Marry Me Chicken Brown Butter

This Marry Me Chicken Pasta with brown butter has become my signature dish for special occasions, combining tender chicken with a luxurious sun-dried tomato cream sauce that's elevated by nutty brown butter. The viral TikTok twist transforms an already delicious recipe into something truly proposal-worthy.

I first made this for my boyfriend on our anniversary, and his reaction was so enthusiastic that it's now our tradition for every celebration. The name really does live up to the hype!

Ingredients

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts: provide the perfect protein base look for plump pieces with even thickness for consistent cooking
• Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil: offer intense sweet-savory flavor drain but save a bit of that infused oil for extra depth
• Heavy cream: creates the silky sauce base use full-fat for the richest results
• Parmesan cheese: adds salty umami notes freshly grated melts much better than pre-packaged
• Unsalted butter: allows you to control the salt level and creates that gorgeous nutty brown butter finish
• Fresh basil: brightens the rich sauce choose vibrant green leaves without any black spots
• Italian seasoning: infuses the chicken with classic Mediterranean flavors check your blend for freshness

Instructions

Prepare Pasta:

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and add a generous tablespoon of salt. The water should taste like the sea. Cook your pasta until just al dente, about 1 minute less than package directions suggest. This slight undercooking allows the pasta to finish in the sauce without becoming mushy. Before draining, reserve half a cup of the starchy cooking water to help bind the sauce later.

Season and Cook Chicken:

Pat the chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels to ensure a beautiful golden crust. Mix the salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder in a small dish, then thoroughly coat both sides of the chicken. Heat olive oil in a large skillet until it shimmers but doesn't smoke. Place the chicken in carefully and resist the urge to move it for at least 5 minutes to develop that golden crust. Flip only once and cook until the internal temperature reaches exactly 165%F.

Create the Base Sauce:

Using the same skillet with all those flavorful chicken bits, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 60 seconds, being careful not to let it brown or it will become bitter. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and watch as they begin to release their flavor into the butter, creating the foundation of your sauce.

Build the Cream Sauce:

Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth in a slow, steady stream while whisking constantly to create a smooth emulsion. Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese gradually, continuing to whisk to prevent clumping. Add the red pepper flakes for a subtle heat that cuts through the richness. Let the sauce gently bubble and thicken for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Combine Components:

Return the sliced chicken to the sauce, allowing it to soak up the flavors while you add the cooked pasta. Gently toss everything together using tongs, making sure every strand is coated with sauce. If the mixture seems too thick, add the reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time until you reach that perfect silky consistency. Fold in the fresh basil just before serving to maintain its vibrant color and aroma.

Create Brown Butter Finish:

In a separate light-colored saucepan so you can monitor the color changes, melt butter over medium heat. Watch carefully as it foams and the milk solids begin to separate and sink to the bottom. Continue swirling the pan as these solids turn from white to golden to a beautiful amber brown, releasing an intoxicating nutty aroma. Immediately remove from heat when you achieve this color to prevent burning.

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The first time I made the brown butter for this recipe, I was nervous about burning it. Now it's my favorite kitchen magic trick. That moment when the butter transforms and releases its nutty aroma is culinary alchemy at its finest. I sometimes make extra just to drizzle over vegetables or bread because it's that good.

Storage and Reheating

This pasta keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, making it perhaps even more delicious the next day. When reheating, add a splash of cream or chicken broth to revitalize the sauce, as it will thicken considerably when chilled. Warm gently over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent the cream from separating.

Ingredient Substitutions

If heavy cream seems too indulgent, you can substitute half-and-half mixed with a teaspoon of cornstarch for a lighter but still creamy sauce. Chicken thighs work beautifully in place of breasts, offering more flavor and forgiveness if slightly overcooked. For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with sautéed portobello mushrooms and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. The brown butter element works wonderfully with any of these variations.

Make It Your Own

While the recipe is perfect as written, consider it a canvas for personalization. Add spinach or kale in the final minutes of cooking for added nutrition and color. Roasted cherry tomatoes provide a fresh contrast to the sun-dried variety. For a seafood twist, substitute the chicken with sautéed shrimp or scallops, reducing their cooking time accordingly. If you enjoy heat, double the red pepper flakes or add a dash of calabrian chili paste to the sauce.

The History of Marry Me Chicken

This dish earned its name from its reputation for being so delicious it could prompt a marriage proposal. The original version gained popularity on food blogs around 2019, featuring chicken in a sun-dried tomato cream sauce. The TikTok version with brown butter emerged in early 2022, adding another layer of flavor complexity. While the dish has Italian-American influences, it represents modern social media food culture where dramatic names and small twists on classics create viral sensations.

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These tips will help you achieve restaurant-quality Marry Me Chicken Pasta at home. Enjoy the process and the delicious results.

Recipe FAQ

→ How do I achieve golden chicken for this dish?

Pat the chicken dry and sear it in hot olive oil until both sides are golden brown and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes per side.

→ Can I substitute other pasta shapes?

Absolutely! Fettuccine, penne, or any preferred pasta shape will work. Just ensure it's cooked al dente for best texture.

→ How do I make brown butter correctly?

Melt butter over medium heat, swirling until it turns golden brown and releases a nutty aroma—remove from heat promptly to avoid burning.

→ What ingredients add extra flavor?

Try using chicken thighs, adding spinach or mushrooms, or finishing with more fresh basil and extra Parmesan for richer flavor.

→ Is this dish suitable for meal prepping?

This meal keeps well for a few days in the fridge. Store sauce and pasta separately for best texture when reheating.

→ Which wine pairs well?

Crisp Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc balance the creamy, savory sauce without overpowering the flavors.