Marry Me Chicken (TikTok Viral Recipe) Recipe
Marry Me Chicken is a creamy, flavorful skillet chicken dish with a rich parmesan and sun-dried tomato sauce. This TikTok viral recipe features tender chicken thighs simmered in a garlicky, spicy creamy sauce, garnished with fresh basil, and ready in just 30 minutes. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, it pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables, rice, or pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs (or thin chicken breast cutlets)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 tsp paprika (not smoked)
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tbsp butter
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning (or 1/2 tsp dried oregano + 1/2 tsp dried basil)
- 1/4 – 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 3/4 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves (thinly sliced for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs if necessary. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Generously season both sides of the chicken with salt, black pepper, and paprika to build a flavorful crust.
- Brown the chicken: Heat the olive oil and melt the butter together in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until browned but not fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet, place it on a plate, cover loosely with foil, and set aside.
- Sauté garlic and deglaze: Lower the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the browned bits off the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to incorporate all the flavor into the sauce.
- Add cream and seasonings: Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy whipping cream, dried Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Warm the cream gently but do not let it boil to prevent burning.
- Melt in Parmesan: Gradually sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese while stirring constantly. This slow incorporation prevents the cheese from clumping and creates a smooth, rich sauce.
- Finish the sauce and cook chicken: Stir in the chopped sun dried tomatoes. Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Simmer on low for several more minutes until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes as desired.
- Serve and garnish: Sprinkle thin slivers of fresh basil over the dish before serving. Enjoy the Marry Me Chicken with your choice of sides such as roasted vegetables, cauliflower rice for a low-carb option, or traditional rice or pasta to soak up the delicious sauce.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for more juiciness and flavor, but thin chicken breast cutlets work as a leaner alternative.
- Do not overcook the chicken when browning; it should be just golden to finish cooking in the sauce.
- The sauce should be heated gently to avoid burning the cream or causing the cheese to clump.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Sun dried tomatoes add a sweet and tangy depth; if unavailable, substitute with roasted red peppers.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the creamy texture and fresh basil aroma.
