Marry Me Chicken is one of my favorite chicken recipes to make for dinner during the week — it’s my family’s favorite chicken dish. You can make it in a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or one pan on the stovetop.
What I like most is the flavor: the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce is just amazing and comforting. And it’s on the table in under 35 minutes, with mostly hands-off cooking. No fancy ingredients or technique required — just a skillet and a few pantry staples.
This version is built for real life. It’s perfect for a Tuesday night, and healthy enough that you’re not choosing between “fast” and “good for you.”
Now here’s the full stovetop recipe, with slow cooker and Instant Pot notes below:
Marry Me Chicken Recipe
This marry-me chicken recipe is ready in about 35 minutes, with a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce your whole family will ask for again and again.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter sauce)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 5 to 6 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Lower the heat to medium. Add the butter and garlic to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add the sun-dried tomatoes and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in the cream, parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Let it simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, until the sauce starts to thicken.
- Add the spinach and stir until wilted, about 1 minute.
- Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon the sauce over the top, and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to heat everything through.
- Garnish with fresh basil and serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 680Total Fat: 46gSaturated Fat: 25gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 214mgSodium: 1056mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 4gSugar: 4gProtein: 52g
Ingredient Swaps
- Chicken thighs instead of breasts: Boneless, skinless thighs work great here and stay a little more forgiving if they cook a minute or two longer than planned. Sear them the same way; check that they hit 165°F before moving on.
- Dairy-free version: Swap the heavy cream for full-fat coconut cream and skip the parmesan, or use a dairy-free parmesan alternative. The sauce will taste slightly different but still comes out rich and creamy.
- Budget swap for sun-dried tomatoes: Use a tablespoon of tomato paste plus a handful of chopped fresh or canned diced tomatoes if sun-dried tomatoes aren’t in your budget that week.
Different Ways to Cook It
Oven-baked marry me chicken: Sear the chicken and build the sauce in an oven-safe skillet as directed through step 5, then nestle the chicken back into the sauce and transfer the skillet to a 375°F oven for 15 to 18 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked through.
Slow cooker (crock pot) marry me chicken: Sear the chicken first for flavor, then transfer it to the slow cooker with the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, broth, and seasonings. Cook on low for 4 hours. Stir in the cream and parmesan during the last 20 minutes so the sauce doesn’t separate.
Instant Pot marry me chicken: Sear the chicken using the sauté function, then add the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, broth, and seasonings. Pressure cook on high for 8 minutes, then quick release. Stir in the cream and parmesan afterward and let it sit on the warm setting for a few minutes to thicken.
What to Serve It With
This sauce is made for soaking up, so serving it over pasta or orzo is an easy way to stretch the meal for a family. Regular spaghetti, penne, or orzo all work well, and orzo in particular makes the whole dish feel a little more like a one-pot meal since it cooks up soft and creamy right alongside the sauce. Rice, mashed potatoes, or a side of crusty bread are good options too if you’re skipping pasta.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips
Marry me chicken holds up well for meal prep. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It also freezes well for up to 2 months, though the sauce may separate slightly when thawed. Reheat gently over low heat, stirring often, and add a splash of broth or cream if the sauce needs loosening up.
FAQ
Where the Name Comes From
Marry Me Chicken gets its name from a simple idea: the sauce is so good, it could inspire a marriage proposal. It’s become a weeknight favorite because it tastes like a special-occasion meal. Yet it takes hardly any effort to make.
Is marry me chicken healthy?
This version leans healthier than most by using lean chicken breast, spinach for extra nutrients, and the option to swap in half-and-half instead of heavy cream. It’s a solid source of protein and can easily fit into a balanced weeknight meal.
Can I make marry me chicken in advance?
Yes. You can cook it fully and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days, then reheat it gently on the stove. The flavor actually holds up well the next day.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes, coconut cream is the easiest swap for the heavy cream, and you can leave out the parmesan or use a dairy-free alternative. See the Ingredient Swaps section above for details.
What’s the best side dish for marry me chicken?
Pasta or orzo are the most popular pairings since they soak up the sauce well, but rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread all work too.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes, boneless, skinless thighs work well in this recipe and tend to stay juicy even if they cook a little longer than planned.
Can I make this in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?
Yes, both methods are outlined above. The slow cooker takes about 4 hours on low, and the Instant Pot version is ready in around 8 minutes of pressure cooking plus time to come to pressure.
How long do leftovers last?
Leftovers can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a chicken recipe that the whole family will enjoy, Marry Me Chicken is the one. It’s the perfect chicken dish for a busy weeknight dinner, and one you’ll want to have on repeat.
Whether you’re making it on the stove or setting it in a slow cooker, this is a great dish. Either way, you get a hands-off dinner that still feels special.
