatoes, resulting in one cup of tomatoes to use. However, be sure that the brand you buy has no added sugar, as the additional sweetness will make your chicken’s sauce too sweet, knocking its savory profile off-balance. Parmesan cheese: I prefer to buy a block of parmesan cheese and grate it myself to ensure maximum freshness and nutty, buttery flavors. However, you can also purchase pre-grated versions to cut down on prep time. Spices: The best way to animate this recipe with light, herbaceous flavors is to season it with a mixture of dried oregano and dried thyme (plus a dash of red pepper flakes if you’re a fan of spice). Alternatively, you may use pre-made Italian seasoning for a simpler solution. Lemon juice: Though this ingredient doesn’t appear in the original recipe, we found during testing that lemon juice provides a much-needed kick of acid to the mix, brightening the heavier flavors with a tantalizingly zesty edge. Fresh basil: Herby, light, and colorful, fresh basil makes an ideal garnish for this creamy chicken dinner.
Make ahead: Because this recipe comes together so quickly, the best way to simplify your meal prep is to prepare your ingredients ahead of time. In particular, I recommend making your chicken cutlets in advance, as this step takes the most time during the cooking process. Storage: To store this creamy chicken dish, bring it to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat: To ensure even heating, I like to warm this recipe in a low-heat oven (300 degrees F.) for 5-10 minutes. However, you can also reheat it in the microwave in 30-second increments. No matter which method you use, remember that you can always add a splash of water to keep your chicken moist.
Pasta: In my opinion, there is no “best” pasta for Marry Me chicken, as this dish is so versatile that it works with nearly any type of pasta—including my 30-minute Garlic Butter Spaghetti! However, serving it with angel hair pasta is a crowd favorite, as the pasta’s delicate texture exquisitely balances the hearty, creamy texture of the main dish. Also, if you don’t want to whip up a stand-alone side dish, you can even serve marry me chicken over pasta for a filling one-plate meal. Or, if you follow a gluten-free diet, you can easily prepare your side using gluten-free pasta and omit the flour from your chicken recipe. Rice: An effortless yet satisfying option, preparing it with rice ensures that your grain beautifully complements your main dish’s decadent cream sauce. Serve your chicken along with a bowl of fluffy white rice or aromatic brown jasmine rice, and your whole table will be satisfied. Potatoes: Soft, filling, and oh-so-versatile, potatoes make one of the best sides for this recipe. For a creamy, sophisticated meal, try serving it with mashed potatoes (such as our reader’s favorite Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Rosemary) to add a luscious layer to this five-star meal. Or, for a quicker, more rustic side, my Red Potatoes in the Air Fryer is an easily customizable dish that comes together in just twenty minutes. Salad: For a more health-conscious pairing, try serving your chicken with a garden-fresh salad. My Spring Mix Salad packs a host of colorful veggies that burst with natural flavors, while Caesar Salad is a creamy favorite that pairs well with any authentic Italian menu. Or, if you want another celebrity-viral hit, La Scala Salad strikes a perfect balance between savory salami, creamy mozzarella, and tangy mustard dressing. Vegetables: One of my favorite side dishes for this creamy chicken dish is also the easiest—a nutritious veggie! Any of my tasty vegetable sides would work excellently alongside your meaty main. However, I especially love serving this dish alongside a plate of tender Air Fryer Green Beans or garlicky Air Fryer Asparagus.
Time-saving: The most time-consuming part of this recipe comes from preparing the chicken cutlets. Therefore, if you’re looking to cut down on prep time, the easiest shortcut is to buy pre-made cutlets, which have the bonus of being evenly sized from the get-go. Cook chicken thoroughly: Unlike most other chicken dishes, this easy chicken dinner recipe requires that you fully cook the chicken cutlets before adding them to the sauce. A good rule of thumb is to sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan until the skin develops a nice golden brown color. Though the chicken’s color certainly helps determine doneness, using a meat thermometer is the most foolproof way to check whether your chicken is ready. When done, your thermometer should register at least 160 degrees F. when inserted into the center of your cutlets. Prep everything before you start: This creamy chicken recipe comes together in a snap, with the entire recipe basically ready once you add the cream. Therefore, preparing the ingredients before you begin cooking will help eliminate kitchen stress and streamline the cooking process. Taste for seasoning: Before adding the chicken back into the pan, I highly suggest tasting your sauce for seasoning and adding more if necessary. This step is crucial because Parmesan cheese tends to have a salty profile, so it’s best to wait until you incorporate all the sauce’s primary ingredients before adding extra seasoning. Serve right away: Because of this recipe’s thick Parmesan sauce and succulent pan-seared chicken, it tastes best when still warm. Therefore, I don’t recommend letting the dish rest or cool before serving.
Oven-Baked Marry Me Chicken: For this oven-baked variation, cook your chicken cutlets separately in a preheated oven and, when ready, cut them into small chunks. Then, make the sauce on the stovetop and add the cooked chicken to the sauce at the last minute. You can also use leftover chicken if you don’t want to bake chicken from scratch. Lazy Marry Me Chicken: Though I don’t prefer using this method, it offers a great way to simplify this recipe, coming together with almost zero prep time. To make lazy marry me chicken, heat store-bought alfredo sauce, tomato pesto, and heavy cream on the stovetop. Then, cook frozen breaded chicken strips in the air fryer and, when ready, add the chicken to the mixed sauce. Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken: If you prefer to make this recipe in a pressure cooker, use the “saute” setting to sear the seasoned chicken on each side until browned. Then, remove the chicken and add the chicken stock, Italian herbs, and sun-dried tomatoes to the pot. Once mixed, re-add the seared chicken and cook the mixture on high pressure for ten minutes. After that, use the Instant Pot’s quick release, remove the chicken again, and return the cooker to its saute function. Add the Parmesan cheese and mix the sauce until it becomes smooth. When ready, add the chicken to the sauce once more and serve while warm.
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