This Marry Me Chicken Recipe features bone-in chicken thighs with a sun-dried tomato luscious sauce infused with aromatic garlic, herbs, and parmesan. It’s a quick and easy crowd-pleaser chicken recipe.
Everyone will love this perfect one-pot chicken recipe that’s ideal for busy weeknights. And it’s excellent for gluten-free, low-carb, and ketogenic diets.
I’m sure this easy Marry Me Chicken recipe will be on your dinner rotation list since it takes less than 30 minutes to make from scratch. You’ll want to make more of our chicken recipes, such as Chicken Florentine, Tuscan Chicken, and Stuffed Chicken Breast.
Expect expressions like, “Mmm’s,” Wow”, “this is so amazing! And “You can make this anytime!” -it’s love at first bite.
Marry Me Chicken Video Recipe
What Is Marry Me Chicken?
Marry Me Chicken is a delightful combination of perfectly seared bone-in chicken thighs, then smothered in the creamiest sun-dried tomato sauce, then baked to perfection.
The recipe’s name is funny if you ask me, but it’s said that if you serve it to your partner, he’ll instantly propose because of how delicious this recipe really is.
Similar to our Tuscan Chicken recipe, a recipe loved by so many of you, it’s a family favorite, and everyone keeps asking for seconds. So, if you’re looking for a marriage proposal, let’s get cooking!
It doesn’t matter how experienced you are in the kitchen, you’ll have no trouble making this recipe! In the end, this delicious chicken recipe is garnished with fresh parsley or thyme.
Reasons This Chicken Recipe is The Best
- It’s extremely flavorful. The tomato cream sauce is very simple to make and delicious to enjoy. Tomatoes and parmesan go along so wonderfully.
- Quick and easy to make. This delicious chicken dish is so easy to make that it is ready in under an hour.
- You can make it ahead of time. It’s perfect for meal planning, and it stay’s fresh for several days in the fridge.
- Budget-Friendly. You don’t need expensive ingredients to make this recipe, and you can pair it with rice and pasta for a complete meal(skip for keto!).
- Keto-friendly, low-carb, and gluten-free by nature. There are no adjustments required!
Ingredients Needed
For this delicious Marry Me Chicken, you need just a few simple ingredients that are super easy to find:
- Olive Oil – For frying, use high-quality olive oil. You can use unsalted butter instead.
- Bone-In Chicken Thighs – I used skin-on bone-in thighs. Although skinless ones would also work, I love the crispy chicken skin.
- Garlic – Part of what makes this chicken so tasty is the minced garlic that is super fragrant and the best for this recipe.
- Oregano – I used dried oregano for this recipe, but the fresh one is great as well.
- Red Pepper Flakes – For some heat. Leave out if you are not a fan, and use paprika instead.
- Chicken Broth – Because you’ll be adding a few salty components, you might want to use a low-sodium chicken broth. Instead of chicken stock, you may use vegetable broth.
- Heavy Cream – to make a rich and delicious sauce, use heavy cream that also helps naturally thicken the sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese – I used freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best flavor. Pre-shredded parmesan is great too!
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes – Use store-bought sun-dried tomatoes, chopped into small bits, for a tangy, flavorful, and sweet dish. If your sundried tomatoes are too salty, keep an eye on the quantity of salt you use.
- Fresh Parsley – Perfect to garnish. Fresh basil or thyme are also some fantastic herbs to use.
The Complete list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
How To Make Marry Me Chicken
It’s easy to make this delicious Marry Me Chicken by following just a few simple steps.
Start by adding the olive oil to a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat.
Sear the chicken – Season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper, then place it with skin side down in the skillet. Sear for 4 to 5 minutes until it starts brown. Cook for another 4 to 5 minutes on the other side. Transfer chicken to a serving platter and keep warm.
Make the Sauce – Reduce the heat, cook the garlic for about one minute, then add the chicken broth, heavy cream, and season with oregano and red pepper flakes. Stir in Parmesan cheese and sun-dried tomatoes.
Bring the mixture to a simmer, and then return the chicken to the skillet with the skin side up.
Bake for 18-20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through in the preheated oven (juices run clear).
Tips and Variations
- Replace chicken broth with white wine – Add some white wine that will give this Marry Me Chicken recipe a ton of flavor.
- You can use chicken breasts or chicken tenders instead of chicken thighs.
- I recommend buying a Parmesan cheese block and shredding it yourself. Store-bought parmesan cheese doesn’t have much flavor and usually does not dissolve well in sauces.
How To Store
- Fridge: You can place the leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for about five days.
- Freezer: Creamy sauces should not be stored in the freezer since they become gritty when defrosted.
- Reheating: You can reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop, but you’ll need to thin it up with a little chicken broth or water.
What To Serve With Marry Me Chicken?
In my opinion, you won’t need any side dishes for this recipe because it’s pretty filling. But if you choose to serve it with something, here are some serving suggestions to enhance your dining experience:
- Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes: Swap traditional mashed potatoes with a healthier twist by using creamy cauliflower mashed potatoes.
- Cauliflower Rice: For a low-carb alternative, serve your chicken alongside cauliflower rice. Regular rice works just as fine.
- Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus: Indulge in a delightful side dish by wrapping tender asparagus spears with crispy bacon.
- Garlic Butter Mushrooms: Their earthy, umami flavors perfectly complement the creamy tomato sauce.
- Turnip Au Gratin: Create a comforting and unique side dish by preparing turnip au gratin.
- Roasted Vegetables: n. The caramelized flavors and tender textures of the roasted veggies will enhance the overall meal.
- Air Fryer Cauliflower: tossed in olive oil and seasoned to perfection, the cauliflower florets turn golden brown and deliver a satisfying crunch.
- Serve your chicken over a bed of al dente pasta such as linguine, fettuccine, or penne. The creamy tomato sauce will beautifully coat the pasta, creating a harmonious combination of flavors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Prepare This Recipe Ahead?
To make this chicken recipe ahead of time, you can season the meat and pan-sear for 5 minutes on each side. Prepare the sauce as instructed below, and when ready to enjoy, just bake for 20 minutes in the oven.
Can I Use Chicken Breast Instead of Chicken thighs for Marry Me Chicken?
Absolutely! You can use boneless, skinless chicken breast if you prefer. Adjust the cooking time accordingly, as chicken breast cooks faster.
Can I Make Marry Me Chicken Dairy-free?
Yes, if you prefer a dairy-free sauce, you can substitute heavy cream with plant-based alternatives such as coconut milk, cashew cream, or plant-based cheeses to create a creamy tomato sauce that suits your dietary needs.
Can I Make Marry Me Chicken in An Instant Pot?
Yes, you can. Start by using the sauté mode to brown the chicken thighs for a few minutes and make the sauce as written in the instructions below. Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual or pressure cook mode on high pressure. Cook for about 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts. Do a quick release and serve the Marry Me Chicken with your favorite sides, such as pasta, rice, or vegetables.
More Delicious Chicken Recipes
- Cream Cheese Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast
- Filipino Chicken Adobo
- Crispy Chicken Parmesan
- Easy Creamy Chicken Florentine
Marry Me Chicken Recipe
Description
Ingredients
- 6 bone-in chicken thighs skin-on
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 3/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1/2 tsp salt or more to taste
- 1/4 tsp pepper or more to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 380°F/190°C. Generously season the chicken tights with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- When hot, add the chicken to the skillet skin side down. Sear for 4 to 5 minutes until golden on each side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and keep warm.
- Reduce the heat and cook minced garlic for about one minute or until fragrant. Stir in broth, heavy cream, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese. Season with dried oregano and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer, then return chicken to skillet, then transfer to the preheated oven.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165°F.
- Cover the chicken with sauce, garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil and serve immediately with your favorite sides.
Video
Notes
How do we calculate the nutrition info?
These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.
READER FAVORITES
The full recipe is in the recipe card below. Readers that love this aslo made these recipes:
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs for this recipe?
Sure, Mary! Chicken breast is a great option in this recipe. If you try it, let me know how it turns out!
6 thighs equals around 18oz meat. I use that much breast meat too.
This recipe is delicious!
Made this tonight for dinner and the whole family loved it , even my picky eater ! I’ve made several of your recipes and they’ve all been delicious. I’ll be making this many more times for sure . The kids had theirs over pasta but my Wife and I did over broccoli. I was looking for less carbs. This is a wonderful recipe and thanks for sharing it with us .
The name of this chicken is accurate, simple to make and so delicious. I decided to make it for friends who just had a baby and they loved it too. This will be a recipe I will be rotating in our home.
Very good. But hubby said it would be good over pasta or rice.
Next time I’m going to thicken the sauce a little more
The sauce is good on asparagus also!
Thank you for sharing your feedback on the Marry Me Chicken recipe! Adding pasta or rice to the dish is a great idea to make it more filling and satisfying. Thickening the sauce is also a good suggestion, as it will make the dish even more flavorful and creamy. Using the sauce on asparagus is an innovative idea and a great way to add some extra flavor to your vegetables. Keep experimenting with the recipe!