Marry Me Chicken Recipe
Marry Me Chicken, a creamy chicken dish featuring tender, perfectly seasoned chicken thighs in a rich, flavorful sauce, is so irresistible that it’s said to inspire proposals.
Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner or just want a show-stopping recipe to add to your repertoire, this is the one. With a video tutorial and step-by-step images, I’ll walk you through how to make this dreamy dish. Let’s dive in!
Why It’s Called “Marry Me Chicken”
The name comes from its reputation for being so good it could lead to a marriage proposal. It’s creamy, comforting, and packed with flavors that leave you wanting more.
Main Ingredients in Marry Me Chicken
- Chicken Thighs: Tender, juicy, and perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Add a tangy, slightly sweet flavor that elevates the dish.
- Heavy Cream: Creates the rich, velvety base for the sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds a savory, cheesy depth to the sauce.
- Spinach: Provides freshness and a pop of green to balance the richness.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs that enhances the flavor profile.
- Garlic and Onion: Essential aromatics for building flavor in the sauce.
How to Make Marry Me Chicken
Step 1: Season and Fry the Chicken
- Combine the chicken seasoning ingredients and rub them all over the chicken thighs. Coat the seasoned chicken in flour.
- In a skillet, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until lightly browned on both sides.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
- In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion until translucent. Add the spinach and cook for 1 minute, then stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Mix in the spices for the sauce, followed by the sun-dried tomatoes.
- Pour in the hot water and simmer for 1 minute. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, letting the sauce thicken slightly.
Step 3: Combine and Serve
- Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning sauce over the top. Simmer for 3 minutes over medium-low heat, adding more water if a thinner sauce is desired.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot with rice, pasta, or crusty bread.
Tips for Perfect Marry Me Chicken
- Use Bone-In Chicken: If you prefer bone-in chicken, increase the cooking time to ensure it cooks through.
- Make It Spicier: Add extra chili flakes if you enjoy a spicy kick.
- Thicker Sauce: For a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of water or simmer longer.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for added richness, or rehydrate dry ones in warm water before using.
- Vegetable Substitute: Swap spinach for kale or arugula if preferred.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Chicken breasts work well. Just adjust the cooking time to avoid overcooking, as breasts can dry out faster than thighs.
To make it keto, skip the flour coating and serve it with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sauce separately, then combine and reheat before serving.
Why This Recipe Will Win You Over
The creamy, dreamy sauce combined with tender chicken thighs is a flavor-packed experience. The blend of spices, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan creates a dish that’s restaurant-quality yet easy to make at home.
⭐PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW
If you have tried this Marry Me Chicken recipe and liked it, please give it a 5-star rating and leave a comment below with your experience!
Marry Me Chicken
Ingredients
For chicken seasoning
- 4 chicken thighs skinless, boneless
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt to taste
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
To fry the chicken
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoon olive oil or cooking oil
Sauce Spices
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dry basil
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Other ingredients
- 1 onion chopped
- ¼ cup chopped spinach fresh or frozen
- ½ tablespoon minced garlic
- ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes I used homemade
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 ½ cup hot water
- 1 ½ tablespoon Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Season the chicken with chicken seasoning and mix it well. Dredge the chicken in flour, ensuring that all sides are coated.
- In a hot pan, heat the butter and olive oil together. Once the butter has melted, add the seasoned chicken and fry it on both sides until it turns light brown. If you’re using medium-sized chicken, this should take about 5 minutes per side over medium heat.
- After the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pan but leave the oil. Add the chopped onion and sauté it until it becomes translucent. Then, add the spinach and cook for 1 minute. Next, add the minced garlic and cook for another minute over medium-low heat.
- Stir in sauce spices, then add the sun-dried tomatoes. Pour in water and cook for an additional minute before adding the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
- Once the mixture begins to simmer, return the cooked chicken to the pan and let it cook in the sauce for 3 minutes over medium-low heat. If you prefer a thinner sauce, you may need to add more hot water.
- Before serving, garnish the dish with chopped parsley. This dish is best served with rice or pasta.
Video
Notes
- Use Bone-In Chicken: If you prefer bone-in chicken, increase the cooking time to ensure it cooks through.
- Make It Spicier: Add extra chili flakes if you enjoy a spicy kick.
- Thicker Sauce: For a thicker sauce, reduce the amount of water or simmer longer.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for added richness, or rehydrate dry ones in warm water before using.
- Vegetable Substitute: Swap spinach for kale or arugula if preferred.
- Chicken Breast: Use chicken breast instead of thighs. Cooking time may vary.