There’s a reason this dish has become an internet sensation over the past few years, racking up millions of views and just as many devoted home cooks. Marry Me Chicken is tender pan-seared chicken breast simmered in a rich, creamy sauce loaded with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and parmesan – the kind of dish so good, legend has it, that it’s inspired more than a few marriage proposals across the dinner table.

Whether or not it actually leads to a proposal in your house, one thing’s for certain: it’s an absolute showstopper for a fraction of the effort you’d expect, and easily special enough for a date night in, while still being simple enough for a weeknight when you want dinner to feel like an occasion.

Marry Me Chicken

Serves 4 | Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 25 minutes

Ingredients

4 chicken breast fillets (or 6–8 thigh fillets)
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons plain flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chicken stock
3/4 cup thickened cream
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, roughly chopped (plus 1 tablespoon of the oil from the jar)
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried chilli flakes (optional, for a little heat)
Handful fresh basil leaves, torn, to serve

Method

Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper, then lightly dust each piece with the flour, shaking off any excess.
Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4–5 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside, loosely covered to keep warm.
Reduce the heat to medium and add the reserved sun-dried tomato oil to the same pan. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Pour in the chicken stock and let it simmer for 2 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly.
Stir in the cream, sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan, oregano and chilli flakes (if using). Simmer gently for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
Return the chicken to the pan, spooning the sauce generously over the top. Simmer for a further 3–4 minutes, until the chicken is heated through and the sauce has reached your desired consistency.
Scatter over the fresh basil just before serving.

Serving suggestions

Marry Me Chicken pairs beautifully with a bed of pasta, creamy mashed potato, or simply a thick slice of crusty bread to mop up every last bit of that sauce. A side of steamed greens or a simple rocket salad with lemon dressing cuts through the richness nicely.

Tips
Chicken thighs work just as well as breast, and stay slightly more forgiving if you’re not watching the clock too closely.

If your sauce becomes too thick, loosen it with a splash more chicken stock; if it’s too thin, let it simmer a little longer before returning the chicken.

Leftovers keep well in the fridge for 2–3 days and reheat beautifully — the flavours only get better overnight.