The Marry Me Chicken recipe is a perfect mix of tasty cooking and a sprinkle of love. It’s become very popular very fast. Everyone loves it because of its delicious creamy parmesan sauce with sundried tomatoes. It’s a meal that tastes amazing and still keeps calories in check.
This dish is more than your usual chicken meal. It’s easy and classy, all thanks to its one-pan method. This means cooking is simple and cleaning up is easy. At only 348 calories per serving, it’s ideal for health-conscious food lovers.
By swapping sundried tomatoes for fresh cherry ones, we cut down on oil. This change makes the meal even healthier. The dish shows how food and love can come together. It promises to excite our senses and maybe spark some romance too.
The Origins of Marry Me Chicken
What is Marry Me Chicken: The charming name of the Marry Me Chicken comes from a story. It suggests the dish’s taste might prompt someone to propose. People see it as a perfect dish for popping the question. Though it’s not just about proposals, it symbolizes a blend of strong flavours that embody love and affection.
The idea of the Marry Me Chicken started in the US, crafted by passionate cooks and food bloggers. It follows the footsteps of Engagement Chicken from 1982. In 2016, Lindsay Funston’s version for Delish became a hit, inspiring many and spreading on TikTok and Instagram.
This recipe is both easy and tasty, similar to Italian Tuscan chicken but unique in flavour. You cook chicken with butter, garlic, oregano, and thyme. Then, bake it with broth and finish with a creamy sauce and pasta.
Marry Me Chicken is a quick meal, taking just 30 minutes to make. You can keep it in the fridge for three days or freeze it before adding dairy. It’s perfect for special dinners, capturing the magic of love’s journey.
You can also tweak it to fit your taste, trying different spices or cheeses. The recipe adapts with time, much like the Engagement Chicken story.
Finally, Marry Me Chicken shows how food can be more than a meal. It’s a way to express love, creating memorable moments together.
Essential Ingredients for Marry Me Chicken Recipe
To grasp what Marry Me Chicken really is, let’s start with its key parts. It’s built on tender chicken breasts, seasoned and seared well. This is the foundation for the thick, creamy sauce full of tomato and herbs that makes the dish stand out.
The sauce is like a melody of tastes, mixing heavy cream with Parmesan. The cream makes it smooth, while the cheese adds saltiness and depth. Tomatoes, whether fresh or sun-dried, add a layer of richness. Petite diced tomatoes are best for their texture, blending smoothly into the sauce.
Herbs are vital for adding flavour. A mix of Tuscan or Italian herbs, like basil, oregano, and marjoram, brings freshness. Garlic and a dash of lemon zest add strong and bright notes, balancing the richness.
You could use diced or sun-dried tomatoes for different textures. A bit of thyme and tomato paste can lift the dish even higher. Easy marry me chicken recipe broth boosts the moisture and richness of the sauce.
Delish’s recipe begins with butter for a silky sauce base. These components work together to create a creamy, tangy, and incredibly cheesy taste. It’s easy to make and very satisfying. Here’s the nutritional info to see how it balances flavour and health:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Butter | 2 tablespoons |
| Garlic | 3 cloves |
| Tomato Paste | 1 tablespoon |
| Heavy Cream | 1 cup |
| Chicken Broth | 1 cup |
| Thyme Sprigs | A few |
| Petite Diced Tomatoes | 1 14.5-ounce jar |
| Salt | To taste |
Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Marry Me Chicken
Making marry me chicken is simple and quick. It keeps flavours locked in. Our guide will show you how to make this creamy parmesan chicken dish. It’s great for any night or a special event. Impress your loved ones with our easy recipe.
- Sear the Chicken: First, cover the chicken breasts in flour. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook the chicken until it’s golden. This helps keep the chicken juicy.
- Prepare the Sauce: After removing the chicken, add sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and other ingredients to the skillet. Stir well and let it simmer. The sauce becomes rich and creamy, enhancing the dish.
- Combine and Simmer: Put the chicken back in the skillet and coat it with sauce. Simmer the dish until the sauce thickens. This blends the flavours perfectly.
- Final Touch: Add Parmigiano Reggiano cheese on top of the chicken. Serve it melted. Pair it with pasta, rice, or veggies for a complete meal.
| Nutritional Breakdown Per Serving | Values |
|---|---|
| Energy | 2270kJ/546kcal |
| Fat | 38g (54% RI) |
| Saturates | 18g (90% RI) |
| Sugars | 5g (5% RI) |
| Salt | 1.4g (24% RI) |
| Carbohydrate | 8.3g |
| Protein | 40.9g |
| Fibre | 3.3g |
This chicken recipe is easy and loved by many. You can swap ingredients, like using half-and-half or coconut milk, to fit your diet. According to Tesco Real Food and our testing, it’s guaranteed to win hearts. It’s delicious and has great texture.
Health Benefits of Marry Me Chicken
Chicken is a perfect mix of taste and health. It’s great for those looking for tasty, low-calorie meals. It combines deliciousness with benefits, offering lots of protein. This protein helps build muscles and keeps you feeling full. Choosing chicken breasts adds even more goodness, making it a top meal choice.
Now, let’s look at why Marry Me Chicken is a go-to for a healthy, low-calorie meal:
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 686 |
| Fat | 34g |
| Saturated Fat | 14g |
| Cholesterol | 140mg |
| Carbohydrates | 57g |
| Total Sugars | 5g |
| Protein | 39g |
| Fibre | 8g |
| Sodium | 733mg |
| Potassium | 1,381mg |
Choosing cherry tomatoes instead of sundried cuts down on oil and calories. With 39g of protein per serving, it boosts muscle health and repair. The 8g of fibre per serving helps with digestion and keeps you full. This makes controlling how much you eat much easier.
Adding more veggies or even using vegan chicken alternatives can make Chicken even healthier. It becomes not just tasty but also suits various diets.
Marry Me Chicken perfectly blends great taste with health benefits. It’s a wonderful, nutritious addition to any meal plan.
Variations of the Marry Me Chicken Recipe
Is a versatile favourite, offering many ways to explore different flavours. It allows us to tailor chicken recipes to suit various tastes and needs. For example, using boneless chicken thighs instead of breasts can save money. It also brings a different kind of tenderness and taste to the meal.
Adding new ingredients can make the dish even more delicious. If you like fresh flavours, try adding cherry tomatoes and basil for a lighter sauce. Or, for a touch of luxury, you might add aged cheeses or a bit of truffle oil. This way, the chicken dishes become unique and fit for any fancy kitchen. Changing up the recipe means it stays interesting and caters to everyone’s likes.
Why not try different pasta with the chicken? Penne, fusilli, or whole-grain varieties could make the dish’s creamy sauce even better. You can also add roasted veggies like aubergines or courgettes for extra flavour. These twists on Chicken not only add to its nutritional value but also keep it exciting for those looking to try something new.