Marry Me Chicken Skillet (Easy One-Pan Recipe)

This Marry Me Chicken Skillet is my easy, weeknight-friendly take on the classic viral dish. Instead of whole chicken breasts finished in the oven, this version uses sliced chicken cooked entirely in one pan, resulting in tender, juicy pieces and a rich, creamy sun-dried tomato sauce that comes together faster and with less effort. It may look a little more rustic than the traditional presentation, but the flavour is nothing short of unforgettable.

Hey, folks – I hope you all are doing well!

If you’ve ever wanted to try Marry Me Chicken without committing to a longer, oven-finished recipe, this skillet version is for you. It’s cozy, bold, and deeply satisfying, with a creamy sauce that clings beautifully to every bite of chicken. So, let’s dive into this Marry Me Chicken Skillet.

What Is Marry Me Chicken?

Marry Me Chicken is a creamy Italian-inspired chicken dish made with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, herbs, cream, and Parmesan. Legend has it that it’s so good, it might just prompt a marriage proposal. While the classic version often features whole chicken breasts finished in the oven, this skillet adaptation keeps everything on the stovetop, making it quicker, easier, and perfect for a cozy dinner at home — especially around Valentine’s Day.

What Is Marry Me Chicken?

Marry Me Chicken is a creamy Italian-inspired chicken dish made with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, herbs, cream, and Parmesan. While the classic version often features whole chicken breasts finished in the oven, this skillet adaptation keeps everything on the stovetop, making it quicker, easier, and perfect for a cozy dinner at home.

Marry Me Chicken is a modern, internet-famous dish rather than a traditional recipe, known for its creamy sun-dried tomato sauce and its playful promise of being “proposal-worthy.” The name reflects the idea that the flavours are so comforting and indulgent they could win someone’s heart. While there’s no single authentic version, the combination of cream, garlic, herbs, and Parmesan has made it a favourite for cozy dinners and Valentine’s Day cooking.

(Checked with my husband, and he’s fully on board lol).

Why You’ll Love This Marry Me Chicken Skillet Recipe

• Faster than the classic recipe. Sliced chicken cooks quickly and evenly without needing the oven.
• One-pan simplicity. Everything comes together in a single skillet.
• Rich, creamy sauce. Sun-dried tomatoes, cream, and Parmesan create a deeply savoury base.
• Bold flavour twist. Smoked paprika and chipotle add colour, warmth, and subtle smokiness.
• Perfect for Valentine’s Day. Cozy, indulgent, and meant to be shared.

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Recipe

To make this Marry Me Chicken Skillet, you will need:

• Chicken breasts. Sliced into thick strips rather than left whole, which allows the chicken to cook faster and more evenly while staying tender and juicy throughout. This also means no oven time is required.
• Extra virgin olive oil. Used to gently sauté the chicken and aromatics, forming the flavour base of the dish. A good-quality olive oil adds subtle richness without overpowering the sauce. If the oil from your sun-dried tomatoes jar is good quality, you can use it instead for extra added flavour.
• Butter. Added after the chicken has cooked to enhance depth, silkiness, and overall richness in the sauce.
• Smoked paprika. My personal twist on the classic recipe, adding warm colour and a subtle smoky note that deepens the flavour of the sauce.
• Chipotle. Also my personal twist on the classic recipe. Used in a small amount for gentle heat and smokiness, complementing the smoked paprika without making the dish spicy.
• Garlic. Finely chopped to melt into the sauce, providing aromatic depth and savoury backbone.
• Fresh thyme. Brings earthy, herbal notes that balance the richness of the cream and cheese. A small amount goes a long way.
• Chili flakes. I used just a little because of the chipotle, but feel free to increase the amount.
• Sun-dried tomatoes. Chopped and stirred into the sauce for concentrated sweetness, acidity, and that signature Marry Me Chicken flavour. If very salty, they can be lightly rinsed first.
• Chicken broth. Loosens the sauce and adds savoury depth while preventing it from becoming overly heavy.
• Cream. Creates the luxurious, velvety texture that defines this dish. It binds the sauce together and balances the acidity of the tomatoes.
• Parmesan cheese. Finely grated so it melts smoothly into the sauce, adding umami and gentle saltiness.
• Salt and black pepper. Used to season the chicken and adjust the sauce to taste.
• Fresh parsley or basil. Sprinkled over the finished dish to add freshness, colour, and contrast to the creamy sauce.

How to Make Marry Me Chicken Skillet

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over low–medium heat and add the sliced chicken. Season with salt and pepper and cook until no longer pink, turning occasionally. Add butter, smoked paprika, and chipotle, then cook briefly to deepen the colour and flavour. Note: Don’t expect a hard sear here – the sliced chicken cooks quickly in fat and juices and stays tender, soaking up the sauce beautifully.

Remove the chicken from the pan and lower the heat. Add garlic, thyme, chili flakes, and a little more oil if needed. Cook gently until fragrant. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, cream, and Parmesan, and let the sauce simmer briefly until slightly thickened.

Return the chicken to the skillet, toss to coat in the sauce, and simmer gently until heated through and perfectly tender. Adjust seasoning as needed, loosen with a splash of broth or cream if necessary, and finish with fresh herbs.

How to Serve and Enjoy

• Spoon the chicken and sauce over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or polenta. (Pasta and chicken is not a common combination in Italy, but this is American-Italian dish, so we are good.)
• Serve with crusty bread to soak up every drop of the sauce.
• Pair with a simple green salad for balance.
• Enjoy leftovers spooned over roasted vegetables or tucked into warm flatbread.
• And don’t forget a glass of wine!

More Delicious One Skillet Recipes

Are you looking for more cozy, comforting dishes like this Marry Me Chicken Skillet (that you can make for Valentine’s Day)? Be sure to check more recipes below:

• Pan-fried Butter Sage Gnocchi
• Creamy Chicken with Prunes (One-Skillet Recipe)
• Apricot Pine Nuts Chicken Skillet
• Chicken with White Wine, Figs and Rosemary (30-Minute Recipe)
• Bolognese-Style Veal Ragù Orzo

I’d love for you to try this easy Marry Me Chicken Skillet recipe. If you give it a go, please share your results in the comments, message me on Instagram, or post your photos with the hashtag #havocinthekitchen. I look forward to seeing your creations and hearing your thoughts.

Cheers!

Marry Me Chicken Skillet (Easy One-Pan Recipe)

Recipe by Ben | Havocinthekitchen

Easy Marry Me Chicken Skillet with sliced chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, cream, and Parmesan. One-pan, cozy, and perfect for Valentine’s Day.

Course: Mains and Comfort DishesCuisine: American-ItalianDifficulty: Easy

5.0 from 1 vote

Pin

Print

Servings

3-4

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

• 1 lb (about 450 g) chicken breasts, sliced into thick strips don’t go with too thin to avoid drier chicken

• 1/2 cup (80–90 g) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

• 1/2 cup (120 ml) cream (35% or a mix of 10% and 35%) you may need slightly more

• 1/2 cup (120 ml) low-sodium chicken broth you may need slightly more

• 2 tbsp (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil, divided

• 1 tbsp (15 g) butter

• 1/4 cup (25-30 g) finely grated Parmesan cheese

• 2-3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

• 1/2 to 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1/4 tsp chipotle powder, or to taste

• Pinch of chili flakes, optional

• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves

• Salt, to taste

• Black pepper, to taste

• Fresh parsley or basil, for serving

Directions

• Heat olive oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over low-high heat. Add the sliced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5–6 minutes until no longer pink.
• Add butter, smoked paprika, and chipotle, and cook another 2-3 minutes to deepen colour. Don’t expect a sear here – the sliced chicken cooks in fat and juices and won’t develop a beautiful crust. Remove chicken from the pan.
• Tip: To check doneness, press or cut a chicken strip with a spatula. If it breaks apart easily – even with a blunt edge – and is no longer pink inside, the chicken is fully cooked.
• Lower heat to medium-low and add garlic, thyme, chili flakes, and an extra tablespoon of oil if needed. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, cream, and Parmesan, and simmer for about 2 minutes.
• Return chicken to the skillet, toss to coat, and simmer gently until warmed through and the sauce reaches your desired consistency; the chicken is already cooked so you will need 2-3 minutes to warm it through. You may also need to add more cream or broth. Adjust seasoning and serve warm with basil (ideally) or parsley. Enjoy!