This Marry Me Chicken Recipe, with juicy, crispy chicken thighs smothered in a creamy sundried tomato cream sauce, is perfect for date night. It's love at first bite! But this delicious chicken recipe is so simple to make, it could also become your new family favorite chicken dinner.

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What is Marry Me Chicken?
Marry Me Chicken is a name coined for this Sicilian chicken dish a few years ago by delish.com because this flavourful skillet chicken is so crazy delicious that it could potentially trigger a marriage proposal. (Or maybe because the dish is so good that you want to marry it?)
The recipe was an instant hit and has been wildly popular ever since.
What Makes This Chicken Recipe So Good?
- If you like easy chicken recipes, you'll love this creamy marry me chicken recipe. (You'll also love Greek lemon chicken and potatoes, or chicken bacon ranch casserole). It's so simple and uses just one pan and just a handful of ingredients.
- Marry me chicken is perfect for meal prep.
- No flour is needed to thicken the simple sauce , so the recipe is gluten free. It's also low carb and keto diet friendly.
- This easy recipe is fancy enough for a romantic dinner, but with only 30 minutes cook time it's also a great recipe for busy weeknights.
What You Need To Make This Recipe
Chicken
This recipe uses bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. Chicken thighs stay juicy and tender, and the crispy skin is, I think, a big part of the appeal of this dish. However, you can certainly use skinless chicken breasts instead, or boneless skinless chicken thighs, or a combination and you will still have a delicious meal.
Chicken Stock
If you are using store-bought chicken stock (or broth), try to find a no or low sodium version. You will be salting the chicken, and the cheese and capers add saltiness as well. You can substitute vegetable stock if that's what you have.
Heavy Cream
Heavy Cream is essentially, whipping cream, with a fat content of around 35%. Although you could use light cream such as half and half, which has a lower fat content of around 10-18%, your dish may not be quite as thick and creamy. For a non-dairy alternative, you can use coconut milk, but be aware that the recipe will have a definite coconut flavour.
Olive Oil
Because this is an Italian recipe, I'm using olive oil to oil the skillet. However, don't waste your good extra virgin olive oil for this purpose. It will bet lost in the recipe, and it has a very low smoke point, making it unsuitable for frying and searing. If you don't have olive oil, you can use any cooking oil
Mushrooms
I used cremini button mushrooms for this recipe, but any mushrooms will work! if you have porcini mushrooms, all the better.
Sun Dried Tomatoes
You can buy sun-dried tomatoes two ways; dry-packed, or oil-packed. I'm using the dry-packed ones in this recipe, but you can use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes if that's what you have. Just be sure they are well-drained and also patted dry so that you don't introduce extra oil into the recipe.
Capers
Capers add a bright punch to this creamy dish, but if you don't have them try pitted green olives, quartered.
Parmesan Cheese
Nothing but the real thing will do for this special dish. It is, after all, called Marry Me Chicken, is it not? So pull out all the stops and use either freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano, or Grana Padano.
Additional Ingredients
In spite of the cute name for this Marry Me Chicken recipe, it is really just a Sicilian skillet chicken. I have added mushrooms, capers, and spinach to my version. Olives, grape tomatoes, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, feta cheese are also good additions.
How To Make It, Step by Step
- Heat oil in a large skillet ( oven-safe).
- Add mushrooms and cook, stirring until they're are tender and brown. Remove mushrooms to a plate.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper
- Add chicken. Sear until golden brown, on both sides. Transfer chicken to a plate lined with paper towels.
- Add garlic, thyme and chili flakes to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute
- Add cream, chicken stock, sundried tomatoes and mushrooms, capers and parmesan cheese. Cook for 1 minute
- Allow sauce to come to a simmer
- Return chicken, skin side up, to the skillet. Transfer skillet to the oven. Bake 15-20 minutes.
- Remove skillet from the oven and stir in spinach leaves until wilted
- Garnish with basil and serve
Recipe Tips
- You will need a large oven safe skillet because the recipe goes from stovetop to oven. I used my Circulon pan, and a large cast iron skillet would also be ideal.
- When searing chicken pieces, leave enough space around each piece so that they will brown instead of steam. If your skillet isn't large enough, brown in 2 batches.
- The secret to a good sear is to flip only once. It might be tempting to keep checking, but if you leave the chicken for the full four minutes on each side, you will get a beautiful golden sear that doesn't stick, as well a crispy skin.
- The finished chicken should have an internal temperature of 165ยฐ. The only safe and sure way to tell if chicken is cooked properly is using a meat thermometer. It's an inexpensive tool and let's you have perfect results every time.
- If you are making this dish ahead of time, don't add the spinach and basil until after reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make the dish ahead of time, earlier in the day. Allow it to cool, then cover the skillet with foil, and keep it in the fridge until it's time to eat. Re-heat it on the stovetop over medium heat, until the sauce is bubbling, then place the skillet under the broiler for 5 minutes to ensure the skin is crisp.
I don't recommend freezing this recipe. Cream sauces often separate after thawing. Also the chicken skin will not be crispy after thawing.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Serving Suggestions
You could serve Marry Me Chicken with pasta, cauliflower rice or rice (especially wild rice) to soak up the delicious sauce, or you can serve it on its own, with just a side vegetable, like these tender-crisp green beans that I used. Asparagus, roasted cauliflower, roasted carrots or steamed broccoli, are all good choices, too.
Want More Chicken?
Try some of these recipes too!
Recipe
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Marry Me Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup mushrooms sliced
- 6 chicken thighs bone-in, skin on
- salt & pepper
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ยพ cup chicken stock no or low sodium
- ยฝ cup heavy cream
- ยฝ cup sundried tomatoes chopped
- 2 teaspoon capers
- ยฝ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup baby spinach leaves
- ยผ cup fresh basil cut into ribbons
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375ยฐ
- Heat oil in a large skillet (oven-safe) over medium-high heat
- Add mushrooms and cook, stirring until mushrooms are tender and brown, and liquid is cooked off about 5 minutes. Remove mushrooms to a plate.
- Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper on both sides
- Add chicken, skin side down to the skillet. Sear until golden brown, on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate.
- Drain or wipe out any excess fat from the skillet. Add garlic, thyme and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute
- Reduce heat to medium and stir in broth, cream, sundried tomatoes, mushrooms, capers and Parmesan
- Allow sauce to come to a simmer
- Return chicken, skin side up, to the skillet. Transfer skillet to the oven
- Bake until chicken is at an internal temperature of 165ยฐ, 15-20 minutes
- Remove skillet from the oven and stir in spinach leaves until wilted
- Garnish with basil and serve
Notes
- You will need a large oven safe skillet because the recipe goes from stovetop to oven. I used my Circulon pan,ย and a large cast iron skillet would also be ideal.
- When searing chicken pieces, leave enough space around each piece so that they will brown instead of steam. If your skillet isn't large enough, brown in 2 batches.ย
- The secret to a good sear is to flip only once. It might be tempting to keep checking, but if you leave the chicken for the full four minutes on each side, you will get a beautiful golden sear that doesn't stick, as well a crispy skin.
- The finished chicken should have an internal temperature of 165ยฐ. The only safe and sure way to tell if chicken is cooked properly is using a meat thermometer. It's an inexpensive tool and let's you have perfect results every time.
- If you are making this dish ahead of time, don't add the spinach or basil until after reheating.
Lisa
Made this last night and it was delicious!!! I wanted to pour myself a bowl of the sauce and eat it like soup.
Colleen
Hi Lisa! I'm so happy to hear this! I would totally be fine with eating it like soup ๐ Thanks for your comment!
Shea P
I would marry this chicken - looks amazing, going to make it this weekend ๐ค
Colleen
Hi Shea, I hope you love it, it's yummy! And so simple to make. Enjoy!
Maggie
This recipe was easy to make, little clean up, simple, and absolutely delicious. My husband absolutely loved them!! I would highly recommend this recipe!! Mouth watering good...
Sarah C
This recipe is my go-to every time I'm having friends over for dinner. It's the best!
Colleen
Hi Sarah, I'm super happy to know this! I'm sure you must get lots of proposals! ๐
Terri Gilson
Oh this chicken looks divine! I've heard about it and always wanted to try it. I had never heard of engagement chicken, however. Fun story!
Colleen
Thanks Terri! I hope you give this chicken a try. You'll love it, I promise. ๐
Denise@urbnspice
What a wonderful name for a delicious dish! I loved your additions too, Colleen as well as your suggestions for other additions and side dish ideas. I must make it soon. My husband will love it! Thanks so much for sharing.
Katherine | Love In My Oven
Ooh I do, I do!! I'm saying yes to this delicious chicken recipe! Killer! I might actually make this for dinner tomorrow!!
Colleen
Haha, Katherine. Thanks for saying I do to this delicious chicken. Enjoy!!
Caroline
I love the sound of the flavors in this - nothing too complicated but packs a great flavor punch.
Colleen
Caroline, it's crazy delicious considering how simple it is to make.
Yvonne Langen
This chicken is delicious but Iโm still single. Any ideas on recipes that will help me catch a man?
Colleen
Yvonne, who needs a man when you have this chicken, plus one of your amazing cocktails? Add some girlfriends and you are set.
Lisa
I love how easy the recipe is and how flavorful the ingredients are. And chicken thighs are definitely the best! I'd never heard of Marry Me Chicken...thanks for sharing it!
Colleen
Lisa, this is truly a beautiful recipe for it simplicity and amazing flavour. I hope you love it, too!
Farah Abumaizar
Ok love the name, love the ingredients and I'm sure I'll love the dish. Can't wait to try it!
Colleen
It's simply amazing, Farah! I know you are going to love it!
Anita
That is indeed one sexy looking chicken dish. This will be perfect for a date night dinner. ๐
Joss
This is one of my favourite dinners. I love everything about this dish! Yum.
Jessica
YUM! Sounds so delicious and what a perfect dish to share with the ones you love!
Vanessa
I can see how this got its name. I would definitely love someone to make this for me๐.
Colleen
Vanessa, I hope you have someone to make this for you! If not, I hope you can make it for someone yourself. Happy Valentines Day!