"Marry Me" Chicken Sounds Old School, but There's a Reason TikTok Is Obsessed

tmp_k88Hz7_ea4f89acbd04286b_marry-me-chicken-recipe.jpg

The idea that chicken can be so delicious it'll make your partner want to marry you isn't a new one. Celebrity chefs like Martha Stewart, Rachael Ray, and Ina Garten have famously shared their own recipes for "Engagement Chicken," and both Meghan Markle and Emily Blunt have attested to the effectiveness of it, reportedly getting engaged after making Garten's version.

Judging by the name, "Marry Me Chicken," a recipe from the '80s that has recently resurfaced on TikTok, is also tasty enough to expedite a marriage proposal. However, there's another theory that it's called Marry Me Chicken because "marry" actually refers to how well the flavors marry together, much like Italian wedding soup.

What makes the TikTok-trending recipe different from the similarly named Engagement Chicken is the cooking method and combination of ingredients. Stewart, Ray, and Garten's Engagement Chicken recipes all involve roasting a whole chicken in the oven, whereas Marry Me Chicken uses boneless chicken breast that's pan-fried on the stove. And rather than lemon being the predominant flavor, Marry Me Chicken instead calls for sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and basil. The resulting dish is pretty saucy thanks to the addition of heavy cream and chicken broth, so most TikTokers serve it on a bed of mashed potatoes or over pasta.

Marry Me Chicken isn't the most complicated recipe, though you probably wouldn't suspect it based on how it tastes. Everything from the chicken to the sauce is cooked in the same pan, so it quickly builds flavor as it comes together. And since spending all day in the kitchen cooking for your spouse is a pretty outdated concept anyway, this chicken recipe is the perfect thing to make whether you actually want to get married, don't want to wash more than one pan, or just want to fall in love with your dinner tonight.

Here's how to make TikTok's Marry Me chicken recipe step by step.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds chicken breast
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup flour
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup minced onions
3-4 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Basil, for garnishing

Directions

Season whole chicken breast with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour. Cook the chicken in an oiled pan over medium heat until fully cooked and crispy on the outside. Remove chicken from pan and add butter, onion, and garlic. Once browned, add heavy cream, chicken broth, and sun-dried tomatoes. Stir in parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Let simmer until thickened. Return the chicken to the pan, spooning sauce over the chicken. Add basil and cook two to three minutes, until chicken is warmed. Serve over pasta or mashed potatoes, and enjoy!