Yum & Done

Marry Me Chicken
Marry Me Chicken is golden seared chicken in a creamy sun-dried tomato and parmesan sauce, ready in one pan and rich enough to earn its name.
★★★★½ 4.8 (263 ratings)
15 minPrep time35 minCook time6Servings485 kcalCalories
🧂 Ingredients
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1 3/4 lb / 800g)
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup (70g) sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (50g) finely grated parmesan
- 1/4 cup (10g) fresh basil leaves, torn
📋 Instructions
- 1Dry and season the chicken — Pat the thighs thoroughly dry with paper towels and season both sides with the salt and pepper. Let them sit at room temperature for 10 minutes so they cook evenly.
- 2Sear until golden — Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (about 375F / 190C) until it shimmers. Add the chicken in a single layer and sear 5 to 6 minutes per side, until deeply golden brown and the center reads 165F / 74C on an instant-read thermometer. Move to a plate.
- 3Soften the garlic — Lower the heat to medium (about 300F / 150C), add the butter, and stir in the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook 60 to 90 seconds, until the garlic smells sweet and turns pale gold, not brown.
- 4Build the cream sauce — Pour in the heavy cream and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a gentle simmer, then lower the heat to medium-low (about 250F / 120C) and cook 3 to 4 minutes, until the sauce coats the back of a spoon.
- 5Melt in the parmesan — Pull the pan off the heat and whisk in the parmesan until the sauce is smooth and glossy. Taste and add salt only if it needs it.
- 6Return the chicken — Nestle the chicken back into the sauce along with any juices on the plate. Simmer over low heat (about 225F / 110C) for 5 to 6 minutes, until the sauce bubbles softly at the edges and the chicken is hot through.
- 7Finish with basil — Scatter the torn basil over the top, turn off the heat, and let the pan sit for 3 minutes. The sauce will thicken slightly as it rests.
- 8Serve and spoon over — Spoon the sauce generously over each piece of chicken and serve right away with crusty bread, rice, or mashed potatoes to catch every drop.
👨🍳 Chef's Note: The sauce thickens as it stands, so if it looks loose right after the parmesan goes in, give it a minute before adjusting. A final taste with salt and a squeeze of lemon is the difference between good and memorable.
Nutrition (per serving): 485 kcal · 33g protein · 8g carbs · 36g fat