Have you ever heard of a dish so delightful it could inspire marriage proposals? Enter “Marry Me Chicken,” a creamy, irresistible entrée that’s sure to win hearts. This dish combines tender chicken, a rich parmesan cream sauce, and sun-dried tomatoes for extra flair. It’s easy enough for a casual weeknight dinner but fancy enough to impress guests on special occasions. Let’s dive into how this swoon-worthy recipe comes together.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich Creamy Sauce: A luscious blend of heavy cream and parmesan cheese ensures a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Irresistible Flavors: The combination of garlic, herbs, and sun-dried tomatoes offers a delightful burst of flavors in every bite.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together in about 25 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Versatile: Pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or your favorite vegetable sides.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, yet powerful ingredients is key to this recipe’s myriad of layers of flavor. Each element brings unique taste and texture, ensuring the perfect bite every time.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Sliced into thin cutlets for quick cooking and easy flavor absorption.
- All-Purpose Flour: Helps in browning the chicken to give it a crispy, golden exterior.
- Garlic: Infuses the dish with its pungent and aromatic essence.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a nutty and savory depth to the creamy sauce.
- Sun-dried Tomatoes: Their sweetness and tang enhance the umami elements.
- Heavy Cream: Provides a rich base that carries all the flavors smoothly.
Variations
This Marry Me Chicken recipe is as flexible as it is delicious. Feel free to adjust it to match your taste or dietary needs, adding your personal twist to this classic.
- Add Mushrooms: For earthiness, sauté some sliced mushrooms along with the garlic.
- Use Spinach: Stir in fresh spinach before serving for a pop of color and nutrients.
- Spice It Up: Increase the chili flakes to turn up the heat level to your liking.
How to Make Marry Me Chicken
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
First, season your chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then give them a light coating with flour. This not only adds a delightful texture but ensures that each piece browns perfectly, making the flavors really pop.
Step 2: Sear and Set Aside
In a warm skillet, combine olive oil and butter, allowing them to meld together. Carefully place your floured chicken in the skillet, making sure each piece has room to breathe and sizzle! After 4-5 minutes on each side, when both sides are golden brown, set aside on a plate, keeping them warm and cozy.
Step 3: Create the Sauce
With the pan still warm, sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, a quick minute. Pour in the chicken stock and swirl to deglaze, gathering every bit of deliciousness from the skillet. Gradually, add in the cream and parmesan, stirring as it thickens into a heavenly sauce.
Step 4: Final Touches
Adjust your seasoning with chili flakes, thyme, and oregano for that aromatic touch. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and return the browned chicken to the pan. Allow everything to simmer, letting all the flavors meld splendidly. Finish with fresh basil and voilà!
Pro Tips for Making Marry Me Chicken
- Perfect Sear: Ensure your pan is hot enough that the chicken sizzles the moment it hits, creating that beautiful brown crust.
- Sauce Consistency: Let the cream mixture simmer until it coats the back of a spoon for the ideal velvety texture.
- Balanced Flavor: Taste your sauce as it simmers, adjusting spices as needed for your personal preference.
- Ingredient Quality: Always opt for fresh basil and freshly grated parmesan for maximum aroma and depth.
How to Serve Marry Me Chicken
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped basil adds a pop of color and an aromatic lift. For a sharper kick, consider garnishing with fresh parmesan shavings.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with simple side dishes like creamy mashed potatoes or steamed asparagus, complementing the richness of the chicken.
Creative Ways to Present
Present it in a large, elegant serving dish, allowing the creamy sauce to pool around the chicken. Garnish with herbs just before serving for that extra touch of elegance.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors will meld even further, making the dish more flavorful the next day.
Freezing
While freezing creamy sauces is tricky due to potential texture changes, it’s best to avoid it for optimal taste and consistency.
Reheating
Gently reheat your Marry Me Chicken over low heat on the stovetop, or in the microwave, adding a splash of water or stock to restore the sauce’s creamy consistency.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs add an extra layer of juiciness to the dish. Just remember that they’ll take a bit longer to cook through compared to breasts.
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Is there a substitute for heavy cream?
You can use coconut cream for a dairy-free alternative, although this will slightly alter the flavor profile of the dish.
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How do I prevent the sauce from breaking?
Ensure you are cooking over medium heat; high heat can cause the cream to separate. Stirring gently while it simmers can help maintain its texture.
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What if I don’t have sun-dried tomatoes?
You can substitute them with cherry tomatoes; simply cut them in half and sauté them with the garlic for a fresh burst of flavor.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to spice up your menu with a dish that’s both simple and stunning, give Marry Me Chicken a try. Whether it’s a mid-week meal or a dinner party centerpiece, it’s bound to evoke oohs and aahs. Enjoy cooking and sharing this delectable delight!
Print
Marry Me Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Description
Marry Me Chicken is a rich and creamy chicken dish featuring tender sliced chicken breasts simmered in a flavorful sauce made with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and herbs. Perfect for a romantic dinner, this dish pairs beautifully with pasta or rice for a satisfying and elegant meal.
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
For the Coating
- 6 tablespoons (50 grams) all-purpose flour
Cooking Oils and Fats
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (28 grams) unsalted butter
Sauces and Flavorings
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken stock
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream (double cream in the UK)
- 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
Optional Garnish
- Extra fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken cutlets with salt and black 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 the butter over medium heat. Add the chicken cutlets without overcrowding, and brown them for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate, cover, and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Deglaze: In the same skillet, sauté the minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add the chicken stock to deglaze the pan, scraping up any bits stuck to the bottom with a wooden spoon to incorporate flavor.
- Make the Sauce: Lower the heat to medium-low. Pour in the heavy cream and stir in the grated parmesan cheese. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for a couple of minutes until slightly thickened. Season with chili flakes, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Finish: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, spooning some sauce over the top. Let everything simmer together for 3-5 minutes until the sauce is thickened and the flavors meld.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh basil leaves. Serve the creamy chicken hot over cooked pasta or rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Chicken cutlets or steaks are commonly available at supermarkets; you can also slice a whole chicken breast in half to achieve similar results.
- To prepare chicken cutlets: place the chicken breast flat on a cutting board, hold it steady, and slice horizontally into two thin pieces. Pound with a meat mallet if thicker than ¼ inch.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used but will require longer cooking times.
- Adding a little sundried tomato oil while sautéing the garlic enhances the flavor.
- Use a freshly grated block of parmesan for better flavor and smoother melting compared to pre-grated options.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently, adding a splash of water or milk if the sauce thickens.
- Avoid freezing this creamy sauce as it may become grainy after thawing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece of chicken with sauce
- Calories: 447 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 601 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 147 mg
