I’m sharing my version of Marry Me Chicken and I can confirm it’s one of the best dinners I’ve ever made. It’s so good and so flavorful, it’ll have everyone asking you to marry them once they’ve tried it.
If I’m being honest though, it took me way too long to jump on this train. But good things take time, right? Well, no matter what, it was definitely worth the wait because I am so happy with how it came out.
Why Is It Called Marry Me Chicken?
The name Marry Me Chicken comes from the idea that this creamy, flavorful chicken dish is so good, it could inspire a marriage proposal. It went viral for its rich, savory sauce, tender chicken, and easy one-pan prep—making it a go-to for both date nights and weeknight dinners.
There are lots of variations out there, but this version includes my own healthy twist. After making it once, I totally got the hype—and loved it so much, I created this slow cooker version (made in the Crockpot!) to make dinner easier and less stressful for us all.
Both methods are equally delicious and simple to make. This is a must-try recipe that shows exactly why Marry Me Chicken has become a crowd-favorite dinner staple.
Health Benefits of This Marry Me Chicken Recipe
There’s nothing better than a healthy, easy, and seriously delicious dish—and this one checks every box.
I love using bone broth in the sauce because it’s nutrient-dense and loaded with protein, collagen, and essential minerals. Instead of dairy, I used coconut cream, which adds creaminess, a subtle sweetness, and a boost of potassium—perfect if you’re lactose intolerant like me.
Sun-dried tomatoes add tangy-sweet flavor and are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. Mushrooms bring that satisfying umami flavor and are a great source of selenium, which supports antioxidant function.
Add in some anti-inflammatory garlic, flavorful spices, and a sprinkle of grated parmesan (or nutritional yeast to keep it dairy-free), and you’ve got a total winner.
A High-Protein, One-Pan Dinner You’ll Make on Repeat
Now I might’ve joined this trend a little late, but I can confirm—this Marry Me Chicken recipe is now a weekly staple in our home.
If you’re looking for a high-protein, one-pan chicken dinner that’s anything but boring—light yet rich, comforting yet healthy—this is it.
I paired mine with crispy broccolini and Arborio rice, but it goes great with any of your favorite sides like mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or a fresh salad. And depending on who you’re cooking for, maybe get a manicure beforehand—just in case (lol).
Let me know in the comment section below what you think and how you served it. Hope you love it as much as we do!
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:
- Avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil
- Organic chicken breasts
- Minced garlic (or garlic cloves)
- Mushrooms (completely optional)
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Sea salt
- Ground pepper
- Red chili flakes
- Chicken bone broth
- Canned coconut cream, unsweetened
- Sundried tomatoes
- Water
- Arrowroot starch
- Finely grated Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast to keep 100% dairy free)
- Fresh basil
HOW TO MAKE MY MARRY ME CHICKEN
For the Skillet Variation:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Heat oil in large oven-safe skillet on medium to high heat. Once you’ve tenderized chicken breasts, season with salt and pepper. Add seasoned + tenderized chicken breasts to the skillet once it’s hot and let sear, about 5 minutes each side. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Turn heat to low, add garlic to cook for 1 minute. Add sliced mushrooms and stir for 3-4 minutes. Add your seasonings, then the broth and coconut cream (use the thick, creamy part, not the liquid). Stir.
In a small bowl, stir arrowroot starch and water until dissolved. Pour in the skillet and turn to medium heat. Add sundried tomato, followed by Parmesan, stir, then add back in your chicken. Flip each breast a few times to cover in the sauce.
Place the skillet in the oven to bake for 20 minutes.
Make your sides: I love broccolini cooked in ghee with pink salt, and Arborio rice for this dish. Mashed potatoes and cauliflower rice work well too! Anything to soak up that saucy goodness.
Remove chicken from the oven once done, spoon the sauce over the top of each breast, and top with fresh basil. Serve with your favorite, cooked sides. Enjoy!
For the Slow Cooker Version:
Drizzle 1 tablespoon oil in the base of your slow cooker.
Season chicken with salt and pepper, then sear in a separate hot skillet with the other 1 tablespoon oil, 2–3 minutes per side until golden (optional but adds tons of flavor).
Transfer chicken to the slow cooker. Add garlic, mushrooms, thyme, oregano, salt, pepper, and chili flakes. Scatter in sun-dried tomatoes.
In a medium bowl, whisk together bone broth and coconut milk until smooth. Pour over chicken.
Cover and cook on Low for 4–5 hours, or High for 2–3 hours, until chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
Whisk ½ tablespoon arrowroot with 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl until smooth, to make a slurry.
About 20 minutes before serving, stir the slurry + Parmesan (or 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast for dairy-free) into the slow cooker.
Turn to High, keep the lid slightly ajar, and cook another 15–20 minutes until thickened and creamy. Stir once or twice.
Once done, top with fresh basil and serve with your favorite sides – like the broccolini, rice, and/or mashed potatoes I mentioned in the skillet variation.
RECIPE SUBSTITUTIONS & QUESTIONS
Feel free to customize this Marry Me Chicken recipe based on your dietary needs, ingredient availability, or preferences:
- Chicken Thighs Instead of Breasts
Swap in boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier option—just adjust the cook time slightly as they may take longer to cook through. - Dairy-Based Cream Instead of Coconut Cream
If you’re not avoiding dairy, feel free to use heavy cream or half-and-half in place of the coconut cream. (Note: I haven’t tested this version with coconut milk, but it could work in a pinch.) - Any Broth or Bone Broth
I used chicken bone broth (Kettle & Fire is a fave), but any high-quality broth or stock—vegetable, chicken, or regular bone broth—will work just fine. - Arrowroot Substitutions
Cornstarch or tapioca flour can replace arrowroot powder as a thickening agent. You can also skip the thickener entirely, though the sauce will be thinner. - Optional Mushrooms or Veggie Swap
Mushrooms are totally optional! You can omit them or swap in another veggie like spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers. - Sun-Dried Tomatoes Alternatives
I love the flavor from sun-dried tomatoes here, but you could try roasted red peppers for a different spin. - Pan Options
I used a large cast-iron skillet, but a smaller skillet or sauté pan will also work—especially if you’re making a smaller batch.
SHOP THIS RECIPE:
What to serve with Marry Me Chicken?
Marry Me Chicken pairs perfectly with simple, flavorful sides like crispy broccolini, creamy Arborio rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad. For a heartier meal, try garlic mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up the rich sauce.
Feel free to get creative and serve it with your favorite sides to make it your own!
What is the difference between broth, bone broth, and stock?
The main difference is in how they’re made and their nutrient content. Bone broth is simmered longer with marrow-rich bones, making it the most nutrient-dense and flavorful. Stock and broth (like chicken or veggie) are cooked for a shorter time and contain fewer nutrients.
Want a deeper breakdown? I cover it in THIS blog post on broth vs. bone broth vs. stock.
Easy & Healthy Recipes to Serve Next:
Here are the reels I made for this recipe:
Skillet Variation (click here!) and Slow Cooker Variation (click here!)
Marry Me Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil
- 4 organic chicken breasts, trimmed and tenderized to 3/4-inch thick
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic, or 3-4 cloves garlic, diced
- 1.5 cups sliced mushrooms, completely optional
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 3/4 cup chicken bone broth
- 3/4 cup canned coconut cream, unsweetened (use the thick creamy part, not the liquid)
- 1/2 cup packed sundried tomato, chopped
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/2 tablespoon arrowroot starch
- 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, or sub 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast to keep 100% dairy free
- 1/3 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
Instructions
For the Skillet Variation:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat oil in large oven-safe skillet on medium to high heat. Once you’ve tenderized chicken breasts, season with salt and pepper. Add seasoned + tenderized chicken breasts to the skillet once it’s hot and let sear, about 5 minutes each side. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Turn heat to low, add garlic to cook for 1 minute. Add sliced mushrooms and stir for 3-4 minutes. Add your seasonings, then the broth and coconut cream (use the thick, creamy part, not the liquid). Stir.
- In a small bowl, stir arrowroot starch and water until dissolved. Pour in the skillet and turn to medium heat. Add sundried tomato, followed by Parmesan, stir, then add back in your chicken. Flip each breast a few times to cover in the sauce.
- Place the skillet in the oven to bake for 20 minutes.
- Make your sides: I love broccolini cooked cooked in ghee with pink salt, and Arborio rice for this dish. Mashed potatoes and cauliflower rice work well too! Anything to soak up that saucy goodness.
- Remove chicken from the oven once done, spoon the sauce over the top of each breast, and top with fresh basil. Serve with your favorite, cooked sides. Enjoy!
For the Slow Cooker Variation:
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon oil in the base of your slow cooker.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper, then sear in a separate hot skillet with the other 1 tablespoon oil, 2–3 minutes per side until golden (optional but adds tons of flavor).
- Transfer chicken to the slow cooker. Add garlic, mushrooms, thyme, oregano, salt, pepper, and chili flakes. Scatter in sun-dried tomatoes.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together bone broth and coconut milk until smooth. Pour over chicken.
- Cover and cook on Low for 4–5 hours, or High for 2–3 hours, until chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
- Whisk ½ tablespoon arrowroot with 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl until smooth, to make a slurry.
- About 20 minutes before serving, stir the slurry + Parmesan (or 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast for dairy-free) into the slow cooker.
- Turn to High, keep the lid slightly ajar, and cook another 15–20 minutes until thickened and creamy. Stir once or twice.
- Once done, top with fresh basil and serve with your favorite sides – like the broccolini, rice, and/or mashed potatoes I mentioned in the skillet variation.
Notes
- Chicken Thighs Instead of Breasts
Swap in boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier option—just adjust the cook time slightly as they may take longer to cook through. - Dairy-Based Cream Instead of Coconut Cream
If you’re not avoiding dairy, feel free to use heavy cream or half-and-half in place of the coconut cream. (Note: I haven’t tested this version with coconut milk, but it could work in a pinch.) - Any Broth or Bone Broth
I used chicken bone broth (Kettle & Fire is a fave), but any high-quality broth or stock—vegetable, chicken, or regular bone broth—will work just fine. - Arrowroot Substitutions
Cornstarch or tapioca flour can replace arrowroot powder as a thickening agent. You can also skip the thickener entirely, though the sauce will be thinner. - Optional Mushrooms or Veggie Swap
Mushrooms are totally optional! You can omit them or swap in another veggie like spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers. - Sun-Dried Tomatoes Alternatives
I love the flavor from sun-dried tomatoes here, but you could try roasted red peppers for a different spin. - Pan Options
I used a large cast-iron skillet, but a smaller skillet or sauté pan will also work—especially if you’re making a smaller batch.
me again! I’m assuming on the coconut cream measurement..you are measuring out just the thick cream to get your recipe amount and not just taking the can’s measurement and not using the the water amount? (again..I’m making for a crowd…and could be a big difference depending on your measuring method. thanks!
Hey Mary! Correct 🙂 I measure out the thick part of the can first. Hope you and your guests enjoy! xx
any idea the weight of those sun-dried tomatoes? could really range in quantity and totally affect the taste!
if I go by the ‘measurements/servings’ on the bag…. 112 grams = 1/2 cup.
if I go by an online calculator–it goes as low as 27 grams—that is a HUGE difference in taste!
I’ll just eyeball-it…but I’m making for 20 adults…so it can really change things! suggestions on how to determine where between 27 and 112 grams?
Absolutely loved this recipe! It turned out incredibly delicious and the instructions were so easy to follow—perfect for beginners like me. It’s definitely proposal-worthy; maybe now my boyfriend will take the hint, haha!
This is one of my favorite recipes of yours!!
One of my fav recipes!! Do completely DF and don’t miss the cheese- so much flavor!
I’ve made this twice already and it’s so delicious!! Love dairy free recipes! Thank you!
The BEST recipe. So simple and delicious. My family isn’t big on mushrooms so we sub with sliced onions and red peppers 😮💨 such a staple weeknight recipe.
Hi!
I am wanting to try this but don’t have an oven safe skillet. Any suggestions?