Marry Me Chicken Recipe - Creamy Tuscan Chicken Breasts

An Introduction to Marry Me Chicken

Marry Me Chicken is a delicious Tuscan-inspired chicken breast recipe that has been gaining popularity online recently. As the name suggests, it's so tasty that you'll want to "marry" it! This easy chicken dinner comes together quickly with simple ingredients like chicken breasts, cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic, basil, and Parmesan cheese.

What Makes Marry Me Chicken So Good

There are a few key things that take this recipe for baked chicken breasts over the top in terms of flavor:

• The combination of cream cheese and sun-dried tomatoes gives the sauce a rich, tangy flavor
• Italian seasoning and garlic infuse the chicken and sauce with aromatic flavor
• Fresh basil adds a pop of herby freshness
• Parmesan cheese baked into the top keeps the chicken extra moist and tender

The result is a protein-packed dinner with juicy chicken smothered in a creamy, decadent sauce. It's easy to see why people can't get enough of this recipe!

Nutrition & Benefits of Marry Me Chicken

Aside from being totally delicious, Marry Me Chicken also offers some nice health benefits. Chicken breast is loaded with protein but lower in fat and calories than options like beef or pork. By baking instead of frying, this recipe avoids extra oil or breading, keeping it light. The fresh herbs and tomatoes also pack this chicken dinner full of flavor without lots of salt, sugar, or preservatives.

Marry Me Chicken is not only satisfyingly tasty, but good for you too. It makes for a well-balanced weeknight dinner that doesn't sacrifice any flavor. You'll feel full and energized after eating it, not weighed down or sluggish.

How to Make Marry Me Chicken

Cooking up a pan of this cheesy Tuscan chicken at home is simple. With just 10 main ingredients and a handful of basic kitchen tools, you'll have this baked chicken breast recipe on the table in under an hour. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts
• Cream cheese
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Italian seasoning
• Garlic
• Basil
• Parmesan cheese
• Salt
• Pepper
• Olive oil

Steps

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place chicken breasts in a baking dish.
2. In a separate bowl, mix together the cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic, basil, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the top of each chicken breast.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
5. Let cool 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with extra basil or Parmesan if desired.
6. Enjoy your tasty Marry Me Chicken!

Tips & Variations

Part of what makes this recipe for creamy Tuscan chicken so fun is experimenting with different flavors. Feel free to tweak ingredients to suit your tastes - use cherry tomatoes instead of sun-dried, try different fresh herbs like oregano or rosemary, add red pepper flakes for a kick, or stir in wilted spinach.

You can also easily double or triple the recipe as needed for meal prepping or serving a crowd. Simply use more chicken and adjust baking times accordingly. Serve Marry Me Chicken alongside pasta, rice, veggies, or salads for a complete and satisfying dinner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Marry Me Chicken spicy?

Marry Me Chicken has a lovely Tuscan flavor from the sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic, and basil, but it is not spicy on its own. However, you can easily add red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the cream cheese mixture if you want to give it some heat.

What sides go well with Marry Me Chicken?

This chicken goes great with rice, pasta, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad. Garlic bread or cheese biscuits would also be a tasty accompaniment! For low-carb diets, try serving it over zucchini noodles instead of pasta.

How long does Marry Me Chicken keep in the fridge?

Leftover Marry Me Chicken will keep fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. Reheat gently before serving again.

Can I use different cheese?

Feel free to experiment with different cheeses! Mozzarella, fontina, goat cheese, and Gruyère would all be delicious melty options instead of or in addition to the Parmesan.

What's the best way to reheat this chicken dish?

The best way to reheat leftover Marry Me Chicken is in a 300°F oven for 10-15 minutes until hot in the center. Microwaving can make the chicken and sauce rubbery. Gently reheating it on the stovetop while stirring occasionally also works well.

Enjoy Restaurant-Quality Chicken at Home

Marry Me Chicken truly earns its swoon-worthy name. This easy baked chicken breast recipe impresses with its zesty, creamy flavor in every bite - with way less effort than dining out. Making this restaurant-quality Tuscan chicken at home saves money while letting you control the ingredients.

Serve up this creamy, cheesy chicken and get ready for the proposals and demands for second helpings. With tender protein, tomatoes, herbs, and cheese in perfect harmony, Marry Me Chicken makes for a sensational weeknight dinner. Get ready to say "I do!" to your new favorite chicken dish.

FAQs

Can I cook Marry Me Chicken on the stove or grill instead?

Absolutely! You can sauté the chicken in a skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat until fully cooked, then top with the sauce and finish cooking a few more minutes. Grilling the chicken breasts first before topping with the sauce would also work wonderfully.

What kind of cream cheese works best?

We recommend using regular full-fat cream cheese for the best flavor and texture. Low-fat or fat-free cream cheese may cause the sauce to separate or curdle when baked.

Can I use chicken tenders instead of breasts?

Chicken tenders can work but will cook faster than full chicken breasts - watch the cooking time closely and check for doneness early so they don't overcook.

Can I meal prep this Marry Me Chicken?

Yes! Fully cook and assemble the chicken in baking dishes as directed. Once cooled, cover and store containers in the fridge for up to 4 days before reheating and enjoying again.