Creamy, tangy, savory and delicious, this easy marry me chicken recipe is the best 30 minute, one pan meal out there, hands down!
Plus the creamy sauce is perfect on anything: pasta, rice, potatoes, cauliflower rice.....you name it.
If you would like to try another easy creamy chicken dish, our Tuscan Chicken recipe is perfect for you.
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Why you'll love this recipe
This easy marry me chicken recipe, also sometimes called Man Pleasing Chicken (which is comical in my opinion), has been around for quite a while.
I've made it many times for my family and tested it with different types of chicken. It turns out great every single time.
Garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, red pepper flakes, grated parmesan cheese, and a ½ cup heavy cream all come together to create this decadent chicken dish in a cream sauce that everyone will love.
Marry me chicken is made in one pan - a large cast iron skillet is recommended - and has a cook time of under 30 minutes. Perfect for those busy weeknights.
If you love easy chicken dinner recipes try this Oven Baked Chicken Legs recipe next. Looking for more than just chicken, look through our curated list of 21 easy dinner recipes that all take less than 30 minutes to prepare.
Reader Testimonial
So delicious!! One of our favorite meals. Chicken is tender and juicy. The sauce is heavenly. I serve with spiraled zucchini and sometimes bow tie pasta. Thank you for this amazing recipe!! Lindsey S.
Key ingredients
Garlic - Minced fresh garlic, and a good amount of it, is part of what makes this delicious chicken recipe so amazingly flavorful.
Thyme & Oregano - Dried Oregano works with the thyme to amp up the savory flavors of the dish.
Red Pepper Flakes - We use ½ of a teaspoon to add just a little bit of heat. Add more or less to your liking.
Chicken Broth or Chicken Stock - We suggest using a low sodium broth so you can control the amount of salt in the dish.
Heavy Cream - This is what gives the sauce for the chicken its smooth creamy texture.
Sun-dried Tomatoes - This is probably the star ingredient in this dish. Sun-dried tomatoes have a sour tang to them that elevates the flavors perfectly.
Parmesan Cheese - Parmesan adds umami flavor and helps to thicken the sauce.
If you have any questions about the ingredients in this easy chicken recipe, please leave a comment below and we will get back to you.
How to make marry me chicken
Step 1: Season both sides of the skinless chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
Step 2: In a preheated large skillet over medium, sear the chicken in olive oil for about 5 minutes or until golden brown. Set chicken aside.
Step 3: Add the minced garlic to the hot skillet and cook until fragrant. Add the thyme, oregano, red pepper flakes, chicken broth, and heavy cream.
Step 4: While stirring often with a wooden spoon, scrape the browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan cheese.
Step 5: Return the cooked chicken to skillet and spoon the sauce over the chicken.
Step 6: Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. You can check for 165F with a meat thermometer.
For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the printable recipe card below.
For a dessert option, you might like this No Bake Biscoff Cheesecake or our Italian hangover cake. If you are living the low carb life, try our Low Carb Lemon Cake.
Expert tips
- We like to leave the chicken breast whole in our recipe, but to shorten the cook time you can cut them into chicken cutlets or pound them with a meat mallet.
- Definitely try to use freshly grated parmesan cheese. It's simply fresher and has so much better flavor. Use a box grater or handheld cheese grater.
- Sun-dried tomatoes usually come packaged in oil. Add a little bit to the pan with the olive oil and sear the chicken. It's a simple way to up the flavor profile of the chicken.
- Speaking of searing. Please let your skillet heat up before you add the chicken. Simple way to test is with a drop of water. It should immediately fizz when it hits the pan.
FAQs
The beauty of this recipe is that you can use any cut of chicken you have on hand.
We use boneless, skinless chicken breasts in this recipe, but I have made this recipe using 8 to 12 chicken tenderloins, and it turns out great.
I have also made it using 6 to 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Again, turned out great.
I have not used any bone in cuts of chicken. If you do, the cook time will be longer. Use an instant read thermometer to ensure the temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees or higher.
It's said that if you cook this for your partner, a marriage proposal may be on its way. Definitely the best chicken recipe for a date night or special occasion.
Yes, it really is that good. So be careful who you cook it for.
Yes, you can make this recipe in advance. Once it has cooled, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Simply place it in a pan on the stove to reheat.
Yes, you can definitely make this recipe without tomatoes. Not everyone is a fan of tomatoes. There is no need to replace them with anything, but feel free to explore.
Marry Me Chicken is definitely low on carbs, with each serving only having about 5 grams of net carbs.
For a full and filling keto meal, serve this easy chicken breast recipe with your favorite vegetables or cauliflower rice to soak up all of the delicious creamy sun-dried tomato sauce.
For another keto delicious sauce mopping option, I recommend trying our Keto Rolls or using the sauce in this recipe on our Zucchini Noodles or Low Carb Stuffing.
What to serve with marry me chicken?
This delicious creamy chicken dish pairs so well with a variety of side dishes. Here are a few ideas:
Pasta - The perfect complement to our super easy marry me chicken. For the best result, after you remove the pan from the oven, take the juicy chicken breasts out and spoon some sauce on top of it.
Place the cooked pasta in the pan with the remaining creamy parmesan sauce. Gently toss it over medium heat for a minute or two. This way the pasta is thoroughly coated in the creamy sauce.
On a low carb diet, try our Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Noodles instead.
Potatoes - Use the sauce as a gravy on our creamy whipped potatoes or pour it over roasted potatoes.
Rice - a great side dish that will soak up this delicious sauce. If on a keto diet, use cauliflower rice.
Vegetables - This parmesan cream sauce will make any vegetable taste good. Pour it over Lemon Asparagus or an Parmesan crusted Brussels sprouts.
Bread - Created just for you to soak up the sundried tomato cream sauce. You can make a nice garlic bread or some Keto Rolls.
Creamy Polenta - make your own or purchase some premade polenta from your local grocery store.
Storage & Reheating instructions
Fridge - Before storing any meal, you should always let it cool to room temperature first. Place it in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezer - We don't love freezing creamy recipes as they don't always thaw to the same consistency as when freshly made. If you want to freeze any leftovers, place them in an airtight container or freezer zip lock bag. Store up to 3 months.
Reheat - Whether from the fridge or frozen, it is best to reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Adding a little bit of chicken broth to the pan will ensure the chicken stays nice and moist.
More chicken recipes
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Did you make this quick and easy marry me chicken recipe? Please leave a comment below letting me know what you thought.
📖 Recipe
Marry Me Chicken (Gluten-Free, No Flour, Keto)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3-4 chicken breasts about 1 ½ lbs.
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¾ cup low sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup sundried tomatoes chopped. (Leave them out if you do not like tomatoes)
- ¼ cup fresh-grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375F degrees.
- In a large cast iron skillet (or oven-safe skillet) heat oil over medium heat.
- Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper.
- Sear both sides of the chicken, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate; set aside.
- Add the minced garlic to the hot skillet and cook for 1 minute. Add the thyme, oregano, red pepper flakes, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Stir in the sundried tomatoes and parmesan cheese.
- Return the cooked chicken to skillet and spoon the sauce over the chicken.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve warm with your favorite sides.
Notes
- Use a cast iron skillet or other oven-safe skillet to make this recipe so that you can finish it in the oven. Please let your skillet heat up before you add the chicken. Simple way to test is with a drop of water. It should immediately fizz when it hits the pan.
- It's helpful to have all of your ingredients measured and ready before you start making the sauce. This helps to keep the kitchen neat and the cooking quick.
- We like to leave the chicken breast whole in our recipe, but to shorten the cook time you can cut them into chicken cutlets or pound them with a meat mallet.
- Definitely try to use freshly grated parmesan cheese. It's simply fresher and has so much better flavor. Use a box grater or handheld cheese grater.
- Sun-dried tomatoes usually come packaged in oil. Add a little bit to the pan with the olive oil and sear the chicken. It's a simple way to up the flavor profile of the chicken.
Kiaya
One of my favorite dinner recipes! The only change I make is using thighs instead of breasts
Dane & Becky
Hi Kiaya,
We truly appreciate the feedback. We love using chicken thighs as well, cutlets are also great.
Dane and Becky
Ruthie
This recipe was so quick and simple but super delicious. I made this last night and made some cooked fresh green beans on the side and hubby and I loved it. I will definitely be making this again soon.
Julie
I have made this several times and this recipe has become a dinner staple for our family!! So good!! I make mine with angel hair pasta!
Kathy Hunter
How to adjust ingredients when serving 7 people?
Dane
Hi Kathy,
Thank you for asking. To keep things simple, I would double all the ingredients in the recipe and use 7 chicken breasts. On the recipe card, there is a 2x button you can click on that will double it for you. Please let me know how it turns out and if you have any other questions.
Dane
Joan West
My husband said that chicken was very good but it wouldn't be his top priority for marriage!
Dane
Hi Joan,
Thanks for letting us know he liked the recipe.
Dane
JAMES HAMLIN
Husband loved it - as did I! I used thighs, lightly floured the chicken before sautéing. Served with white rice. Next time, adding sautéed mushrooms! Thank you for the recipe - it’s wonderful! (I even scorched the garlic slightly, but not so bad to ruin it!)
Dane
Hi James,
So happy to hear you both loved it. Marry Me Chicken is definitely one of our favorites.
Dane
Kathy Spiller
OMG............Delicious! I used Chicken thighs instead of the breasts. This is spicy, so next time I plan to use only 1/4 tsp Red Pepper flakes.
Dane
Hi Kathy,
Thank you for taking the time to let us know that you loved this recipe.
Dane
Judy Norris
May this be made in a crock pot. If so what changes to the recipe is required and length of cook time do you suggestion. Thank you. Judy
Four Score Living
Hi Judy,
Thanks for asking. Still use a skillet and follow steps 2 to 4. The add all of the ingredients (except the parmesan cheese) to your crock pot. Double the chicken broth and heavy cream, as it is best to have more liquid when cooking in a crock pot. Then add in your seared chicken breast and cook for 6 hours on low. Once done, remove chicken and stir in parmesan cheese. Hope that helps and please let us know how it turns out.
The Four Score Living Team
Joyce
Can you use a roasted chicken with this recipe?
Four Score Living
Hi Joyce,
Thanks for asking. I personally have never tried using roasted chicken in this recipe but I don't see why not. If I were to, I would start at #5 in the instructions and then bake for 10 to 12 minutes if using cold, leftover roast chicken.
The Four Score Living Team
Darlene Stanley
I made this last night for the first time; it was delicious. Very easy to make. Follow the tip and have all things measured out as this makes the process much easier. This will definitely be a dish I will make frequently. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Four Score Living
Hi Darlene,
So happy to hear you enjoyed this dish. Thanks for taking the time to let us know.
The Four Score Living Team
Priscilla
Can you double the sauce in this recipe?
Four Score Living
Hi Priscilla,
Yes, you can definitely double the sauce by using 1 1/2 cups of broth and 1 cup of heavy cream. You may want to add in a little extra seasoning, but that is easy to do after you remove the dish from the oven. Hope that helps and thanks for taking the time to stop back by. Let us know how it turns out.
The Four Score Living Team
Pam Piscitelli
Thank you for sharing this recipe. My family and I loved it. Even my husband (who is not a sauce lover) really liked this recipe.
Four Score Living
Hi Pam,
So happy your whole family loved our recipe. Thank you for taking the time to stop back by and let us know.
The Four Score Living Team
Maureen
Will this recipe freeze?
Four Score Living
Hi Maureen, yes you can freeze this dish. After it has cooled, place it in an airtight container or freezer ziplock bag. It will stay good for 2 to 3 months.
The Four Score Living Team