The ‘Marry Me’ Chicken That Will Win Your Heart
Easy One-Pan Baked Chicken: The Famous ‘Marry Me’ Chicken!
This chicken dish is so incredibly delicious that tasters who tried it declared they’d marry it – hence its name, ‘Marry Me’ Chicken! Imagine a chicken so captivating that it inspires a proposal just by looking at it! Prepare to be swept off your feet by the irresistible flavors of this simple yet elegant oven-baked chicken.
Ingredients
- Chicken thighs (or drumettes/breast) – 6 pieces
- Heavy cream – 120ml
- Sun-dried tomatoes (or fresh tomatoes) – 64g
- Parmesan cheese, grated – 32g
- Crushed red pepper flakes – 1 Tbsp
- Dried thyme – 1 Tbsp
- Chicken stock – 180ml
- Garlic – 2 cloves (minced or thinly sliced)
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper – 1 pinch
- Olive oil – 2 Tbsp
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F) using the conventional bake setting. Season the chicken pieces generously on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place the chicken pieces in the pan and sear them until they develop a beautiful golden-brown color on each side. Once seared, temporarily remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
Step 2
In the same skillet, add the minced (or sliced) garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30-60 seconds. Be careful not to burn it. Next, add 1 tablespoon of dried thyme and stir it into the garlic for about 30 seconds to release its aroma. Then, add 1 tablespoon of crushed red pepper flakes and sauté briefly, just until you can smell their spicy notes.
Step 3
As the aroma of the red pepper flakes intensifies, pour in 180ml of chicken stock. Use a spatula to gently scrape up any delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan – this adds a depth of flavor to the sauce.
Step 4
Once the chicken stock begins to simmer, pour in 120ml of heavy cream. Stir gently to combine, creating the creamy base for your sauce.
Step 5
Now, add 64g of sun-dried tomatoes (or chopped fresh tomatoes) and 32g of grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce. Stir everything together until the cheese is melted and incorporated. Taste the sauce and add a pinch of salt if needed to balance the flavors. Remember, the tomatoes are more for visual appeal and a subtle tangy note rather than the primary flavor driver.
Step 6
Allow the sauce to simmer gently for a minute or two, letting the flavors meld. Once the sauce has slightly thickened, return the seared chicken pieces to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Ensure the chicken is partially submerged. Place the skillet into your preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or up to 25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is bubbling.
Step 7
Carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Garnish generously with fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped or torn, for a burst of freshness and color. Serve immediately while hot to best enjoy the rich, creamy, and savory flavors of your ‘Marry Me’ Chicken!
