Yes, I know a little corny but the dish is kind of dreamy with all these flavorful ingredients using a cream sauce with tomatoes, garlic, and grated cheese, and bone-in chicken thighs.
After browning the chicken on the stovetop we transfer ours to the oven with the sauce to finish baking and sprinkle a little bread crumb on top to thicken the juices up a little, this dish is always a home run for anyone that tries it.
You can substitute any bone-in meats, just be sure to check internal temperature for which types you choose to ensure it's cooked properly inside.
If you love new chicken recipes you may also like to try Pizza Chicken and Potatoes, Copycat Longhorn Chicken Parmesan Crusted Chicken.
Scroll down to the bottom for this yummy printable recipe to make this nut-coated easy chicken recipe.
Cream Sauce
Marry Me Chicken" is said to be a Sicilian-style sauce that if you cook for a significant other, they will want to marry you, so don't make this dish if you're not interested, (only joking).
We just love the creamy coating on the chicken, and although the original recipe calls for sun-dried tomatoes, I always use fresh chopped plum tomatoes since we aren't big fans.
This chicken can stay" right in the same pan and finish cooking in the oven, we always transfer it to a clean baking pan, but always use all the wonderful flavors from the fat left in the skillet.
Seriously though everyone I serve this too loves this baked chicken.
Again if you have fussy eaters with chicken, use another bone-in meat(the meat stays juicier), it's all good and you can choose another meat or other parts of the chicken instead of thighs.
Ingredients You Will Need (scroll down to the bottom for exact measurements)
- bone-in chicken thighs or choose another meat you prefer
- sundried tomatoes or use chopped plum tomatoes
- thyme
- chicken broth
- salt, pepper
- heavy cream
- red pepper flakes
- Italian parsley and basil
- oregano
- optional: sprinkle the chicken on top with breadcrumbs while baking
Tips:
- use bone-in chicken will keep it tender and moist
- use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is at 165 degrees internal temperature
- save some of the fat after browning the chicken for flavor when baking
- this dish can use any bone-in meats
- we substitute chopped plum tomatoes for sun-dried
- half and half can be substituted for heavy cream
- low sodium chicken broth can be substituted for regular
- for air frying drizzle with olive oil place on oil sprayed foil for 12 minutes at 400 degrees
- instant pot can be used on the pressure cooker mode for 25 minutes
- for baking, place chicken in an oiled sprayed baking dish or on a parchment-lined casserole dish for easier cleanup
- using breadcrumbs on top before baking will thicken the sauce
- add more chicken broth for a thinner sauce if you like or you can thicken it with cornstarch if not using breadcrumb topping
Other Side Dish Suggestions
- mushrooms sliced, carrots, peas
- corn on the cob
- any kind of potatoes
- roasted vegetables
- pasta with butter
- rice white or brown
- Caprese salad
- baked artichoke hearts
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Easy Chicken Substitutions
This recipe for chicken is super easy and so flavorful.
Easy to prepare and you certainly can use any meats your family prefers or you have on hand.
I prefer to use all fresh herbs when possible, and if you aren't a fan of tomatoes at all try mushrooms, peas, or leave the vegetables out.
This sauce for this chicken dish is a big hit no matter how you adapt it!
Marry Me Chicken
Yield: 4
Marry Me Chicken" is said to be a Sicilian-style sauce that if you cook for a significant other. A creamy sauce with tomato and bursting with flavor!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)
- Note: you can also use pork chops, venison steaks, lamb chops, or chicken breasts cooking times will vary depending on thickness refer to notes under tips below
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tablespoons flat-leaf Italian fresh parsley chopped
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or use to taste
- 3/4 cup of chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup. chopped plum tomatoes (or sun-dried tomatoes)
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano
- garnish with fresh basil
- Optional Topping: 1/2 cup of Italian flavored breadcrumbs mixed with 3 tablespoons grated Pecorino Romano cheese 3 tablespoons of olive oil to moisten for topping each piece of chicken before baking
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- In an oil sprayed large cast-iron skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Place the chicken in the skillet and season with salt and pepper searing on both sides until nice and golden brown on both sides and skin is crispy.
- Pour some of the fat in the baking pan (around 2 tablespoons) and place the chicken skin side down then set aside and make the sauce.
- In the cast-iron skillet with some fat left, add the garlic, thyme, parsley, red pepper flakes and cook for around 1 minute.
- Stir in the broth and heavy cream, with the tomatoes, cheese, and if more seasoning is needed.
- Pour sauce over chicken in the oil sprayed baking dish and sprinkle each piece with breadcrumbs if using
- Note: This can be baked right in the cast iron skillet. I prefer a clean dish.
- Bake the chicken in the oven for 35 minutes or until the juices run clear in the chicken, and the internal temperature should read 165 degrees for cooking completion.
- Note: If the sauce gets too thick add more broth, if it's too watery you can thicken it with a little cornstarch. If using the breadcrumb topping, this should thicken the sauce perfectly.
- Garnish with fresh basil.
Notes:
Tips:
- use bone-in chicken will keep it tender and moist
- use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is at 165 degrees internal temperature and for other meats used follow the guidelines
- save some of the fat after browning the chicken for flavor when baking
- this dish can use any bone-in meats
- we substitute chopped plum tomatoes for sun-dried
- half and half can be substituted for heavy cream
- low sodium chicken broth can be substituted for regular
- for air frying drizzle with olive oil place on oil sprayed foil for 12 minutes at 400 degrees
- instant pot can be used on the pressure cooker mode for 25 minutes
- for baking, place chicken in an oiled sprayed baking dish or on a parchment-lined casserole dish for easier cleanup
- using breadcrumbs on top before baking will thicken the sauce
- add more chicken broth for a thinner sauce if you like or you can thicken it with cornstarch if not using breadcrumb topping
Nutrition Facts
Calories
697.59Fat (grams)
44.24Sat. Fat (grams)
16.05Carbs (grams)
23.56Fiber (grams)
1.99Net carbs
21.57Sugar (grams)
3.44Protein (grams)
50.71Sodium (milligrams)
787.95Cholesterol (grams)
194.04
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Other Recipes To Try
Chicken Francese
Baked Taste Like Fried Lemon Chicken Cutlets
Bundt Pan Roasted Chicken