When you’re looking for a dinner that feels special but doesn’t demand hours in the kitchen, this Baked Marry Me Chicken recipe is your new best friend.
It’s a dish that lives up to its name, inspiring rave reviews with its incredibly rich, creamy sauce and perfectly tender chicken. Imagine succulent chicken thighs bathed in a luscious, savory sauce – it’s pure comfort food that’s surprisingly simple to prepare.
This recipe is designed for those busy weeknights when you want something delicious and satisfying without a lot of fuss. It’s an easy dinner with chicken that comes together quickly, making it a fantastic option for families, couples, or anyone who appreciates a hearty meal that tastes like it took all day to make. Get ready to add a new favorite to your rotation!
Baked Marry Me Chicken
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Baked Marry Me Chicken recipe features succulent chicken thighs bathed in a luscious, savory, and incredibly rich creamy sauce. It’s a comforting and satisfying meal that’s surprisingly simple to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to impress guests without stress. The dish comes together quickly with minimal effort, delivering restaurant-quality flavor with tender chicken and a perfectly thickened sauce.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. 1. Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Chicken: Start by preheating your oven to 400 F (200 C). Pat the boneless, skinless chicken thighs dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken thighs with olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until they are evenly coated.
2. 2. Sear the Chicken (Optional but Recommended): Heat a large oven-safe skillet (like a cast iron pan) over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken thighs and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can sear in a regular pan and then transfer the chicken to a baking dish.
3. 3. Prepare the Creamy Sauce: While the chicken is searing or after it’s transferred, in a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, chicken broth, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, minced garlic, dried basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
4. 4. Combine Chicken and Sauce in Baking Dish: If you seared the chicken in an oven-safe skillet, simply pour the creamy sauce directly over the seared chicken in the same pan. If you used a separate pan for searing, arrange the seared chicken thighs in a 9×13 inch baking dish and then pour the sauce evenly over the chicken. Make sure the chicken is mostly submerged in the sauce.
5. 5. Bake Until Cooked Through: Transfer the skillet or baking dish to the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165 F (74 C) when measured with a meat thermometer at the thickest part. The sauce should also be bubbly and slightly thickened.
6. 6. Rest and Garnish: Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired, before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: baked
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
Keywords: chicken, creamy, marry me chicken, baked chicken, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food, chicken thighs, italian seasoning, sun-dried tomatoes
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This Baked Marry Me Chicken recipe is a true winner for several reasons. First, it’s incredibly flavorful, delivering a restaurant-quality taste right in your own home. The combination of tender chicken and a rich, creamy sauce makes it feel like a luxurious meal, even though the ingredients are simple and accessible. It’s perfect for anyone who loves chicken and sauce together, as the sauce truly elevates the dish. Second, it’s remarkably easy to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights when time is short but you still crave a homemade meal. You won’t need any fancy techniques or specialized equipment; just a baking dish and a few basic kitchen tools. This recipe is perfect for home cooks of all skill levels, from beginners to more experienced chefs looking for a reliable, crowd-pleasing option. Serve it when you want to impress guests without stress, or simply when your family needs a comforting, hearty meal after a long day. It’s also a fantastic option for meal prepping, as it reheats beautifully.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients for this Baked Marry Me Chicken is straightforward, using items you likely already have or can easily find at any grocery store. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and the way a few key ingredients come together to create something truly magical.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained and chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
For the chicken thighs, boneless and skinless is recommended for quick cooking and easy eating, but bone-in, skin-on thighs can also be used if you prefer, though they will require a slightly longer baking time. When selecting sun-dried tomatoes, look for those packed in oil as they tend to be more pliable and flavorful. If you only have dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes, you can rehydrate them in warm water for about 15-20 minutes before chopping. For the Parmesan cheese, freshly grated will always offer the best flavor and texture, melting more smoothly into the sauce. However, pre-grated Parmesan will work in a pinch. Feel free to adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to suit your spice preference; a little goes a long way to add a subtle kick without overpowering the creamy sauce.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for efficiency, delivering maximum flavor with minimal effort and time commitment. You’ll be surprised how quickly this delicious meal comes together.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
The prep time involves seasoning the chicken, chopping the sun-dried tomatoes and garlic, and mixing the sauce ingredients. The cook time is primarily hands-off, allowing the oven to do most of the work, resulting in tender chicken and a perfectly thickened sauce. This makes it an ideal choice for quick chicken meals on busy evenings.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this delicious Baked Marry Me Chicken is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for a perfectly cooked, flavorful meal every time.
- Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Chicken: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the boneless, skinless chicken thighs dry with paper towels. This step is important for achieving a nice sear and preventing the chicken from steaming. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken thighs with olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until they are evenly coated.
- Sear the Chicken (Optional but Recommended): Heat a large oven-safe skillet (like a cast iron pan) over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken thighs and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. This step adds a depth of flavor and helps create a more appealing texture. If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can sear in a regular pan and then transfer the chicken to a baking dish.
- Prepare the Creamy Sauce: While the chicken is searing or after it’s transferred, in a separate bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, chicken broth, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, minced garlic, dried basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce in Baking Dish: If you seared the chicken in an oven-safe skillet, simply pour the creamy sauce directly over the seared chicken in the same pan. If you used a separate pan for searing, arrange the seared chicken thighs in a 9×13 inch baking dish and then pour the sauce evenly over the chicken. Make sure the chicken is mostly submerged in the sauce.
- Bake Until Cooked Through: Transfer the skillet or baking dish to the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) when measured with a meat thermometer at the thickest part. The sauce should also be bubbly and slightly thickened.
- Rest and Garnish: Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This allows the juices in the chicken to redistribute, ensuring it stays tender and moist. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired, before serving. The vibrant green parsley adds a lovely fresh contrast to the rich sauce.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This Baked Marry Me Chicken is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can reduce or omit the red pepper flakes and perhaps add a handful of frozen peas or corn to the sauce during the last 10 minutes of baking for some added veggies. If you’re looking to swap out ingredients, chicken breasts can be used instead of thighs, but be mindful that they may cook faster and can dry out more easily; adjust baking time accordingly. For a slightly different flavor profile, consider adding a handful of fresh spinach to the sauce during the last 5 minutes of baking, allowing it to wilt into the creamy goodness.
When it comes to serving, this dish is fantastic with a variety of sides. It pairs beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes, which soak up the rich sauce wonderfully. Fluffy white rice or a hearty quinoa are also excellent choices. For a lighter option, serve it alongside steamed green beans, roasted asparagus, or a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette. If you’re serving this for a party or buffet, consider cutting the cooked chicken into smaller pieces and serving it over pasta, turning it into a delicious Marry Me Chicken pasta dish. Don’t forget some crusty bread to sop up every last drop of that incredible sauce!
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have their pitfalls. Being aware of these common mistakes will help you achieve perfect Baked Marry Me Chicken every time.
- Overcooking the Chicken: This is perhaps the most common mistake. Overcooked chicken thighs can become dry and tough. To avoid this, always use a meat thermometer. Chicken thighs are fully cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Start checking around the 20-minute mark and remove them from the oven as soon as they hit the target temperature.
- Not Patting the Chicken Dry: If your chicken thighs are wet before seasoning and searing, they won’t brown properly. Patting them thoroughly dry with paper towels helps create a nice crust and prevents them from steaming in the pan.
- Skipping the Searing Step: While optional, searing the chicken before baking adds a crucial layer of flavor and a beautiful golden-brown color. It seals in juices and creates a more complex taste profile. Don’t skip it if you have the time!
- Using Low-Fat Dairy: The richness of this dish comes from heavy cream. Using milk or half-and-half instead will result in a much thinner, less luxurious sauce that may curdle under high heat. Stick to heavy cream for the
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
