Marry Me Chicken

A recipe that earns its name.

Tender chicken simmered in a rich, creamy sauce infused with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, herbs, and parmesan. Finished with fresh basil and spooned generously over fluffy white rice. It’s comforting, indulgent, and somehow still simple enough for a weeknight.

“Marry Me Chicken” has become one of those recipes people whisper about, share with friends, and save for special moments. And once you make it, you’ll understand why.

Why This Recipe Is So Loved

There’s nothing complicated here and that’s exactly the point.

This dish works because it layers familiar flavors in the right way. The sauce is creamy but balanced. The garlic is present but not sharp. The sun-dried tomatoes bring sweetness and depth without overwhelming the dish. And the parmesan melts into everything, giving the sauce body and richness.

It’s the kind of meal that feels celebratory without requiring a celebration.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 tablespoon butter

• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper

For the Sauce:

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced

• 1 cup chicken broth

• 1 cup heavy cream

• ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• ½ teaspoon dried thyme

To Finish:

• Fresh basil, torn or sliced

• Cooked white rice, for serving

How to Make Beef Skewers with Peanut Sauce:

Step 1: Sear the Chicken
Season both sides of the chicken generously with salt and pepper.

Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken and sear for 4–5 minutes per side, until golden brown. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked at this stage.

Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

Step 2: Build the Flavor Base
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.

Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and let them warm through, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, that’s where the flavor lives.

Step 3: Create the Sauce
Pour in the chicken broth, stirring to deglaze the pan completely.

Lower the heat slightly and add the heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and dried thyme. Stir until combined, then let the sauce simmer gently for 3–5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.

Step 4: Add Parmesan and Chicken
Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.

Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Spoon the sauce over the chicken, cover, and simmer for 10–12 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

Step 5: Finish and Serve
Remove from heat and garnish generously with fresh basil.

Serve hot over white rice, spooning plenty of sauce over each portion.

Why This Sauce Works

The magic of this recipe is in the balance.

Heavy cream gives richness, but chicken broth keeps it from feeling too heavy. Parmesan thickens the sauce naturally without needing flour or cornstarch. Sun-dried tomatoes bring sweetness and umami, while thyme and Italian seasoning add warmth and familiarity.

Nothing competes. Everything complements.

It’s indulgent without being overwhelming, the hallmark of a truly great comfort dish.

Sun-Dried Tomatoes: The Secret Ingredient

Sun-dried tomatoes are what give this dish its signature flavor.

They add a concentrated sweetness and depth that fresh tomatoes just can’t replicate. As they simmer in the cream sauce, they soften and release their oils, infusing the entire dish.

If you’re using oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, you can even use a little of that oil to add extra flavor when sautéing the garlic.

Why White Rice Is the Perfect Pair

This is not the time for a complicated side.

White rice is simple, neutral, and exactly what this sauce needs. It absorbs the creamy sauce, balances the richness, and lets the chicken stay center stage.

You can absolutely serve this with pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread but white rice keeps the dish grounded and comforting.

Make It Your Own

This recipe is flexible and forgiving. A few easy variations:

• Add red pepper flakes for a little heat

• Stir in spinach at the end for freshness

• Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for extra juiciness

• Swap white rice for orzo or mashed potatoes

Once you’ve made it once, it becomes a dish you instinctively adapt.

Storage & Leftovers

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days

• Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave with a splash of broth or cream

• The sauce thickens as it sits, which honestly makes it even better

This is one of those meals that tastes just as good (if not better) the next day.

Why This Is a One Pot Pia Staple

This recipe is everything One Pot Pia stands for. It’s:

• Comforting but elevated

• Simple but intentional

• Familiar but special

It’s a dish you make when you want to slow down, cook something that feels generous, and sit down to a meal that actually feels like a moment.

Final Thoughts

Marry Me Chicken isn’t about trends or viral recipes. It’s about flavor, comfort, and confidence in simple ingredients.

It’s the kind of dish you make when you want to impress without stress, when you want dinner to feel warm, indulgent, and memorable.

Once you make it, it won’t be a one-time thing.

Yield: 4 servings

Print

With ImageWithout Image

Marry Me Chicken

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 40 Min

Tender chicken simmered in a rich, creamy sauce infused with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, herbs, and parmesan. Finished with fresh basil and spooned generously over fluffy white rice. It’s comforting, indulgent, and somehow still simple enough for a weeknight.

Cook modePrevent screen from turning off

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper

For the Sauce

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme

To Finish

• Fresh basil, torn or sliced
• Cooked white rice, for serving

Instructions

1. Season both sides of the chicken generously with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken and sear for 4–5 minutes per side, until golden brown. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked at this stage.
3. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
5. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and let them warm through, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, that’s where the flavor lives.
6. Pour in the chicken broth, stirring to deglaze the pan completely.
7. Lower the heat slightly and add the heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and dried thyme. Stir until combined, then let the sauce simmer gently for 3–5 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
8. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
9. Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Spoon the sauce over the chicken, cover, and simmer for 10–12 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
10. Remove from heat and garnish generously with fresh basil.
11. Serve hot over white rice, spooning plenty of sauce over each portion.

Notes

Add red pepper flakes for a little heat

Stir in spinach at the end for freshness

Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for extra juiciness

Swap white rice for orzo or mashed potatoes

Nutrition Facts

Carbs

18 g

Cholesterol

159 mg

Fiber

2 g

Fat

35 g

Net carbs

16 g

Sat. Fat

19 g

Sodium

622 mg

Sugar

7 g

Protein

32 g

Calories

510