Best Marry Me Chicken

Lindsay Funston is the current Executive Editor at Delish, where she manages all food, culture, video and social content. She’s worn many hats at the brand over the years: traveling the country in pursuit of pickles, creating gravity-defying “cheese pulls”, and almost burning down the Delish kitchen with marshmallow cupcakes.

Marry Me Chicken

If you’re looking for a chicken dinner so good jaws will drop, this is the recipe for you. Chicken breasts are seared until golden, before being baked with a simple (but extremely satisfying) cream sauce that results in a chicken that’s packed with flavor in every bite. Whether you’re making this for your partner in crime or special someone for an extra-special Valentine’s Day, get ready for sounds of pure joy after the first bite.

What is “Marry Me” chicken?
Many of you have probably heard of Ina Garten’s “Engagement Roast Chicken” before, but this, if I may say, is so much tastier. When Delish editors started devouring this dish, people started blurting out marriage proposal-adjacent praises for this creamy, savory chicken dinner (“I’d marry you for that chicken,” and “OH MY GOD THAT’S MARRIAGE MATERIAL,” were some of the favorites). Hence, the name and this dish were born: A chicken dinner so good, you just might get a proposal by the last bite.

What makes this Italian chicken so special? The seared chicken breasts are cooked alongside a simple but rich cream sauce in the oven, soaking up all of the delicious flavors. The result is a flavor-packed chicken with an accompanying cream sauce to pour over anything (or just eat all on its own, honestly).

How do I make “Marry Me” chicken?
After you sear your chicken breasts, you make a simple cream sauce of garlic, fresh thyme, sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, and heavy cream, which the seared chicken simmers in in the oven so that it soaks up all the flavor.

This is a technique to remember if you don’t already know it: Sear the chicken until golden, make a sauce with some of the chicken drippings (pour off about half), and then add back the chicken and bake or simmer until fully cooked through. This sounds—and tastes—fancy, but is a totally doable cooking trick anyone can master.

What should I serve with this chicken?
This dish is delicious all on its own paired with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus or stuffed mushrooms. But, this dish is also delicious scooped on top of pasta—make a side of garlic bread to soak up all of the creamy sauce.

Made this? Let us know how it went in the comments below!

Yields:

4

Prep Time:

10 mins

Total Time:

40 mins

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp.

  extra-virgin olive oil

• 4

  boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• Kosher salt

• Freshly ground black pepper

• 2

  cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp.

  fresh thyme leaves

• 1 tsp.

  crushed red pepper flakes

• 3/4 c.

  low-sodium chicken broth

• 1/2 c.

  heavy cream

• 1/2 c.

  chopped sun-dried tomatoes

• 1/4 c.

  freshly grated Parmesan

• Freshly torn basil, for serving

• Nutrition Information
• Calories2106 Fat98 gSaturated fat42 gTrans fat0 gCholesterol983 mgSodium3449 mgCarbohydrates23 gFiber5 gSugar14 gProtein269 gVitamin D1 mcgCalcium660 mgIron8 mgPotassium4965 mg
• Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.Powered by

Directions

• 1. Step 1Preheat oven to 375°. In a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Season chicken generously with salt and pepper and sear until golden, 5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate and pour off half the fat from skillet.
  2. Step 2Return skillet to medium heat and add garlic, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Cook until fragrant, 1 minute, then stir in broth, heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan and season with more salt. Bring to a simmer, then return chicken to skillet.
  3. Step 3Transfer skillet to oven and bake until chicken is cooked through (and juices run clear when chicken is pierced with a knife), 10 to 12 minutes.
  4. Step 4Garnish with basil and serve.