30-Minute Marry Me Chicken Will Steal Your Heart

You know a recipe is special when it literally gets named after marriage proposals! That’s exactly what happened when Marry Me Chicken took over TikTok—one bite of this creamy sun-dried tomato skillet chicken, and apparently, people start swooning hard enough to pop the question. The first time I made it, my husband (who’s usually a man of few words when it comes to dinner) looked up halfway through his plate and said, “Wow. Just… wow.” Our kids? They practically licked their plates clean. I knew right then this 30-minute wonder was going into permanent rotation.

What makes it so magical? It’s weeknight-easy but tastes like something you’d order at a cozy Italian trattoria. Golden chicken simmers in this luscious cream sauce with pops of sweet-tart sun-dried tomatoes and garlic so fragrant it’ll make your whole kitchen smell like a romantic candle. The best part? One pan, zero fuss. Last Valentine’s Day, I skipped the fancy restaurant and made this instead—paired with some garlic bread and a simple salad, it was pure comfort-food heaven with way fewer dishes to wash afterward. Trust me, whether you’re cooking for your sweetheart or just treating yourself, this dish delivers serious “I love you” energy without any of the stress.

Why You’ll Love This Marry Me Chicken

Let me tell you why this recipe became my go-to “impress without stress” dinner. It’s not just the name that’s irresistible!

• Weeknight superhero: Ready in 30 minutes flat – faster than most meal delivery services can get to your door!
• One-pan wonder: Just like grandma’s old skillet meals (but way more romantic). Fewer dishes = more time for dessert.
• Creamy dreamy sauce: That combo of sun-dried tomatoes and garlic in cream sauce? Pure magic. You’ll want to drink it with a spoon.
• Date-night approved: I’ve served this to everything from first dates to anniversary dinners – always gets the “you made this?!” reaction.
• Meal prep friendly: The sauce reheats like a dream for tomorrow’s pasta lunch. Pro tip: make extra for meal planning!

Honestly though? The real reason is that first bite when the creamy, garlicky richness hits your tongue. That’s when you just get the name.

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Marry Me Chicken Ingredients

Gather these simple ingredients—most are pantry staples you probably already have! The magic happens when they all come together in that skillet.

• For the chicken:
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs total)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (or whatever oil you cook with)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper (don’t be shy here)
• For that swoon-worthy sauce:
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (I use the oil-packed ones—more flavor!)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tbsp from the jar if you’re in a pinch)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (half-and-half works in a pinch, but won’t be as luscious)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (water works in emergencies, but broth’s better)
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or mix of dried basil, oregano, thyme)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (the green can works, but fresh melts smoother)
• The finishing touch:
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped or torn (don’t skip this—it makes the flavors pop!)

See? Nothing fancy—just good, honest ingredients that turn into pure magic. If you’re gluten-free, this recipe is naturally safe (just check your broth label)!

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How to Make Marry Me Chicken

Okay, friends—let’s turn these simple ingredients into edible romance! This creamy skillet chicken comes together so fast, you’ll be amazed at how restaurant-worthy it tastes. Just follow these easy steps (and don’t skip scraping up those delicious browned bits from the pan—that’s flavor gold!).

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Heat olive oil in your favorite large skillet over medium heat. While it warms up, pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels (this helps them get that perfect golden crust!). Season both sides generously with salt and pepper—I use about ¾ teaspoon salt total. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side until gorgeously golden. Transfer to a plate and cover loosely with foil. Don’t worry—they’ll finish cooking later!

Step 2: Make the Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

In the same skillet (keep all those tasty bits!), toss in the sun-dried tomatoes and garlic. Stir for just 30 seconds until the garlic smells amazing—but don’t let it brown! Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, scraping the bottom with a wooden spoon to release all those flavorful browned bits. Stir in Italian seasoning and Parmesan. Watch as the cheese melts into the most velvety sauce you’ve ever seen!

Step 3: Simmer and Serve

Slide the chicken back into that luscious sauce. Let everything bubble gently for 4-5 minutes—the sauce will thicken slightly as it coats the back of a spoon. Turn off the heat, sprinkle with fresh basil, and prepare for compliments. Serve immediately over pasta or with crusty bread to soak up every drop. Warning: This dish may cause spontaneous declarations of love at your dinner table!

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Tips for Perfect Marry Me Chicken

After making this dish dozens of times (yes, my family requests it weekly!), here are my foolproof tricks for chicken that’ll make anyone weak in the knees:

• Dry chicken = golden crust: Always pat those breasts dry with paper towels before seasoning. Moisture is the enemy of a beautiful sear!
• Splurge on sun-dried tomatoes: The oil-packed ones in jars taste infinitely better than dry-packed. Save that oil for drizzling over pasta later!
• Sauce too thick? Stir in extra broth a tablespoon at a time—sometimes my cream reduces more than expected and this saves the day.
• Meal prep magic: Double the sauce and freeze half (without chicken) for lightning-fast dinners later. Just thaw, heat, and add fresh-cooked chicken.
• Don’t overcook! Chicken only needs 5 minutes in the sauce—it keeps cooking from residual heat. Nobody wants tough proposal chicken!

Bonus tip: If your skillet looks too dry after searing, add another splash of oil before the tomatoes and garlic—those flavorful bits need some lubrication to release properly!

Serving Suggestions for Marry Me Chicken

Oh, the possibilities! This creamy chicken shines with so many sides. My personal favorite? Toss it with fettuccine—those ruffled edges grab every drop of that dreamy sauce. No time to boil pasta? Grab a loaf of crusty bread for dunking (I may or may not have eaten it straight from the skillet with a chunk of sourdough once). For lighter nights, a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette cuts through the richness perfectly. Honestly, even those bagged salad kits from meal delivery services work in a pinch when you’re short on time. Just don’t skip the fresh basil garnish—those green flecks make it look as gorgeous as it tastes!

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Marry Me Chicken Variations

The beauty of this recipe? It’s like your favorite little black dress—easily dressed up or down depending on your mood! My teenage daughter swaps spinach for basil when she’s feeling “extra healthy,” while my spice-loving husband shakes in red pepper flakes for heat. Need it gluten-free? You’re already golden—just serve with zucchini noodles instead of pasta. Doing keto? Almond milk works for cream (though it’ll be thinner—toss in an extra tablespoon of Parmesan to thicken). Honestly, once you master the basic version, the flavor combos are endless. Last week I stirred in artichoke hearts and oh boy—new favorite twist unlocked!

Storage and Reheating

Good news—this Marry Me Chicken keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days, tucked in an airtight container. When reheating, do it low and slow on the stove with a splash of chicken broth to bring that creamy sauce back to life. I won’t lie—freezing’s tricky with cream sauces (they can separate), so I always recommend enjoying it fresh. But hey—leftovers rarely last that long in my house anyway!

Marry Me Chicken FAQs

Nutrition Information

Here’s the nutritional breakdown per serving (about 1 chicken breast with that luscious sauce):

• Calories: 450
• Fat: 28g (14g saturated)
• Protein: 40g
• Carbs: 8g
• Sugar: 4g

Just a friendly reminder – these numbers can wiggle a bit depending on your exact ingredients (like how much Parmesan you grate in or which brand of sun-dried tomatoes you use). But hey, when food tastes this good, who’s counting?

Marry Me Chicken

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Creamy sun-dried tomato skillet chicken ready in 30 minutes, perfect for a romantic weeknight dinner.

• Author: Carla Davis
• Prep Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 20 min
• Total Time: 30 min
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian
• Diet: Low Lactose

Ingredients

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• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add sun-dried tomatoes and garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
4. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir in Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese.
5. Return chicken to the skillet and simmer for 5 minutes until sauce thickens.
6. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.

Notes

• Serve over pasta or with crusty bread.
• For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 40g
• Cholesterol: 150mg