If you’re looking for a dish that’s sure to impress, “Marry Me Chicken” might just be your love story on a plate. With its creamy sauce, tender chicken, and rich flavors, it’s bound to make anyone swoon over dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: With accessible ingredients, it’s both easy on cost and high on flavor.
- Quick Cooking: With a total cooking time of just 25 minutes, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Rich and Creamy: The savory sauce is excellent over pasta or rice, ensuring every morsel is as delightful as the last.
- Showstopper: The dish looks elegant and gourmet, making it perfect for entertaining or a special night in.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This mouthwatering dish is surprisingly straightforward with its ingredients. Each component adds a specific layer of flavor that marries beautifully in the dish.
- Chicken Breasts: Sliced into cutlets for quick cooking and tender texture.
- All-Purpose Flour: Lightly coats the chicken for a perfect golden sear.
- Olive Oil and Butter: Blends for a superior cooking medium and flavor base.
- Garlic: Adds aromatic depth to the dish.
- Chicken Stock: Creates a savory base for the sauce, infusing it with flavor.
- Heavy Cream: Offers a luscious, creamy texture that coats the chicken.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a savory, umami-rich layer that’s impossible to resist.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Provides a burst of tangy sweetness.
- Herbs and Spices: A mix of thyme, oregano, and chili flakes for a subtle kick.
- Fresh Basil: A final touch of freshness and color.
Variations
One of the best things about Marry Me Chicken is its versatility. You can easily adapt the recipe to suit different palates or dietary needs.
- Make it Spicier: Add more chili flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
- Vegetarian Version: Swap chicken with tofu or seitan, maintaining the same rich sauce.
- Lighter Option: Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk for a lighter sauce.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour or cornstarch for dredging.
How to Make Marry Me Chicken
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Season the chicken cutlets with salt and pepper, then dredge them in flour to create a light, even coating. This will help achieve a beautifully golden crust when cooked.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and melt the butter over medium heat. Brown the chicken, cooking for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and keep it warm.
Step 3: Create the Sauce
Saute the garlic until fragrant, then deglaze the skillet with chicken stock, scraping up browned bits for flavor. Reduce the heat, stir in heavy cream and parmesan, and let the sauce simmer gently, seasoning it with chili flakes, thyme, and oregano.
Step 4: Combine and Serve
Return the chicken to the skillet, add sun-dried tomatoes, and let everything simmer until the sauce thickens to your liking. Garnish with fresh basil before serving over your favorite side.
Pro Tips for Making Marry Me Chicken
- Golden Brown Chicken: Ensure your pan is hot enough before adding chicken to achieve the perfect sear.
- Creamy Consistency: Slowly incorporate the cream to avoid curdling and maintain a smooth sauce.
- Timing with Tomatoes: Add sun-dried tomatoes towards the end to keep their texture and vibrant flavor.
- Flavor Development: Don’t skip deglazing the pan; it’s crucial for building a deep, flavorful sauce.
How to Serve Marry Me Chicken
Garnishes
Add a pop of color and flavor by sprinkling freshly chopped basil or a mix of Italian herbs over the chicken before serving. A dash of lemon zest can also brighten the rich, creamy sauce.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with simple sides like al dente pasta or fluffy rice to soak up the delicious sauce. A crisp green salad or steamed asparagus can provide a refreshing contrast as well.
Creative Ways to Present
For an elegant presentation, serve the chicken over a bed of mashed potatoes, drizzle a little extra sauce around the plate, and garnish with whole basil leaves for a restaurant-quality touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To store leftovers, let the chicken cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Freezing
If you’d like to freeze the dish, place it in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat the dish gently on the stove over medium-low heat. Add a splash of water or chicken stock if the sauce has thickened too much in the fridge.
FAQs
-
Can I use other proteins instead of chicken?
Absolutely! This recipe works well with shrimp or even tofu for a vegetarian twist, adjusting cooking times accordingly.
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What if I’m out of heavy cream?
Half-and-half or a combination of milk and butter can be used as substitutes, though the sauce may be slightly less creamy.
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How can I make the sauce thicker?
If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer a bit longer to reduce or add a cornstarch slurry by mixing a tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stirring it in slowly.
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What can I do if the sauce is too spicy?
Adding a little more cream or a touch of sugar can help mellow the heat if the spice level is higher than desired.
Final Thoughts
Marry Me Chicken is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. Whether enjoyed on a special date night or shared with family, its delightful flavors are sure to make any occasion memorable. So, gather your ingredients and get ready to fall in love with this delicious dish!
Print
Marry Me Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Marry Me Chicken is a rich, creamy, and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken cutlets coated in seasoned flour, cooked to golden perfection, and simmered in a luscious sauce made with garlic, heavy cream, parmesan, sundried tomatoes, and aromatic herbs. Perfectly balanced and indulgent, it’s an impressive yet easy-to-make dish that pairs beautifully with pasta or rice, making it ideal for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasonings
- 3 large chicken breasts boneless and skinless, sliced lengthwise into thin cutlets
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Flour Coating
- 6 tablespoons (50 grams) all-purpose flour
Cooking Fats
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter
Flavor Base
- 3 cloves garlic minced
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken stock
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (43 grams) parmesan cheese grated
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon thyme
- 1/3 cup sundried tomatoes chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves chopped
Instructions
- Season and Dredge: Season the chicken cutlets with salt and pepper, then dredge each piece in flour, shaking off any excess to ensure an even coating.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and melt butter over medium heat. Swirl the pan to coat evenly. Add chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate, cover, and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics and Deglaze: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about a minute until fragrant. Pour in chicken stock, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to deglaze.
- Prepare the Sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low, then stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Simmer for a couple of minutes until the sauce begins to thicken. Season with chili flakes, oregano, and thyme.
- Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Finish Cooking: Season with additional salt and pepper if needed, then add chopped sundried tomatoes. Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon sauce over, and let simmer for 4-5 minutes until the sauce is thickened and creamy.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh basil leaves. Serve warm over cooked pasta or rice for a complete, comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for dried ones for more flavor.
- Adjust the chili flakes to suit your spice preference.
- The sauce can be made ahead and reheated gently on the stove, adding a splash of milk or cream if needed to loosen it.
- This dish pairs beautifully with garlic bread or a side salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6th of recipe
- Calories: 500 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
