Marry me chicken
They say the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, and this marry me chicken might just earn you a proposal. What is the secret? Juicy chicken simmers in a creamy tomato-based sauce with garlic, chilli flakes, sun-dried tomatoes, and basil, resulting in an aromatic, silky sauce that wraps around the chicken and slowly infuses it with delicious flavours. Serve it with a crisp salad and potatoes on the side, and you are all set for a yes.
Ingredients
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4
Chicken breast fillets
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1 tsp
Salt
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Freshly ground black pepper
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30 g
Flour
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1 tbsp
Oil
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2
Shallots
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2
Garlic cloves
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2 tbsp
Tomato purée
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½ tsp
Chilli flakes
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40 g
Sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
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200 ml
Water
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1
Cube chicken stock
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300 ml
Double cream
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100 g
Baby spinach
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30 g
Fresh basil
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To serve
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900 g
Potatoes
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Mixed green salads
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Instructions
Recipe tips
It’s often the small details that make the biggest impact in the kitchen, so we’re sharing the tips we rely on when cooking and creating recipes
If you are short on time, you can prepare most of the recipe up to a few hours in advance. Peel and cut the potatoes, then store them in cold water in the fridge. Season and dredge the chicken in flour, then keep it covered and chilled. Even the sauce base (shallots, garlic, tomato purée, sun-dried tomatoes, and chilli flakes) can be cooked in advance and stored in an airtight container. When it is time to cook, you only need to brown the chicken, heat the sauce, and finish it all in one pan.
Leftover marry me chicken keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Let it cool down fully before sealing it in a container. Want to keep it longer? Pop it in the freezer for up to 2 months. Let it defrost overnight in the fridge, then reheat it gently on the stove. A splash of water or cream helps loosen the sauce if it has thickened.
FAQ: Questions about marry me chicken
Check out our answers to the top questions about this creamy and comforting marry me chicken.
What is marry me chicken?
Marry me chicken is a Tuscan-inspired recipe with chicken simmered in a creamy tomato-based sauce with garlic, herbs, and often sun-dried tomatoes. It became popular online for being quick and delicious. The name comes from the idea that it tastes so good, it could lead to a marriage proposal.
How do you get tender chicken breasts?
You get tender chicken breasts by cooking them gently and evenly. After browning them in the pan, let them finish in the sauce over low heat for about 8 minutes. The sauce needs to simmer, not boil, as it will overcook the chicken. It needs to reach an internal temperature of 72 °C – use a meat thermometer to check; if you do not have one, cut into the thickest part. The juices should run clear, and the meat should be white all the way through.
Can you use chicken thighs for marry me chicken?
Yes, you can use chicken thighs instead of breasts for marry me chicken. Boneless, skinless thighs work best and stay tender during simmering. They may need a few extra minutes in the pan, so check that they are fully cooked by using a thermometer; the temperature should reach 72 °C. If that is not an option, cut into the thickest part to check that the meat is opaque.
What to serve with marry me chicken?
Serve marry me chicken with potatoes and a crisp green salad for a well-rounded dinner experience. You can also swap the potatoes for pasta; short shapes like orzo, penne, or fusilli are all fantastic options. Garlic bread is a possibility if you want a bit of crunch on the side.
Nutritional values
Nutritional value, per
2690 Kcal
| Fibre | - | 31.2 gram fibers |
| Protein | 25.9 | 171.3 gram |
| Fat | 44.9 | 136.7 gram |
| Carbohydrates | 29.2 | 193.2 gram |
Recommended information
Serving suggestion
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Discover the popular marry me chicken
Our easy marry me chicken recipe will show you why the internet fell head over heels for it and what makes it live up to its name. Simple to prepare and made entirely in one pan, it creates a luscious sauce that clings to succulent, golden chicken. Give it a shot, and you will understand what the hype is about. And if someone drops to one knee before dessert, do not say we did not warn you.
Marry me chicken is not the only recipe that has caused a stir online. The Dubai chocolate bar, crispy pasta chips, and roasted tomato pasta have each had their moment, too.
Juicy, tender chicken in a creamy sauce
The chicken gets a quick sauté in the pan, forming a golden crust that seals in its juices and keeps the meat tender. After that, it settles into a creamy sauce, rich with double cream and savoury chicken stock. Garlic and shallots offer subtle sweetness and a hint of sharpness, while tomato purée deepens the sauce with its mellow tanginess. As the chicken simmers, it absorbs the sauce’s flavours, becoming even more tender and juicy, while the sauce itself becomes silky and full-bodied.
Extra flavour from sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and chilli flakes
We stir in sun-dried tomatoes for their concentrated sweetness and slightly tangy taste, which deepens the flavour of the tomato purée. Spinach goes in near the end and imparts a gentle, leafy texture and mild earthiness to the sauce. A pinch of chilli flakes provides a little heat that cuts through the cream and gives the sauce a subtle fiery kick.
Served with boiled potatoes and fresh mixed greens
We like to serve marry me chicken with a classic side of boiled potatoes and a fresh salad. The salad is entirely up to you, but we particularly like one with a mix of red cabbage, green asparagus, and spring onions, finished off with a simple vinaigrette and lemon zest. It adds a bit of colour and introduces a pleasant crunch, which works so well with the creamy sauce and tender chicken.
Best enjoyed with friends, family, and loved ones
Marry me chicken deserves to be enjoyed in good company, whether it is served when friends come over or you need a family-friendly meal. Given its eye-catching presentation, comforting feel, and overall simplicity, it suits a slow, relaxed evening just as well as a more thoughtful dinner when you want to make a bit more of the moment.
Personalise the recipe
If you want to change things up, the recipe for marry me chicken handles extra herbs, vegetables, and spices with no complaints. To lean into the Tuscan inspiration, try stirring in a mix of fresh herbs like oregano, thyme, or rosemary alongside the basil. Oregano offers a slightly peppery warmth, while thyme contributes an earthy note, and rosemary gives a more pronounced, pine-like flavour.
If you want to introduce more veggies, stir in a handful of green beans for their fresh, crisp-tender bite. Other great options include courgettes with their delicate, sweet note, mushrooms for their meaty texture and umami flavour.
For the finish, we recommend some of Italy’s staple cheeses, such as Parmesan, Grana Padano, and Pecorino. They all share similar flavour profiles, but each has its own distinct taste. Pecorino is salty and robust, while Grana Padano is mild with a subtle milkiness. Parmesan cheese sits between the two in strength, with a nutty undertone and a bit more bite than Grana Padano.
