Salt: seasons all the ingredients evenly Flake salt is easiest to control
Pepper: grounds everything with a hint of spice
Extra Italian herbs for finishing: bring even more aroma
Instructions
Prepare and Season the Chicken:
Lay the chicken thighs out and pat dry so you get a good sear Generously sprinkle both sides with onion powder garlic powder Cajun seasoning pepper paprika and Italian herbs Press them in and drizzle with olive oil so the seasonings stick
Sear the Chicken:
Heat a big skillet over medium high and add olive oil Place the thighs in and brown both sides until golden and crusty about six minutes per side This step locks in juices and adds tons of flavor Remove the chicken and set aside in a separate pan
Make the Base of the Sauce:
Lower the heat to medium and add butter to the skillet Stir in the fresh minced garlic Cook for three minutes until fragrant and softened scraping up any browned bits from the bottom If garlic starts to brown lower the heat
Build the Cream Sauce:
Pour in the chicken broth and stir to release the flavor Then add sun dried tomatoes and heavy cream Stir well and cook for about three minutes so everything is warmed through Sprinkle with salt and pepper and a big pinch of Italian herbs Simmer for another minute
Finish the Sauce with Cheese and Wine:
Slowly add the shredded parmesan or Italian cheese while stirring non stop The cheese needs to melt smoothly with no lumps Add the white wine and let the sauce bubble for a minute so the alcohol cooks off and flavors meld
Bake the Chicken:
Pour the sauce evenly over the chicken in the pan Make sure the thighs are surrounded by sauce not just sitting on top Transfer the pan to a 400 degree oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until chicken is tender and the sauce is thick and bubbly
Serve:
Let the chicken rest for five minutes then spoon extra sauce from the pan over each serving Serve over hot mashed potatoes egg noodles or rice for best results
A plate of chicken with red peppers and herbs, served with a side of mashed potatoes.
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A plate of chicken with red peppers and herbs, served with a side of mashed potatoes. | myhomemaderecipe.com
You Must Know
Chicken thighs stay juicy and flavorful even after baking
Creamy parmesan sauce thickens when cooled
Works great for meal prep and leftovers
My favorite part is always the sun dried tomatoes which add a sweet tang that balances all the richness Once when I had very little time I brought this bubbling hot to a family potluck and every generation from kids to grandparents came back for seconds and thirds
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days The sauce thickens overnight so warm it gently on the stove or with a splash of chicken broth You can also freeze portions for a make ahead dinner just avoid reheating at too high a heat to prevent the sauce from separating
Ingredient Substitutions
If you do not have chicken thighs boneless skinless breasts work too but watch closely so they do not dry out For a lighter version swap half and half for the cream but the sauce will be less rich Swap sun dried tomatoes for roasted red peppers in a pinch Shredded mozzarella can replace some parmesan but it will be a bit stretchier and milder
Serving Suggestions
Marry Me Chicken shines with mashed potatoes to catch the sauce but is also great over buttered pasta rice or warm crusty bread For a fresh side pair with garlicky green beans steamed asparagus or a crisp salad with lemony dressing
Cultural and Historical Context
This recipe gets its fun name because home cooks swear it is so good it could prompt a marriage proposal But in truth it is a variation of creamy Tuscan chicken found in Italian American kitchens for decades With its blend of pantry seasonings and legendary sauce it is truly a dish meant to bring people together
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