Description
Marry Me Chicken is a deliciously creamy and flavorful chicken dish featuring tender cutlets cooked in a rich sauce of garlic, heavy cream, parmesan, sundried tomatoes, and aromatic herbs. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or special occasion, this recipe delivers a beautiful balance of spicy, cheesy, and savory flavors in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 3 large chicken breasts (boneless and skinless, sliced lengthwise into thin cutlets)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 cup heavy cream (double cream in the UK)
- ½ cup parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- ¼ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon thyme
- ⅓ cup sundried tomatoes (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Season and Dredge Chicken: Season the chicken cutlets with salt and black pepper, then coat each piece in all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess to ensure a light, even layer.
- Heat Fat and Prepare Pan: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil and melt the unsalted butter. Swirl to coat the pan evenly for cooking.
- Brown the Chicken: Working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, cook the chicken cutlets for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate, cover, and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté Garlic and Deglaze Pan: Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about a minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken stock and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, incorporating that flavor into the sauce.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Reduce heat to medium-low, then stir in the heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese. Let the sauce simmer gently for a couple of minutes until slightly thickened, stirring often.
- Season Sauce and Incorporate Tomatoes: Stir in chili flakes, thyme, oregano, and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Add the chopped sundried tomatoes and return the chicken cutlets to the skillet, allowing the sauce to simmer and thicken further while the chicken reheats.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped basil leaves over the dish just before serving. Serve the Marry Me Chicken warm atop pasta, rice, or your preferred side for a comforting and flavorful meal.
Notes
- For best results, slice chicken breasts evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
- You can substitute chicken stock with vegetable broth for a slightly different flavor profile.
- Adjust the chili flakes to your preferred spice level; omit for a milder dish.
- Fresh parmesan cheese enhances the sauce's creaminess—grate it yourself if possible.
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up the rich sauce.
