Marry Me Chicken Recipe (2024)

By Naz Deravian

Updated Dec. 12, 2023

Marry Me Chicken Recipe (1)

Total Time
1 hour
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
50 minutes
Rating
4(9,151)
Notes
Read community notes

This cozy dish, whichwent viral on TikTok with claims that if you prepare it for someone, you will end up getting married, features boneless chicken breasts nestled in a creamy, tomato-y sauce. With wedding bells in mind or not, this dish comes together fairly quickly and is just as great for entertaining as it is for a family meal. In this version, the addition of tomato paste adds a bright acidity to the rich cream sauce and complements the sun-dried tomatoes. Serve with crusty bread to sop up all the juices as well as tangy green salad to balance out the sauce’s richness. Or, try it over pasta,rice orpolenta.

Featured in: The Chicken That Might Put a Ring on It

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

  • 3large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, or 6 chicken cutlets (about 2¼ pounds total), patted dry
  • Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal) and black pepper
  • ¼cup all-purpose flour
  • 3tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
  • 3tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1tablespoon tomato paste
  • ½teaspoon dried oregano
  • Red-pepper flakes, to taste
  • 1cup low-sodium chicken stock
  • ½ to ¾cup heavy cream
  • ½cup (1½ ounces) grated Parmesan
  • cup sliced sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil
  • Fresh basil, for serving

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    If using chicken breasts, start from the thickest end and slice each chicken breast in half horizontally so you end up with a total of 6 cutlets (see Tip). Season both sides of the chicken cutlets well with salt and pepper.

  2. Step

    2

    Scatter the flour on a large plate and coat the cutlets, shaking off the excess. Transfer the cutlets to a sheet pan or large plate in a single layer.

  3. Step

    3

    Heat the oil in a large pan over medium-high. Once hot, reduce the heat to medium and add the butter. As soon as it melts, add the cutlets and cook until golden on one side, about 5 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook the other side until golden, 4 to 5 minutes. Do this in batches, if needed, adding more oil, if needed. Transfer the cutlets to a plate or sheet pan.

  4. Reduce the heat to low, add the garlic and cook, stirring often, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste, stirring until the color deepens, about 2 minutes. Add the oregano and red-pepper flakes, to taste. Increase the heat to medium, add the stock and bring to a simmer, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan, until the liquid is reduced by half, about 5 minutes.

  5. Step

    5

    Add ½ cup of the cream and warm through, stirring, until it thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Watch the cream closely, reducing the heat if necessary, to maintain a gentle simmer. Stir in the Parmesan and the sun-dried tomatoes. Add more cream, if you like, and season the sauce. Place the chicken back in the pan to warm through, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and scatter basil on top.

Tip

  • To make it easier to slice into cutlets, place the chicken breasts in the freezer for 20 minutes.

Ratings

4

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9,151

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

cd1600

I have been making this for years. I pound my chicken cutlets and by the time it’s done they’re are falling apart tender. I add a lot more broth and thicken it with the flour from the chicken. I also add a half pound of cooked pasta and a lot of raw baby spinach at the end - it melts from the heat and makes this a true one pot meal. I always have enough for at least 2 nights!!

amanda v

Made this tonight. Didn’t have cream so used whole milk and some flour to thicken. We don’t like SDT so I used a can of petite diced tomatoes drained and it was delicious. Served it over rice. Was very good, easy and came together quickly. Marry me tho? Maybe not lol. Sleep with me, maybe haha.

Souad Sharabani

You don't need to use that much oil & butter to make this dish, 1/2 the amount is sufficient . You can also use milk, or coconut milk instead of cream

Ash

Add a finely diced shallot when you add the garlic, you won’t regret it.

Curt Conklin

In college we used to joke that every fella needed to know how to make a creamy chicken dish for serving a first-time dine-over date. It didn't matter the recipe, but we all called it Chicken Seducto. This qualifies!

Degustibus Dan

Deglaze with a shot (or two) of vodka after cooking the tomato paste (double that too) and the dish becomes pretty classic vodka sauce.

Donna

Wondering if you could use greek yogurt instead of heavy cream to cut back on the fat content?

Lindsay

Sub the dairy for sour cream, add some onions, serve it with spaetzle or other dumpling and you’ve got chicken paprikash. Yes, my spouse we would remarry me for this.

Stephanie T

This was really good, and the leftovers reheated well and made a great lunch! I did make some modifications based on some notes. After browning the chicken, I sautéed some mushrooms until nicely browned, removed from pan and then sautéed some finely diced shallots and garlic until soft. Added the tomato paste and after a few minutes deglazed with a splash of vodka. once that cooked off, I added the broth and followed the rest of recipe, adding the mushrooms along with the chicken in that step.

Katie

This recipe nearly caused a divorce in my household as my boyfriend got so mad at the amount of oil I had splattered everywhere. Also I used chicken thighs as it was the only thing I had in the fridge. Frankly the outcome was a little gross, between the fattiness of the thighs and the creaminess of the sauce. I know, none of this is the fault of the recipe, but I guess my advice is don't use thighs and get a boyfriend who doesn't hover over you while you cook.

Christina

As a newlywed, my first dish was this! I added extra red pepper flakes for more heat, and doubled the amount of sun dried tomatoes for extra tangy-ness. I also threw some basil into the sauce after removing the pan from heat, as well as extra for garnish. Came out great!

steve rayman

Threw some vermouth in to deglaze the pan.

JG in Florence

I made this as written. It was very tasty and the whole family enjoyed it, and I liked the overall technique in the recipe. The sauce was yummy mopped up with bread.That said, I doubt me or my partner would have been impressed by this kind of food. Butter, cream and parmesan on chicken is rich. It's good, but if we want to splurge, we'd rather do it on something else!

SophiaSprinkles

So if it’s like a curry but without spices and with sun dried tomatoes, it’s nothing like a curry. *shrugs*

beepboop

I always put toasted garlic breadcrumbs on top, with a little bit of cumin. It's my version of curry not curry!

Carrie Anderson

My father in law declared this the best favored chicken he’s ever eaten. Made as written, would reduce the salt a bit next time.

Jocelyn

I made it without the cream and it was still delicious! I used a Dutch oven so not too messy at all.

Brenda

This was very good! I made as written except used half & half in place of the cream and added a small, chopped shallot with the garlic. Could probably cut the butter back a bit. Served with some orzo pasta. Delicious, will make again!

Holly S.

We made this the other night and indeed, my husband said YES to my proposal! It was THAT good! I only used the 1/2 cup heavy cream though and perhaps due to my limited use of flour, it left a nice sauce for us. We didn't serve over any rice/pasta or polenta so the sauce was the right amount. Any more would have been creamy soup with chicken. Note this if you choose to make this with just a side of veggies and no accompanying carb.

Abby

I made this dish with a side of rice for my partner today and he loved it. I followed the instructions to the T, but replaced the tomato paste with tomato sauce since I didn't have any in the pantry. It still turned out delicious.

Steven E.

I pounded the chicken, added green beans and chopped broccoli, and served it over paella rice. It was a tasty and easy weeknight meal.

Louise

Partner said it was okay. Tasted like margherita pizza without the dough. I thought it tasted better before I added the parmegiano. Will likely make again without the chicken.

Amy

I made this, but vegan style. Used tofu (froze it first) instead of chicken, subbed vegan cream and part. It was delicious. Thank you!

TraceyF

So very easy and delicious! Very rich. I'll make this again for company.

Donna Brassard

Made it according to recipe and it was awesome, but I think there are many options you can add or change as the other commenters have noted. It’s a keeper!

Laura Gemery

yum altho not very healthy; I used half & half instead....but why not just go for it!?

Todd W

I used thighs, and since I was cooking for a large crowd, I doubled the recipe. I moved the pan fried thighs to a baking dish in a 350° oven since that step took so long. This made sure the thighs were cooked through and made them more tender with a little longer cooking time. The result was a hit although this was a lot more involved than I thought it would be, and it took me a lot longer than 1 hour. :)

Steven Yanas

Me and my new girlfriend have been curiously anxious about the new steps forward in our blossoming relationship. In this anxiety one of the biggest hurdles was our relatability in cuisines. Not anymore! Not only did this meal bring us closer but it perhaps sealed the deal (fingers crossed). Marry me chicken? ya right, more like Marry me Today Chicken!

Kathleen G.

Almost 48 years ago I made Aglio e Olio (spaghetti with oil and garlic) for man I'd met the day before at a road race. We've been together ever since. I made it last night and while it was good, I wouldn't put it in the Marry Me category. I did add more garlic-8 cloves (really, Naz, 3 cloves for almost 3 pounds of chicken), 2 TBS paste, 2 cups chicken stock and about a cup of my home grown sun dried tomatoes. I served it over spaghetti with a salad. Not sure if I would make again.

Jody

Served over jasmine rice. Boyfriend and I don’t plan on marrying, but this dish? It’s incredible just the way it is. Do nothing but enjoy it.

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Marry Me Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is marry me chicken made of? ›

Marry me chicken is sautéed chicken in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. You can serve it with pasta as suggested or on its own.

What can I use instead of sun-dried tomatoes? ›

Best Sun-dried Tomato Substitutes
  1. Quick Oven-Roasted Tomatoes. Quick oven-roasted tomatoes, also known as semi-dried tomatoes, are a great option to use in place of sun-dried tomatoes. ...
  2. Tomato Puree. ...
  3. Fresh Tomatoes. ...
  4. Tomato Powder. ...
  5. Canned Tomatoes. ...
  6. Homemade Sun-dried Tomatoes.
Oct 6, 2023

What temperature is chicken done at? ›

All poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F (73.9 °C) as measured with a food thermometer. A whole chicken must reach this temperature throughout the bird. Check the internal temperature in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast.

Which is the tastiest chicken dish in the world? ›

Butter chicken, also known as Murgh Makhani, has recently claimed the top spot in the "Top 100 Chicken Dishes in the World" list by TasteAtlas, (an online guide for traditional food) solidifying its place as a global culinary sensation.

Can I use chicken broth instead of chicken stock? ›

In most cases, stock and broth are interchangeable. If you're in the soup aisle and can't remember whether the recipe called for stock or broth, either will do for making soup, gravy, or a flavorful pot of rice or grains. Keep in mind that stock is unseasoned, and broth is seasoned.

Can I use normal tomatoes instead of sun-dried tomatoes? ›

Canned tomatoes would make for a particularly good substitute in pizza sauce, pasta sauce, or tomato soup recipes that call for sun-dried tomatoes. Like bell peppers, canned tomatoes also tend to be cheaper than sun-dried tomatoes, so you shouldn't hesitate to grab a can or two the next time you go grocery shopping.

Should I soak sun-dried tomatoes before use? ›

However, if you do need them soft you can rehydrate by soaking in either warm water or good quality oil (olive oil is most common) for about 10 minutes. Salads and Sandwiches: Rehydrate the tomatoes by marinating in a bit of salad dressing then enjoy tomatoes in your salad in the winter or on a sandwich.

Is slightly pink chicken okay? ›

Color is not a reliable indicator of safety or doneness. Safely cooked poultry can vary in color from white to pink to tan. All poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F (73.9°C) as measured with a food thermometer.

When to pull chicken off a smoker? ›

Keep an eye on your chicken while it is on the smoker. Remove the chicken breast when the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F (remember to stick your meat thermometer in the thickest portion of the meat), then allow the meat to come to 165 while tented with foil.

Does chicken continue to cook while resting? ›

According to Morocco, the temperature of a whole cooked chicken can increase 10° at rest, so it's best to pull it from the heat source at 155°. In smaller cuts, like a chicken breast, the heat will increase by only about 5°, so remove them from the heat source when they reach 160°.

What is the healthiest thing to cook chicken with? ›

Poached Chicken

Poaching is great because it adds virtually no fat to your food, yet yields subtle flavour and moisture. To poach your chicken, add your ingredients (chicken and any other vegetables, aromatics, and spices you like) to a skillet or pot, and add a cooking liquid such as broth, wine, or coconut milk.

What carbs go well with chicken? ›

What to Eat With Fried Chicken?
  • Sweet Potatoes. Next time, you have to try sweet potatoes if you are looking for the perfect side dishes that go well with your fried chicken. ...
  • Macaroni Salad. ...
  • Cornbread. ...
  • Potato Salad. ...
  • French Fries. ...
  • Green Salad. ...
  • Summer Salad. ...
  • Baked Beans.

What is synthetic chicken made of? ›

Cell- cultured meats are grown in a lab from cells taken from animals or their fertilized eggs. The cultivated cells are mixed with other ingredients (fats, sugars, amino acids, and possibly growth factors and hormones) and grown in labs in stainless-steel tanks.

What is the name of the fake chicken meat? ›

Cultured meat, also known as cultivated meat among other names, is a form of cellular agriculture where meat is produced by culturing animal cells in vitro. Cultured meat is produced using tissue engineering techniques pioneered in regenerative medicine.

What is the name of the fake chicken? ›

Is there any chicken equivalent in vegetarian food? frys chicken schitzel, frys chicken strips, Quorn chicken nuggets, quorn schnitzels, fry's chicken nuggets, compressed chinese bean products, tofu can be made into chicken style products. Seitan can be made into chicken style products.

Where does fake chicken come from? ›

Vegan chicken is more sustainable, and healthier, and it's made primarily from plant-based products. These include vital wheat gluten, soy protein, pea protein, tofu, and jackfruit, which are rich in protein, calcium, fiber, and sodium—making the substitutes a perfect supplement for real meat.

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