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I am beyond excited to share this one-skillet lightened-up Marry Me Chicken recipe with you! I’ve been working on perfecting it, and I can finally say it’s 100% AMAZING. Creamy, packed with flavor, and just as irresistible as the original, only lightened up to perfection.
This chicken recipe is fancy enough to impress family and friends, but easy enough for a cozy weeknight dinner. If you haven’t tried the viral Marry Me Chicken, this is the one to make, hands down! Every bite is pure comfort and so good, you’ll be sneaking seconds when no one’s looking.
And don’t miss our other incredible Marry Me Chicken recipes, like Crockpot Marry Me Chicken, Marry Me Chicken Pasta, and Marry Me Chicken Meatballs. They’re all delicious, easy, and perfect for any occasion!
Table of Contents
Why You Will Love This Marry Me Chicken Recipe
- High-Protein: This recipe is the ultimate protein-packed meal.
- Lightened Up: This lightened-up Marry Me Chicken is just as delicious and creamy while being a lighter option. This recipe is made without heavy cream or butter.
- Easy: This dish is super easy to make! It all comes together in one pan and is ready in under 30 minutes!
Ingredients Needed
- Chicken: Cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts in half lengthwise.
- Olive Oil: Half for cooking the chicken and half for sautéing the shallot and garlic.
- Shallot: Sautéed until soft for depth of flavor.
- Garlic: Sautéed garlic adds incredible flavor to the dish.
- Milk: Forms the base of the lighter sauce.
- Cream Cheese: Adds creaminess without heavy cream.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: The special ingredient! They add a rich, tangy depth of flavor that takes the sauce to the next level.
- Parmesan: Grated parmesan cheese for the ultimate cheesy flavor in the sauce.
- Tomato Paste: Adds a rich, concentrated tomato flavor.
- Seasoning: Season with oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Cornstarch: Make a cornstarch slurry with cornstarch and cold water to thicken the sauce.
Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Oregano Swap: You can substitute the oregano with ½ teaspoon of Italian herbs.
- Cream Cheese to Use: Use regular, light, or reduced-fat cream cheese.
- Milk Options: We like to use fat-free, 1%, or 2% milk to keep this recipe lighter. For a creamier sauce, you can use whole milk.
- Chicken to Use: We used boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but you can easily swap in boneless, skinless chicken thighs. For a cheesy twist, try our Parmesan air fryer boneless skinless chicken thighs next!
How To Make Marry Me Chicken
Step 1: Place the sun-dried tomatoes in a heat-safe bowl and pour hot water over them. Let them soak for about 10 minutes, then drain the water and chop them into small pieces.
Step 2: Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise. Then, season both sides with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Heat half of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken cutlets and cook for 4-6 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
Step 4: Add the remaining olive oil to the skillet. Sauté the finely chopped shallot and garlic.
Step 5: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the milk, cream cheese, tomato paste, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, oregano, and optional red pepper flakes. Mix until the cream cheese has fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
Step 6: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 teaspoons of cornstarch and 2 teaspoons of cold water. Pour the slurry into the skillet, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
Step 7: Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Let it simmer for a few minutes until heated through and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Step 8: Finish with fresh chopped basil, serve warm, and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
This Marry Me Chicken recipe is delicious on its own or served over cauliflower mashed potatoes, cottage cheese mashed potatoes, cauliflower rice, pasta, or orzo to soak up the delicious sauce! For another option, serve it with crusty bread for dipping, or with a side of veggies like our air fryer frozen broccoli, air fryer cauliflower, or air fryer green beans.
Shawna’s Tips For The Best Marry Me Chicken
- Freshly Grated Parmesan: If possible, freshly grate the Parmesan cheese for the best texture.
- Slice the Chicken: Don’t forget to slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise. This creates cutlets for quicker and more even cooking.
- Incorporate the Cream Cheese: Make sure the cream cheese is fully melted in the sauce before adding the cornstarch slurry.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover Marry Me Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat it in the oven or microwave until warmed through. We don’t recommend freezing leftovers, as it can alter the texture of the sauce.
More Chicken Recipes to Try!
- Healthy Baked Chicken Parmesan
- Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
- French Onion Chicken Skillet
- Cream of Mushroom Chicken Skillet
- Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken
- Baked Brined Chicken Breast
If you try this recipe, please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating, ★★★★★, letting us know how it turns out for you.
LIGHTENED UP MARRY ME CHICKEN (ONE SKILLET RECIPE)
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons of olive oil, divided
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped shallot, about 1 large shallot
- 2-3 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 3 tablespoons light cream cheese
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, not in oil
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes, optional
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves, optional
Instructions
- Soften the Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Place the sun-dried tomatoes in a heat-safe bowl and pour hot water over them. Let them soak for about 10 minutes, then drain the water and chop them into small pieces.
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create cutlets. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat half of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken cutlets and cook for 4-6 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Add the remaining olive oil to the skillet. Sauté the finely chopped shallot and garlic until softened and fragrant.
- Make the Sauce: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the milk, cream cheese, tomato paste, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, oregano, and optional red pepper flakes. Mix until the cream cheese has fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 teaspoons of cornstarch and 2 teaspoons of cold water. Pour the slurry into the skillet, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Let it simmer for a few minutes until heated through and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Serve and Garnish: Finish with fresh chopped basil, serve warm, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Oregano Swap: You can substitute the oregano with ½ teaspoon of Italian herbs.
- Cream Cheese: Use regular, light, or reduced-fat cream cheese.
- Milk Options: We like to use fat-free, 1%, or 2% milk to keep this recipe lighter. For a creamier sauce, you can use whole milk.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This lightened up marry me chicken is one of our absolute favorite recipes. It’s packed with so much flavor and made in one skillet! We hope you love it as much as we do!