This creamy Marry Me Chicken is full of flavor from sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan. Easy enough for weeknights, but fancy enough for date night!
The post Marry Me Chicken appeared first on Budget Bytes.
Any time a recipe goes viral with “Marry Me” in the title, I am always extra curious to give it a try. I mean, if a skillet dinner has that much power, I need to know what the fuss is about. And this easy Marry Me Chicken Recipe certainly doesn’t disappoint. It’s creamy, savory, and just the right amount of indulgence. The sun-dried tomato sauce and succulent chicken breasts give it that restaurant-level flavor, but it’s shockingly simple to make. And I’m happy to report that this “Marry Me Chicken” did make my husband want to renew his wedding vows (yay!), so I feel super confident sharing it with you!
Easy Recipe for Marry Me Chicken
The name “Marry Me Chicken” supposedly comes from the idea that this dish is so delicious it could inspire a marriage proposal on the spot. And listen—I love my husband, but we all know marriage is a big commitment! (Although my husband claims he married me for my vegan lasagna! Who wants the recipe?!) But I can understand why this recipe has won so many hearts. The chicken breasts are pan-fried until perfectly golden, but the real magic here is in the sauce. It’s tangy, creamy, and perfectly garlicky. It also simmers in the same skillet I cooked the chicken in, picking up every bit of flavor. One bite and you’ll see what all the fuss is about. 😉
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Marry Me Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts $5.80
- ¼ tsp salt $0.01
- ⅛ tsp freshly cracked black pepper $0.02
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour $0.03
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil, divided $0.10
- 2 Tbsp butter, divided $0.24
- ½ onion, julienned (sliced thinly) $0.45
- 4 cloves garlic, minced $0.16
- 1 ½ tsp Italian herb blend $0.30
- ½ Tbsp fresh parsley, minced $0.05
- 1 cup chicken broth* $0.09
- 1 cup heavy cream, room temperature $1.68
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, diced $1.38
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese $0.67
- 1 Tbsp fresh basil, torn $0.89
- ½ 16 oz. box rigatoni, cooked** $0.48
Instructions
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Place the chicken into a heavy-duty freezer bag or between two sheets of plastic wrap. Tenderize the chicken, pounding it thin until it’s about 1/2 inch thick.
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Rub all sides of the chicken with salt and pepper and then sprinkle with the flour until completely covered.
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Heat 1 Tbsp oil and 1 Tbsp butter in a skillet on medium heat and brown chicken on both sides for 6-8 minutes. Once the internal temperature reaches 165℉, remove the chicken from the pan and let it rest.
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Add the remaining 1 Tbsp oil to the pan, plus 1 Tbsp butter, sliced onions, and minced garlic. Sauté until onions are softening and turning golden brown.
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Add all herbs (except fresh basil) and deglaze the pan with chicken broth, whisking up all of the bits from the bottom of the pan. Turn heat to medium-low and let it come to a gentle simmer.
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Add heavy cream and sun-dried tomatoes, whisking to combine. Let it simmer on medium-low heat, whisking occasionally until the sauce reduces to a gravy-like consistency.
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Then, add grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Whisk to combine. You’ll notice the sauce will really begin to thicken with the addition of the cheese. Once the cheese is melted, just a minute later, turn off the heat.
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Return cooked chicken breasts to the hot pan, spooning the sauce over the breasts. Serve over the cooked pasta!
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Notes
**There are 8 servings in one 16oz box of rigatoni, but feel free to make the entire box to stretch this meal even further! You can also use any other pasta you like.
The yield on this recipe says 4 because chicken breasts these days are HUGE. Serve half a breast sliced over your favorite pasta and call it a meal. Doing this also keeps this recipe as budget-friendly as possible. Not to mention, there’s plenty of sauce, so that pasta’s necessary.
Nutrition
how to make Marry Me Chicken step-by-step photos
Gather all of your ingredients.
Pound the chicken: Pop 2 chicken breasts into a heavy-duty freezer bag or layer them between two sheets of plastic wrap. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken into an even thickness, about 1/2 inch thick all the way across.
Coat the chicken: Season each side of the pounded chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. I use ¼ tsp salt and ⅛ tsp black pepper total. Now, cover them with ¼ cup all-purpose flour, evenly coating each side.
Pan-fry the chicken: In a skillet over medium heat, add 1 Tbsp of oil and 1 Tbsp butter. Once hot, add the flour-coated chicken and cook on both sides for 6-8 minutes. They’re done once the internal temperature reaches 165℉. Remove the chicken from the skillet and transfer to a plate. Set aside for now to let the chicken rest.
Make the sauce: Add 1 Tbsp oil, 1 Tbsp butter, ½ an onion (thinly sliced), and 4 cloves minced garlic to the same skillet you cooked the chicken in. Sauté until the onions soften nicely and start turning golden brown.
Add 1 ½ tsp Italian herb blend and ½ Tbsp fresh parsley to the skillet. Pour in 1 cup chicken broth to deglaze the pan and whisk up all the stuck-on bits from the bottom of the pan (this adds flavor!) Turn the heat to medium-low and bring everything to a simmer.
Pour in 1 cup room temperature heavy cream and ¼ cup diced sun-dried tomatoes. Stir to combine. Continue to simmer over medium-low and whisk occasionally until the sauce is reduced. It should resemble a gravy-like consistency once reduced enough.
Once the desired consistency is reached, add ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese and 1 Tbsp fresh basil. Whisk to evenly distribute the cheese and basil. The sauce will start to thicken pretty quickly as the Parmesan melts. When all the cheese is melted, which will only take a minute, turn the heat off.
Assemble the dish: Add your cooked chicken breasts back into the skillet and spoon some of that creamy sauce overtop.
Serve: Slice each chicken breast in half, plate up your Marry Me Chicken with the cooked rigatoni, and enjoy!
Recipe Success Tips!
- Pound the chicken for even cooking. I like to gently pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness so they cook evenly and stay juicy. I aim for a 1/2-inch thickness all the way across the breasts.
- Check the internal temperature of the chicken. I always make sure the chicken hits 165°F on an instant-read thermometer before removing it from the pan. This keeps things safe and delicious! If you don’t have a thermometer, it’s ready when the juices run clear, and the center is no longer pink. Chicken breasts can overcook and dry out pretty quickly, so I keep a close eye on them in those last few minutes.
- Grate your own Parmesan. Pre-shredded just doesn’t melt the same and can create a grainy texture in your sauce. I recommend using freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if possible.
Storage & Reheating
I’d keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the microwave or, better yet, on the stovetop until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. You can add a splash of broth or water to loosen up the sauce as needed. I wouldn’t really recommend freezing this dish, as cream-based sauces can separate and become grainy after thawing.
Serving Suggestions
I served this Marry Me chicken recipe over rigatoni, but any type of pasta will work out great. My family also loves it over creamy mashed potatoes or with a hunk of warm, crusty bread to soak everything up. A side of sautéed asparagus would also round out the meal nicely. Whatever you choose, just make sure nothing goes to waste…that sauce is gold!
More Easy Chicken Breast Recipes
The post Marry Me Chicken appeared first on Budget Bytes.
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