Marry Me Chicken - The Easiest Weeknight Dinner Recipe

Marry Me Chicken - The Ultimate Weeknight Dinner

Marry Me Chicken has become one of the most popular easy chicken dinner recipes for busy home cooks. This simple yet flavorful dish features juicy, tender chicken breasts cooked in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. It comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like you spent all day cooking in the kitchen. Keep reading to learn why Marry Me Chicken needs to be on your weekly rotation!

What is Marry Me Chicken?

Marry Me Chicken is a quick and easy chicken breast recipe that packs a ton of flavor. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are simmered in a sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, chicken broth, cream cheese, and Italian seasoning. The sauce perfectly compliments the chicken, giving it a slightly tangy, creamy flavor. As the chicken cooks, it absorbs the sauce, making it incredibly moist and tender. It's pure chicken breast perfection!

Marry Me Chicken Ingredients

This delicious meal comes together with just a handful of ingredients:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Olive oil
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Garlic
• Chicken broth
• Cream cheese
• Italian seasoning
• Parsley
• Parmesan cheese

That's it! Just 9 simple ingredients are all you need to make this restaurant-quality chicken dinner at home. The sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Italian seasoning give the sauce tons of big flavor without requiring too much effort.

How to Make Marry Me Chicken

This easy chicken skillet recipe comes together in just a few simple steps:

1. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until browned.
3. Remove the chicken and set aside. Add sun-dried tomatoes and garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute.
4. Stir in chicken broth, cream cheese, and Italian seasoning. Bring to a simmer.
5. Return the chicken to the skillet along with any juices. Spoon the sauce over the chicken.
6. Simmer for 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
7. Stir in chopped parsley and parmesan cheese.
8. Serve the chicken immediately with the sauce spooned over the top.

That's it! In less than 30 minutes you can have an amazing meal made. The sauce thickens into the perfect creamy texture as it simmers.

Tips for Making the Best Marry Me Chicken

Follow these tips for guaranteed chicken success:

• Pound the chicken breasts to an even 1/2 inch thickness so they cook evenly.
• Don't overcook the chicken. 10 minutes in the sauce is plenty to cook through without drying out.
• Use good quality sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil for the best flavor.
• Stir the sauce frequently to prevent sticking and burning.
• Simmer on low heat for the best texture. High heat will break the sauce.
• Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving so the juices redistribute.

What to Serve with Marry Me Chicken

This savory chicken goes great with so many sides! Here are some delicious options:

• Rice or pasta - soaks up the tasty sauce.
• Roasted vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or cauliflower.
• A fresh green salad or spinach salad.
• Garlic bread or breadsticks.
• Mashed or roasted potatoes.

You really can't go wrong pairing this chicken with just about any vegetable or starch. The possibilities are endless!

Marry Me Chicken Variations

Once you master the classic recipe, try out these tasty variations:

• Use different protein - Swap in shrimp or thinly sliced pork.
• Add veggies - Stir in mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach.
• Swap herbs - Use basil, oregano, or rosemary instead.
• Make it spicy - Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
• Use goat cheese - Substitute goat cheese for a tangy twist.

Feel free to get creative and customize this recipe to your tastes! Any veggies, proteins, herbs and spices are fair game.

Why You'll Love Marry Me Chicken

Here's why this recipe has become so popular:

• It's quick - Ready in under 30 minutes!
• It's easy - Simple ingredients and steps.
• It's flexible - Easily adapts to what you have.
• It's delicious - Tender, juicy chicken in an incredible sauce.
• It's satisfying - Makes an easy, complete meal.

This recipe checks all the boxes. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want an impressive chicken dinner on the table fast. The sauce is so good, your family will beg you to make it again and again!

Frequently Asked Questions

What goes best with Marry Me Chicken?

Rice, pasta, roasted vegetables, and salads pair excellently with Marry Me Chicken. Garlic bread or breadsticks are also a great accompaniment to soak up the delicious sauce.

How long does Marry Me Chicken take to make?

From start to finish, this recipe takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. The active cooking time is only about 15 minutes.

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

Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil work best for the flavor of the sauce. You could try reconstituting dried tomatoes in water first if you need to make substitutions.

Can I make Marry Me Chicken in the slow cooker?

Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe for the slow cooker. Cook the chicken on low heat for 4-6 hours with the sauce ingredients until tender.

Is Marry Me Chicken spicy?

The classic recipe has just a hint of background warmth from the sun-dried tomatoes. To make it spicy, add crushed red pepper flakes or hot sauce to taste.

Make Marry Me Chicken For Dinner Tonight

If you're looking for an easy, flavorful chicken dinner recipe, look no further than Marry Me Chicken. This simple skillet dish delivers tender, juicy chicken smothered in an incredible sun-dried tomato cream sauce. With just a handful of ingredients and 30 minutes, you can have a restaurant-worthy meal on the table any night of the week. Give this recipe a try and get ready for your new family favorite chicken!

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Chicken thighs would work well in this recipe too. Just increase the cooking time by 5-10 minutes since thighs take longer to cook than breasts.

What can I do if I don't have sun-dried tomatoes?

You can substitute an equal amount of roasted red peppers, tomato paste, or diced tomatoes. The flavor will be slightly different but still tasty.

Do I need to pound the chicken breasts?

Pounding helps the chicken cook evenly, but you can skip it if you're short on time. The breasts may just take a few extra minutes to cook through.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute gluten-free pasta or rice for the regular versions if you need a gluten-free meal.

Can I prep this ahead of time?

You can prep all the ingredients ahead but don't make the full recipe until ready to cook. Store the chicken and sauce ingredients separately.