Marry Me Chicken Recipe

Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless, these are the main protein of the dish.

Olive oil: Used for searing the chicken to a golden brown.

Heavy cream: Adds richness and creaminess to the sauce.

Chicken broth: Provides a savory base for the sauce.

Parmesan cheese: Grated to add a nutty, salty flavor to the sauce.

Garlic powder: Adds a subtle garlic flavor without the need for fresh garlic.

Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

Crushed red pepper flakes: Adds a touch of heat to balance the creaminess.

Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning the chicken and the sauce.

Fresh basil: Used as a garnish to add a fresh, aromatic touch to the finished dish.

When searing the chicken breasts, make sure the skillet is hot enough before adding the olive oil. This ensures a nice golden-brown crust forms on the chicken, which not only adds flavor but also helps to lock in the juices. Additionally, when making the sauce, whisk the heavy cream and parmesan cheese thoroughly to avoid any lumps and achieve a smooth consistency.

• boneless, skinless chicken breasts - Substitute with boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Chicken thighs are juicier and more flavorful, making them a great alternative.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a suitable replacement.

• heavy cream - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream provides a rich, creamy texture and is a good dairy-free option.

• chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can be used for a lighter flavor and to make the dish vegetarian-friendly.

• grated parmesan cheese - Substitute with grated pecorino romano: Pecorino Romano has a similar texture and a slightly sharper flavor.

• garlic powder - Substitute with minced fresh garlic: Fresh garlic offers a more intense and aromatic flavor.

• italian seasoning - Substitute with herbes de provence: Herbes de Provence provides a similar blend of herbs with a slightly different flavor profile.

• crushed red pepper flakes - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a similar level of heat and spice.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used for a more natural and less processed option.

• pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat with a slightly different flavor.

• fresh basil - Substitute with fresh parsley: Fresh parsley adds a bright, fresh flavor and a similar visual appeal.

• Allow the chicken breasts to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to sogginess.

• Transfer the chicken and sauce into an airtight container. Make sure the container is large enough to hold the chicken without squishing it, but not so large that there’s too much air inside.

• For short-term storage, place the container in the refrigerator. The Marry Me Chicken will keep well for up to 3-4 days.

• For longer storage, consider freezing. Wrap each chicken breast individually in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Don’t forget to label the container with the date.

• When ready to reheat, thaw the chicken in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. This ensures even reheating and maintains the texture of the chicken.

• To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken and sauce in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil to retain moisture, and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until heated through.

• Alternatively, you can reheat in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or heavy cream to the skillet to help reconstitute the sauce and keep the chicken moist.

• Garnish with fresh basil before serving to revive the dish’s vibrant flavors and presentation.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover chicken breasts in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Add a splash of chicken broth or heavy cream to keep the chicken moist.
  4. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
  5. Heat for about 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is warmed through.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the pan.
  3. Place the leftover chicken breasts in the skillet.
  4. Add a few tablespoons of chicken broth or heavy cream to the pan.
  5. Cover and heat for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is thoroughly warmed.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the leftover chicken breasts on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Add a splash of chicken broth or heavy cream to keep the chicken moist.
  3. Cover the plate with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to trap steam.
  4. Microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking and stirring halfway through.
  5. Continue microwaving in 1-minute intervals until the chicken is heated through.

• Sous Vide Method:

  1. Preheat your sous vide machine to 140°F (60°C).
  2. Place the leftover chicken breasts in a vacuum-sealed bag or a resealable plastic bag using the water displacement method.
  3. Submerge the bag in the water bath and heat for about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  4. Remove from the bag and serve immediately.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover chicken breasts in the air fryer basket.
  3. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is warmed through.

• Oven: Used to bake the chicken to ensure it is cooked through.

• Large oven-safe skillet: Essential for searing the chicken and then transferring it to the oven.

• Tongs: Handy for flipping the chicken breasts while searing them.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure out the olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes.

• Measuring cups: Necessary for measuring the heavy cream, chicken broth, and grated parmesan cheese.

• Wooden spoon: Useful for stirring the sauce ingredients together in the skillet.

• Cutting board: Provides a surface to season the chicken breasts.

• Chef's knife: Used to chop the fresh basil for garnish.

• Meat thermometer: Helps ensure the chicken is cooked to the proper internal temperature.

• Serving platter: For presenting the finished dish.

Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out heavy cream, chicken broth, and parmesan cheese before starting to save time during cooking.

Use pre-minced garlic: Substitute garlic powder with pre-minced garlic to save time on preparation.

One-pan method: Cook the chicken breasts and sauce in the same skillet to reduce cleanup time.

Preheat oven early: Start preheating the oven before you begin searing the chicken to ensure it's ready when you need it.

Batch sear chicken: If your skillet is small, sear the chicken breasts in batches to ensure even cooking.