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    Marry Me Chicken

    Updated July 24, 2025 / By Holly Erickson & Natalie Mortimer

    Succulent chicken breasts, sun-dried tomatoes, and a luscious cream sauce — our easy marry me chicken recipe is simply the best one-pan dinner out there!

    marry me chicken in a pan with a wooden spoon made with cream, chicken stock, chicken bouillon, parmesan, garlic, and spices
    Photography by Gayle McLeod

    Marry Me Chicken is a quick and easy chicken breast recipe — we’re talking a wow-worthy dinner on the table in 30 minutes — with herbs, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and heavy cream. Legend has it, a few magazine food editors were testing this recipe, when one said it was so delicious that they would literally marry it, if they could! Then, in 2023, Marry Me Chicken went viral on TikTok, and many variations appeared. We’re not sure that our marry me chicken recipe will land you an engagement, but it will win you rave reviews!

    If you love easy, creamy, one-pan chicken recipes like our easy Marry Me chicken, check out our next-level Marry Me Chicken Pasta, Creamy Tarragon Chicken and Chicken à la King, too. And for more marry me fun, try our Marry Me Salmon.

    olive oil, chicken, salt, garlic, cream, chicken stock & bouillon, parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and spices on the counter

    Ingredients For Our Marry Me Chicken Recipe

    • Chicken breasts - We use boneless, skinless here, but boneless, skinless thighs also work. Feel free to pound the chicken breast a little thinner so they cook more quickly and evenly.

    • Garlic - 3 cloves is what we call for, but as always 1-2 will be plenty, but there's always room for 4-6 if you love garlic.

    • Heavy cream - We don't recommend subbing the heavy cream here. It's what creates the luscious, creamy sauce.

    • Parmesan cheese - This will also help thicken and flavor the sauce. We always recommend freshly grated, because the pre-grated has anti clumping agents in it that will not melt in with your sauce as well.

    • Sun-dried tomatoes - These are gonna get chopped up, so feel free to get the halves if you want, also we love the ones packed in oil.

    • Italian seasoning - If you don't have this on hand, you can always swap with a little dried thyme.

    • Chicken stock - Store bought or homemade, both work well.

    • Chicken bouillon - We like “Better Than Bouillon” or you could use 1 chicken bouillon cube, crushed.

    • Red pepper flakes (optional) - This just adds a little heat, skip it if you want.

    • Salt, pepper and olive oil

    • Fresh basil - You could also top with some fresh minced parsley if that's all you have on hand, but we love the taste of fresh basil, nothing compares.

    chicken breasts seasoned with salt being seared in olive oil in a skillet
    garlic, heavy cream, chicken stock, bouillon, parmesan, sun dried tomatoes and spices being cooked in a skillet

    How To Make The Best Marry Me Chicken

    1. Brown the chicken breasts in a bit of oil in a large skillet (affiliate link) just until they’re a little crispy on the outside (they don’t need to be cooked through at this point). Set them aside.

    2. Make the creamy Marry Me Chicken sauce. Sauté a bit of garlic, stir in heavy cream, stock, bouillon, Parmesan, sun dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes.

    3. Add the chicken to the sauce. Tongs (affiliate link) are your friend! Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, and cook until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer (affiliate link).

    4. Serve Marry Me Chicken over comforting carbs, like Creamy Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, or try with Classic Mashed Potatoes. People love to have Marry Me Chicken with pasta, too — try serving it over spaghetti or Linguine. For more easy weeknight chicken recipes to mix up your routine, try our Rosemary Chicken or hearty Stuffed Chicken Breasts!

    marry me chicken cooking in a skillet made with garlic, cream, parmesan, Italian seasoning and sun-dried tomatoes

    What People Are Saying About This Recipe

    • This recipe is absolutely amazing! Soooo good. It tasted like we were at a top rated Italian restaurant. We had it with the garlic roasted potatoes and it was definitely a favorite! Will make this next time we have company! - Kris

    • Wonderful dish! There are a lot of Marry Me Chicken recipes floating around, all similar, but this one looked the best to me, especially with the addition of red pepper flakes. I made the right choice in recipes. - Diane

    • I absolutely loved it and so did my dinner guests. Easy to follow recipe with no fuss. Once I had combined all the ingredients together I cooked mine in my slow cooker, it was absolutely delicious, and went great with the mashed potato. This will become one of my favorite dinner party main course recipes. - Elaine

    marry me chicken in a pan with a wooden spoon made with cream, chicken stock, chicken bouillon, parmesan, garlic, and spices

    More Delicious Chicken Breast Recipes

    We make A LOT of chicken in our own homes. Here are 4 of our favorite chicken breast recipes, but you can also find more inspiration in our 60 Best Chicken Breast Recipes roundup.

    Say ‘Yes’ To Our Marry Me Chicken & Keep Going!

    For more recipe inspiration, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest or order our cookbook. We love when you share your meals. Tag us on Instagram using #themodernproper. Happy cooking!

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    Marry Me Chicken Recipe

    Updated July 24, 2025

    By Holly Erickson & Natalie Mortimer

    • Serves:  4
    • Prep Time:  15 min
    • Cook Time:  30 min
    • Calories:  419
    Print Recipe
    Related Recipes

    Description

    Succulent chicken breasts, sun-dried tomatoes, and a luscious cream sauce — our easy marry me chicken recipe is simply the best one-pan dinner out there!

    Ingredients

    • 4 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts, about 2 pounds
    • 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
    • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
    • 3 garlic cloves, minced
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • ½ cup chicken stock
    • 1 teaspoon chicken flavor “Better Than Bouillon”, or 1 chicken bouillon cube
    • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
    • 1 (7-ounce) jar sun-dried tomatoes, drained and roughly chopped
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
    • ¼ cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
    • Cooked pasta or mashed potatoes, for serving (optional)

    Method

    1. Pat the chicken dry. Season all over with 1 teaspoon of the salt.

      olive oil, chicken, salt, garlic, cream, chicken stock & bouillon, parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and spices on the counter

    2. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is glistening, add the chicken and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.

      chicken breasts seasoned with salt being seared in olive oil in a skillet

    3. To the same skillet, add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in heavy cream, chicken stock, bouillon, ¼ cup of the parmesan cheese, sun dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, pepper, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, and remaining ½ teaspoon salt until combined.

      garlic, heavy cream, chicken stock, bouillon, parmesan, sun dried tomatoes and spices being cooked in a skillet

    4. Return the chicken to the skillet. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium low. Cook until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer, about 5-8 more minutes.

      marry me chicken cooking in a skillet made with garlic, cream, parmesan, Italian seasoning and sun-dried tomatoes

    5. Top the chicken with basil, remaining ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, and remaining red pepper flakes. Serve over pasta or mashed potatoes, if desired.

      marry me chicken cooking in a skillet made with garlic, cream, parmesan, Italian seasoning and sun-dried tomatoes

    Nutrition Info

    • Per Serving
    • Amount
    • Calories 419
    • Protein 55 g
    • Carbohydrates 7 g
    • Total Fat 18 g
    • Dietary Fiber 1 g
    • Cholesterol 181 mg
    • Sodium 605 mg
    • Total Sugars 3 g

    Marry Me Chicken

    Questions & Reviews

    Rated 5 stars by 105 readers

    or
    • Kate

      Anything I could substitute in place of the chicken bouillon to maintain the flavor?

      Hi Kate, You could use a bouillon cube or powdered bouillon but we recommend using some sort of bouillon so you don't lose any flavor.

    • Tayler

      How much is a serving?

      A serving size would be one of the chicken breasts. sorry we don't have an exact sauce measurement at this time.

    • Sherrill

      Can you substitute capers for salt

      You are welcome to add capers but we don't recommend using them in place of salt.

    • Sandra

      Can I substitute whole milk for the heavy cream?

      The sauce will not be quite as thick and creamy but it will work out ok.

    • Lorraine

      Can this recipe be frozen and then cooked in the slow cooker. Would the cream split.

      We haven't tried it but we thin if you thaw it in the fridge first it should be ok. You might want to check on it and stir it a few times through out the reheating process in the slow cooker.

    • Marilyn

      Sorry, I just saw that you answered that question. But I would like to know if I could make the sauce ahead of time and refrigerate. Then just before my guests arrive, I could brown the chicken, put it in a oven safe dish and warm it in the oven until the chicken reaches 165. Do you recommend this or should I make the entire dish and reheat. I just don't want the chicken to be dry.

      Make the entire dish then reheat. You never watch to half cook chicken then continue cooking it later. Always fully cook chicken then reheat. Hope you enjoy!

    • Paige

      I'm very excited to try this recipe for Christmas! Can I make anything ahead of time? Thanks!

      You can make it in advance and store it in an air tight container in the fridge. To reheat, you can gently warm it on the stovetop until the chicken reaches 165F internal temperature again. You might need to add some water or cream to loosen the sauce.

    • Natalie

      Can I cook this in the oven?

      Sure!

    • Hayley

      What if you dont have Parmesan what other cheese can you use ?

      We think Parmesan is best, it could be subbed for romano but it will change the flavor a bit.

    • Samantha

      Can I substitute the chicken breast for skinless boneless chicken thighs?

      Yes, cook time might take a bit longer though so make sure to check the temp before serving.

    • Nancy

      5-star rating

      This recipe is delicious! I did half heavy cream and half half-and-half, and it turned out great. Just let it rest for a few minutes and it will thicken up very nicely. The only thing I will do next time is eliminate the salt altogether. I feel between the Parmesan cheese and the sun-dried tomatoes, that would allow me to eliminate the salt. Will definitely make this recipe again!

      Thanks Nancy, so glad you loved it!

    • Erin

      5-star rating

      Amazing! My 2 year old loved it too. So easy to throw together. Cant wait to make again

      Thanks Erin, we are so glad you all loved it!

    • Michelle

      5-star rating

      Delicious! I wouldn't change anything!

      Thanks Michelle, we are so happy you loved it!

    • murray

      5-star rating

      swe

    • Jules

      5-star rating

      WOW. This was very good. Lives up to the name, but was also so good to make in one pan. Very easy to clean up and cook. I use lao gan ma crispy chilli oil bc we have no red pepper flakes, and I think that was nice with it.

      Thanks, we are so happy you loved it!

    • Lisa

      5-star rating

      I'm so hungry after reading the recipe and cooking directions.

      haha you'll be very happy after you eat it. This is one of our favorites!

    • Christal

      5-star rating

      I have made this recipe so many times I have lost count. I sear the breasts in the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes packed in herb oil. This gives the sauce a nice herb flavor and color. Sometimes I throw in some fresh spinach or even frozen peas. I serve it with about everything! Spinach linguini tossed with EVO, toasted pine nuts and fresh grated parmesan, or sometimes with a side of couscous. Everyone asks for the recipe. It is easy to make and presents so beautifully. Great recipe.

      Thanks Christal, we are so glad you love it!

    • Cait

      5-star rating

      Delicious! I was struggling to make a dinner plan tonight and landed on this at the 11th hour. I didn't have parm on hand so just left it out and we didn't miss it! Made with mashed potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts and was v pleased w myself

      Thanks Cait, we are so glad you loved it!

    • Jackie

      5-star rating

      Just cooked it for dinner. Very good even the kids enjoyed it.

      Thanks Jackie, so happy to hear the whole family loved it!

    • Marilyn

      5-star rating

      Absolutely the best Marry Me Chicken recipe out there! My family loves it!

      Thanks Marilyn, we are so happy your family loves our recipe!

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