Marry Me Chicken first gained widespread popularity years ago, thanks to its incredibly rich and inviting flavor profile. The secret lies in its perfectly balanced creamy sauce, which combines the tang and sweetness of sun-dried tomatoes with the sharp, nutty notes of Parmesan cheese, all enhanced by aromatic garlic and a hint of fresh herbs. It’s a dish that feels gourmet yet is surprisingly straightforward to prepare. Once you taste this creamy sun-dried tomato sauce, you’ll understand why it’s become a favorite in kitchens everywhere.

This recipe is incredibly versatile, making it perfect for a variety of occasions. It’s elegant enough for special celebrations or a romantic date night in, but quick and easy enough to become a staple in your busy weeknight meal rotation. Its comforting and rich flavors make it a crowd-pleaser that will have everyone asking for seconds.

If you’re a fan of the distinctive taste of sun-dried tomatoes, you’ll also adore some of my other popular recipes. Be sure to check out my Sun-dried Tomato & Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breasts, Sun-dried Tomato Farro Chicken Bake, Chicken Bryan , Creamy Sun-dried Tomato Pasta Recipe and this Sun-dried Tomato Pesto Pasta. These dishes further explore the delicious possibilities that sun-dried tomatoes bring to the table, creating equally memorable culinary experiences.

Why You Will Love This Marry Me Chicken Recipe:

• Effortlessly Easy to Make: This Marry Me Chicken recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort. You’ll be amazed at how quickly this weeknight meal comes together, ready to enjoy in just about 30 minutes from start to finish! The process involves cooking chicken cutlets in a single skillet, which then becomes the base for our deliciously creamy sauce. With added sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach, it’s a complete meal that’s perfect served with your favorite pasta, rice, or crusty bread. This truly is the ideal one-pan dinner solution for busy evenings.
• Incredibly Easy to Modify: One of the best aspects of this Marry Me Chicken recipe is its adaptability. Feel free to customize the creamy sauce by loading it up with a variety of other vegetables to boost nutrition and flavor. Great additions include thinly sliced carrots, diced celery, earthy mushrooms, vibrant broccoli florets, crisp green beans, tender asparagus spears, or sweet green peas. You can even stir in roasted red peppers for another layer of smoky sweetness. This flexibility ensures you can cater the dish to your family’s preferences or simply use whatever fresh produce you have on hand.
• Perfect for Any Size Gathering: Whether you’re cooking for an intimate dinner or feeding a larger group of diners, this recipe can be easily scaled. Simply double or even triple the ingredients to accommodate more servings. This makes Marry Me Chicken an excellent choice for entertaining, potlucks, or holiday meals. Plus, the leftovers store exceptionally well for several days in an airtight container in the refrigerator, making it an ideal candidate for meal prepping. The flavors often deepen overnight, making subsequent meals even more delightful.

Recipe Ingredients and Substitutions

For exact ingredient amounts and detailed instructions, please refer to the full recipe card below.

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast – For this recipe, boneless and skinless chicken breasts are an excellent choice because they cook quickly and remain wonderfully juicy. I recommend slicing each full breast lengthwise into thin cutlets, which typically yields 8 smaller pieces, ensuring even cooking and better sauce coverage. Alternatively, for a richer, more forgiving meat, you could use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They stand up well to simmering and offer a slightly deeper flavor.
• Seasoning – To bring out the best in the chicken, we keep the seasoning simple yet effective: a generous sprinkle of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides. If you desire a little kick, a pinch of cayenne pepper can be added, or for a subtle smoky depth, try a dash of smoked paprika. These simple additions can transform the chicken’s base flavor without overpowering the sauce.
• All-Purpose Flour – A light dredging in all-purpose flour before browning helps create a beautiful golden crust on the chicken and acts as a thickening agent for our rich sauce. For a gluten-free option, you can easily substitute cornstarch, tapioca flour, or a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
• Olive Oil – Essential for browning the chicken and sautéing the aromatics. We’ll use it in two stages: first, for searing the chicken to golden perfection, and then to sauté the garlic, building layers of flavor in the pan.
• Garlic – Freshly minced garlic is a cornerstone of this recipe, providing a pungent, aromatic base for the creamy sauce. Do not skimp on the garlic; it’s crucial for that irresistible depth of flavor.
• Chicken Stock – A good quality chicken stock or broth is vital for deglazing the pan and forming the liquid base of the sauce. It helps lift all those delicious browned bits from the chicken, adding incredible savory depth. Low-sodium chicken broth is a great choice if you prefer to control the salt content.
• Heavy Cream – This is the secret to the incredibly rich, velvety texture of our Marry Me Chicken sauce. Heavy cream creates a luxurious mouthfeel that perfectly complements the tender chicken and vibrant sun-dried tomatoes. If you’re looking for a slightly lighter alternative, half-and-half can be used, though the sauce will be less thick. For a dairy-free version, a full-fat coconut milk (from a can, not a carton) or a dairy-free heavy cream substitute would work well, though the flavor profile will subtly change.
• Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is stirred into the sauce, melting beautifully to add a distinct salty, umami flavor and contributing to its creamy consistency. If Parmesan isn’t available, you could experiment with other hard, flavorful cheeses like Pecorino Romano for a sharper taste, or a milder option like grated mozzarella. For a slightly different twist, goat cheese or even a smoky pepper jack could offer an interesting flavor dimension.
• Spices – To elevate the sauce, we incorporate red pepper flakes for a gentle warmth, oregano for its earthy, slightly bitter notes, and thyme for a fresh, savory aroma. These spices work together to create a complex, inviting flavor. You can also experiment with other complementary herbs and spices such as fresh rosemary for a more robust flavor, dried parsley for freshness, or a touch of chili powder for an added smoky element.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes – These are a star ingredient, offering an intense, concentrated tomato flavor with a delightful tang and sweetness that fresh tomatoes simply can’t replicate. Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped, for the best results. If you can’t find sun-dried tomatoes, a combination of fresh diced tomatoes with a tablespoon of tomato paste can provide a reasonable substitute, though the flavor will be less intense.
• Baby Spinach – Added at the end, baby spinach wilts quickly into the sauce, adding a touch of freshness, vibrant color, and an extra boost of nutrients. It blends seamlessly into the creamy sauce without overpowering other flavors.
• Fresh Basil Leaves – A final flourish of fresh basil is essential for garnishing, providing a burst of aromatic freshness that brightens the entire dish and ties all the flavors together beautifully.

How to Make This Recipe:

Crafting this delightful Marry Me Chicken dish is a straightforward process, designed for efficiency and maximum flavor. Follow these simple steps to bring this crowd-pleasing meal to your table.

Step 1. Prepare the Chicken : Begin by placing your boneless, skinless chicken cutlets on a clean cutting board. Season both sides generously with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to imbue flavor right from the start. Next, pour the all-purpose flour into a shallow dish or plate. Take each seasoned chicken cutlet and dredge it thoroughly in the flour, ensuring both sides are evenly coated. Gently shake off any excess flour; we want a thin, even layer, not a thick batter. This light coating will help achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust and contribute to the sauce’s thickness.

Step 2. Brown the Chicken: Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Ensure the oil lightly coats the entire surface of the pan. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place the floured chicken cutlets into the hot skillet. Avoid overcrowding the pan; if necessary, work in batches to allow each piece to brown properly. Sear each side of the chicken for approximately 3-4 minutes, or until it develops a beautiful golden-brown crust. This browning step is crucial for flavor and texture. Once browned, transfer the chicken to a clean plate, cover it loosely with foil to keep warm, and set it aside while you prepare the sauce.

Step 3. Sauté the Garlic: Using the same skillet where you browned the chicken (don’t clean it, those browned bits are flavor!), add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until it becomes fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter very quickly.

Step 4. Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the chicken stock. Immediately use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape up all the delicious browned bits (fond) stuck to the bottom of the skillet. This process, known as deglazing, adds incredible depth and savory flavor to your sauce. Let the stock simmer gently for about a minute.

Step 5. Make the Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, followed by the grated Parmesan cheese. Continue to simmer for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cheese has fully melted and is incorporated into the sauce, and the sauce begins to thicken slightly. Next, stir in the red pepper flakes, oregano, and thyme. This is where the sauce truly comes to life, building its complex and aromatic profile.

Step 6. Finish the Sauce: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, ensuring they are well distributed throughout the creamy sauce. Carefully return the browned chicken cutlets to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for another 2-3 minutes, uncovered, giving the chicken time to warm through and absorb the rich flavors, and allowing the sauce to thicken to a perfect consistency. Finally, stir in the fresh baby spinach until it just wilts, adding a pop of color and freshness. Remove the skillet from the heat.

Step 7. Serve: Garnish your Marry Me Chicken generously with more fresh basil and a sprig of fresh thyme. This not only adds visual appeal but also enhances the aromatic experience. Serve this incredible dish immediately over a bed of al dente pasta (like linguine or fettuccine for a classic “Marry Me Chicken Pasta”), creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or even polenta. Don’t forget a side of warm, crusty bread to soak up every last drop of that irresistible sauce!

Recipe Tips and Modifications for this Marry Me Chicken Recipe

• Add More Vegetables: This recipe is incredibly adaptable for adding extra nutritious vegetables. Beyond spinach, consider stirring in thinly sliced carrots, diced celery, earthy sautéed mushrooms, vibrant broccoli florets, crisp green beans, tender asparagus spears, or sweet green peas. You can add heartier vegetables like carrots and celery when you sauté the garlic, allowing them more time to soften, while softer greens or quick-cooking vegetables like peas can be added towards the end with the spinach.
• Boost Your Greens: While baby spinach is fantastic for its mild flavor and quick wilting, feel free to experiment with other leafy greens. Arugula will add a peppery bite, chard offers a slightly earthy note, and kale (massaged beforehand to soften) brings a more robust texture and flavor. Simply add your chosen greens where the spinach is specified and allow them to wilt into the creamy sauce.
• Cheese Varieties: For an extra layer of indulgence, top the finished chicken with a sprinkle of additional Parmesan cheese just before serving. You could also try melting in some fresh mozzarella for a gooey, stretchy texture, or crumble some creamy goat cheese over the top for a tangy contrast. Pecorino Romano is another excellent choice if you prefer a sharper, saltier kick to your cheesy topping.
• Fresh Herb Power: Fresh herbs are essential for elevating the flavors of this dish. Beyond basil and thyme, consider adding chopped fresh rosemary for a more aromatic depth, flat-leaf parsley for a bright, clean finish, or tarragon for its subtle anise notes, which pair beautifully with chicken and cream. Add fresh herbs at the very end to preserve their vibrant flavor and color.
• Spice It Up: Don’t hesitate to play with different spices to create unique flavor profiles. A dash of Italian seasoning can enhance the Mediterranean notes, while smoked paprika will introduce a warm, smoky undertone. If you love heat, increase the red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicier kick. For an adventurous twist, a touch of curry powder could transform this into a fusion dish!
• Tomato Options: While sun-dried tomatoes are a cornerstone for their intense, concentrated flavor, you have options. If using dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes, rehydrate them in warm water or chicken stock first. If fresh tomatoes are all you have, dice them finely and sauté them with the garlic to release their juices, then add a tablespoon of tomato paste to boost the richness that sun-dried tomatoes naturally provide.
• Protein Alternatives: While chicken breasts are classic, this recipe is equally delicious with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier, richer flavor. You could also adapt it for pork tenderloin, sliced into medallions, or even large shrimp, which cook very quickly. For a vegetarian version, consider using hearty mushrooms, firm tofu, or cannellini beans as the main protein.
• Make it Gluten-Free: To make this dish gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend, cornstarch, or tapioca flour when dredging the chicken. Ensure all other ingredients, like chicken stock, are certified gluten-free.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: For a dairy-free version, swap out the heavy cream for full-fat canned coconut milk (not the drinking kind) or a dairy-free cooking cream. For the Parmesan, use a high-quality dairy-free Parmesan alternative. Be aware that the flavor profile will shift slightly but will still be delicious.