This is the BEST Marry Me Chicken recipe. It has juicy chicken cutlets served in a creamy and delicious sundried tomato sauce. You’ll love it!
This is a simple and elegant dish that’s perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to a gourmet-style dinner at home.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Creamy dreamy flavour: The rich sundried tomato and parmesan sauce is bursting with flavour that tastes like it came straight from a restaurant!
- Made in one pan: This dish comes together in just 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Olive oil – or another neutral cooking oil like avocado oil or canola oil.
- Chicken cutlets – you could also cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise. Chicken thighs might also work.
- Butter – use margarine or olive oil for a dairy-free option.
- Garlic – freshly minced garlic is best. Jarred minced garlic can be used in a pinch.
- Sundried tomatoes – you could use roasted red pepper, but it will have a different flavour.
- Chicken broth – vegetable broth is the best substitute here.
- Heavy cream – you can use half-and-half or a dairy-free substitute of your choice, but the sauce won’t be as creamy.
- Parmesan cheese – nutritional yeast is a great dairy-free substitute.
- Spinach – swap out for another dark leafy green like kale.
- Fresh basil – fresh oregano will provide a similar flavour.
- Pasta – serve with any pasta of your choice. You could also serve with gluten-free pasta or zucchini noodles.
How to make this marry me chicken
Step 1: Sear the chicken.
Season the chicken, then sear it for 3-4 minutes per side.
Step 2: Cook the pasta.
Cook the pasta until al dente.
Step 3: Sauté the garlic and sundried tomatoes.
Add butter to the skillet, then sauté the garlic and sundried tomatoes.
Step 4: Make the sauce.
Add the broth and cream, bring to a boil, then stir in the parmesan cheese.
Step 5: Stir in the spinach.
Stir in the spinach and cook until it starts to wilt.
Step 6: Add the chicken, serve and enjoy!
Add the chicken, then serve with pasta. Garnish with parmesan and fresh basil and dig in!
Marry me chicken tips & tricks
Make the best marry me chicken every time with my best tips and tricks!
- Use chicken breasts: You can cut boneless skinless chicken breasts in half lengthwise to make chicken cutlets.
- Serve with your favourite sides: I like serving this dish over pasta, but it would also be delicious over mashed potatoes, rice or zucchini noodles!
- Add even more flavour: When your sautéing the garlic and sundried tomatoes, add a bit of oil from the jar of tomatoes for even more flavour.
- Use fresh parmesan: I’d highly recommend grating fresh parmesan cheese. It tastes way better than the pre-grated stuff you buy at the grocery store!
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called Marry Me Chicken?
The name comes from how delicious the dish is – legend has it that it’s so good, it might just inspire a marriage proposal!
Can I use half and half instead of heavy cream?
Yes, but the sauce may be thinner. You can simmer it longer to thicken or add a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with water.
Can I use canned or jarred sundried tomatoes in oil?
Yes! Just drain off any excess oil before adding.
Can I bake this instead?
Yes you can. After searing the chicken and making the sauce, combine everything in an oven-safe dish and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.
What to serve with this dish
This dish pairs beautifully with sides that soak up the rich sundried tomato sauce. Here are a few of my favourites:
How to store and reheat
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or broth to loosen the sauce. You can also sprinkle some water overtop and microwave for 1-2 minutes.
More easy chicken dinner recipes
Meal prep tools
- Grab some glass meal prep bowls to pack up your weekly lunches.
- I get all my free-range chicken from Butcher Box, conveniently delivered to me frozen.
- Get a meat thermometer to make sure your chicken is cooked through
- **Get my full list of tools here**
Creamiest Marry Me Chicken
Equipment
- Meat thermometer to make sure your chicken is cooked through
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb chicken cutlets 4 cutlets
- 1 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup sundried tomatoes julienned
- 1/4 tsp each salt & pepper
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1/2 cup fresh basil chopped, for garnish
To serve
- 1/2 lb pasta like orzo, spaghetti, rigatoni, penne or rotini
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over med-high heat. Season chicken cutlets with salt & pepper, then add to pan, searing on each side for 3-4 minutes until browned. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Meanwhile, add pasta to a large pot of boiling water and cook for 10 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Add butter to the skillet, then add garlic and sundried tomatoes and saute for 30 seconds. Add broth and cream, bringing to a boil, then stir in parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then stir in spinach and cooked pasta, cooking another 30 seconds until wilted. Add chicken back to skillet and remove from heat.
- Serve, garnishing with basil and more parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy!
Comments & Reviews
Tokie Williams says
My nephew and I made this last night on a whim. We subbed kale for the spinach and added more whipping cream. It was divine! Hardest part was prepping all the fresh ingredients, but it took no time to cook. Will make again and again.
Taylor Stinson says
I’m so happy you both enjoyed!! 🙂