The Viral “Marry Me Chicken” Recipe That Had My Husband Asking for Seconds

Some recipes go viral for the drama… but this one lives up to the hype. And if you’re looking for a cozy, flavorful meal that feels special without requiring hours in the kitchen, Marry Me Chicken might just be your new go-to.

I made it for my husband and son last weekend and served it with simple roasted broccoli and cauliflower and let’s just say, there were zero leftovers and a lot of happy silence at the table (you know the kind).

So what is Marry Me Chicken?
It’s a creamy, skillet-style chicken dish with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan that somehow manages to feel both comforting and elevated. Legend has it that it got its name when someone took one bite and said, “I’d marry you for this chicken.” 😂

And now… I get it.

My Mouth is watering just looking at this!

🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4)

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)

  • 1 tsp salt

  • ½ tsp black pepper

  • ½ tsp garlic powder

  • ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, but adds depth)

  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (just enough for a light dredge) I used gluten free.

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 2 tbsp butter

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • ¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth

  • ¾ cup heavy cream

  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained)

  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

  • ¼ cup chopped fresh basil (or 1 tsp dried)

👩‍🍳 How to Make It

  1. Pound + Season + Sear the Chicken:
    Make your life easier with this first step… pound the chicken in a Ziploc bag (or between parchment paper) so it’s not too thick and cooks evenly. Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Lightly dredge in flour. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Sear chicken on each side for 4–5 minutes until golden (it doesn’t need to be fully cooked yet). Remove and set aside.

  2. Make the Sauce:
    Add garlic to the same skillet and sauté for 30 seconds. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any brown bits. Stir in the cream, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and red pepper flakes. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes.

  3. Simmer the Chicken:
    Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon some sauce over each piece. Cover and simmer for 7–10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through (165°F internal temp).

  4. Finish + Serve:
    Garnish with chopped basil and serve warm.

🍽 What I Served It With

I kept it simple and roasted some broccoli and cauliflower with olive oil, salt, pepper & Trader Joe’s Green Goddess Seasoning Blend. The creamy chicken paired perfectly with the roasted veggies. Even though I cook a lot, this dish got rave reviews from both my husband and my son. That’s the kind of win I love.

You just can’t go wrong with roasted broccoli & cauliflower!

💡 Midlife-Friendly Tips

  • Want to lighten it up? Try using half & half or plain Greek yogurt in place of cream.

  • Not watching carbs? Serve with rice or potatoes.

  • Trying to hit your protein goals? Each chicken breast has around 35–40g of protein!

Biggest tip of all?

Don’t skip this step! Use a meat mallet or even a rolling pin will do the trick! It tenderizes and reduces cooking time. No more worrying if you cooked a thick chicken breast all the way through!

🥰 Final Thoughts

Marry Me Chicken is one of those rare dishes that feels like a restaurant meal… but it’s actually doable on a weeknight. Whether you're cooking for your partner, your family, or just want to treat yourself, this is one to keep in rotation.

If you make it, tag me on Instagram @jillblewis. I’d love to see your version!

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