Creamy Tuscan 'Marry Me' Chicken

Relish in the flavors of major Tuscan flavors with my Creamy Tuscan 'Marry Me' Chicken! Using homemade Tuscan seasoning, heavy cream, sundried tomatoes, white cooking wine, parmesan, hints of lemon flavor, and kale, this decadent chicken dish comes together in a flash, making it perfect for a weeknight meal. Even the kids will love this creamy chicken! Dairy-free + Vegan options.

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When I think easy weeknight meals, I instantly think of chicken and anything that I can make in one pan. Don't you? This Creamy Tuscan 'Marry Me' Chicken fits both those bills, and then some, believe me. It's packed with deeply rich and savory flavors from jammy tomatoes, herbs and a fragrant Tuscan herb blend. If you have chicken breasts (or any other part of the chicken that's your fave) in your freezer right now, start defrosting because you're going to want to make this for dinner tonight.

This is a one-pot meal, so cooking and clean-up are as easy as can be. Simply sear the seasoned chicken breasts (best when marinated overnight) in the skillet, then make the sauce. Finish the chicken inside the sauce so that it cooks all the way through and absorbs all of the wonderful Tuscan flavors. My creamy chicken is perfect served with gnocchi (as pictured), mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, veggies, or your favorite side dish.

Be sure to see this beauty (and other recipes) come to life via IG Reels for a nice visual!

Overall, this creamy chicken dish is definitely comfort food in a bowl, includes simple steps, and can totally be personalized based on preference----i.e. sub with your favorite side dish or eat without meat by subbing things like mushrooms, tofu, cauliflower, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, etc.

Lover of Tuscan Flavors? These Dishes are a Must!

Easy Weeknight Creamy Tuscan Ravioli

Creamy Lemon Herb Parmesan Chicken

Creamy Tuscan Lobster Pasta

Why is it Called Marry Me Chicken?

OK, so you're probably wondering why this dish is called Marry Me Chicken, right? I know. Honestly, based on my research, this was a TikTok recipe that went viral and apparently once you eat it, it'll make someone want to marry you. Haha. However, I can totally understand why this concept came to life because it literally is THAT GOOD! Of course, I had to put my own spin on it and add a bit of additional flavors which was the perfect fit.

How to Make Creamy Tuscan 'Marry Me' Chicken

This is a very simple recipe, but it does have three components: sundried tomatoes, homemade Tuscan blend, and the chicken itself. Cooking Creamy Tuscan 'Marry Me' Chicken is generally an easy process—in total about 30-35 minutes. You first start by cleaning and washing your chicken pieces to ensure that they are clean and ready to be seasoned. I like to wash my chicken with both vinegar and lemon (or lime) to help keep things clean and sanitized.

Once your chicken is clean, then it’s seasoning time! I’m all about seasoning every “layer” of my food, therefore, the chicken gets direct seasoning and so does the sauce. Let everything marinate for 5-10 minutes, however, marinating your chicken overnight brings about even more flavor. Just store seasoned chicken in a safe, sealable bag like ziplock and add to a less crowded area of the fridge.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the butter and once fully heated, add the minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 1-2 minutes. Add the seasoned chicken and cook on each side until seared, about 3-4 minutes each side. Once brown on each side, add in the remaining ingredients and bring everything to a simmer until the chicken becomes tender and fully cooked through. 

Ingredients for Creamy Tuscan 'Marry Me' Chicken

The ingredients for this creamy chicken dish are important for developing the right flavor notes. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Chicken. You can use chicken breasts or a mixture of thighs and drumsticks, just remove the skin first.
• Herbs + Seasonings. A great addition of flavor that I use to season the chicken. You'll need: salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, parsley, thyme, + garlic powder.
• Butter. Use unsalted butter to control the flavor of the dish. For a dairy-free option, use vegan butter.
• Olive oil. Extra fat to this dish that adds additional flavor.
• Garlic. I recommend fresh, but you could use ½ teaspoon granulated garlic.
• Sundried tomatoes. Choose an organic bottle of sundried tomatoes or make your own roasted tomatoes.
• Tuscan seasonings. I like to create my own personal blend of dried thyme, smoked paprika, parsley, basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and dried rosemary.
• Parmesan cheese. You could also use pecorino romano. For a vegan option, dairy-free cheese shreds tastes great.
• Tomatoes. You can add as many tomatoes as you'd like to fill this dish. I used grape tomatoes, however, heirlooms, roma, etc. works too! Just chop them up into nice bite-sized pieces.
• Tomato paste. This adds additional flavor + color to the dish.
• Chicken stock. Use low-sodium store-bought or make your own.
• Heavy cream. I recommend organic–always! You can sub with full-fat coconut milk/cream for a DF option!
• White wine. Choose a dry wine that you like the taste of. You can omit and sub with more stock.
• Lemon juice. You can use store-bought or freshly-squeeze juice from an actual lemon.
• Kale. Use fresh for best results, but frozen also works! Ensure that it’s chopped.

What White Wine is Best in Marry Me Chicken?

I tend to use a lot of white cooking wine, which is easiest for me. However, I do occasionally add quality white wine to my dishes and I recommend using a dry white wine.

A dry white wine will add the right amount of acidity rather than sweetness, which will better compliment your dish like this Creamy Tuscan 'Marry Me' Chicken. In general, any of the following dry white wines work great in this dish:

Pinot Grigio, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, and dry sparkling wines.

Herb Roasted Tomatoes

The herb-roasted tomatoes offer a delicious umami-packed flavor foundation for the creamy chicken dish.

You can make them ahead of time in the oven, then keep the tomatoes in the fridge unit you're ready to make the chicken. They'll stay fresh for up to three days in an airtight container.

Tuscan Seasoning Blend

Sure, you can find pre-made seasoning blends at the grocery store. But there's nothing like the fresh, customized flavor you get by making your own blend. The herbs and spices in the Tuscan spice mix for this recipe are inspired by the fresh herbs that grow in Italy, mixed with a bit of heat from smoked paprika.

You can Store the seasoning blend in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a month. Use it on anything from simple roasted vegetables to salad dressing to herb oil for dipping bread.

What Can Be Used in Place of Kale in This Creamy Chicken Dish?

Although, kale is the most common veggie used in this creamy chicken dish, you can definitely use other greens such as spinach, collard greens, bokchoy, etc. for a nice twist! When it comes to vegetables, there are so many benefits as we all know. While some veggies pack a greater punch when it comes to nutrients, we’ve curated a special list of our Our Top 12 Favorite Healthy Green Leafy Vegetables! Most of these are super popular while others are under utilized in many dishes. Lettuce Eat, Shall We?

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS DISH!

Here, I’ve curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this Creamy Tuscan 'Marry Me' Chicken. Everything from my fave baking sheet, dutch ovens, immersion hand-blender, mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

Meatless Options for this Creamy Tuscan 'Marry Me' Chicken

While this Creamy Tuscan 'Marry Me' Chicken is perfect as is---I definitely wanted to give options for those of you who don't eat meat or just might make this dish more than once and want to switch things up with a meatless option from time to time! Here are a few great ingredients that you can substitute with the chicken in this creamy dish.

Other ingredient ideas include:

• Roasted chickpeas
• Beans (like White beans, Kidney beans, etc.)
• Mushrooms
• Tofu or Tempeh
• Cauliflower
• Roasted veggies (like Broccoli, Asparagus, Cabbage, etc.)
• Vegan meatballs
• Jackfruit
• Other plant-based meat alternatives (store-bought)

What Can I Use Instead of Sundried Tomatoes?

If you aren't the biggest fan of sundried tomatoes or just don't have them on hand, here are a few great alternatives for you to choose from so that you can still enjoy this delicious creamy chicken dish:

• Roasted herb tomatoes
• Tomato puree
• Roasted bell peppers
• Canned tomatoes
• Tomato sauce or paste
• Fresh tomatoes

What to Serve with Creamy Tuscan 'Marry Me' Chicken

I like to serve this hearty dish with wintertime sides or something simple + comforting like gnocchi. You can roast up some sweet butternut squash or sweet potato while the oven is on for the tomatoes. Or try these other delicious starchy and fresh sides for chicken like one of the following:

• Vegan Sweet Potato Maple Herb Cornbread
• Spicy Chipotle Sweet Potato Chopped Salad
• Maple Herb Roasted Butternut Squash
• Vegan Garlic Naan Bread 
• Stovetop Southern Mac and Cheese
• Vegan Sweet Cornbread
• Creamy Jamaican Rasta Pasta
• Ultimate Vegan Mac + Cheese
• Ultra-Creamy Southern Cheese Grits

How to Store Leftover Creamy Tuscan 'Marry Me' Chicken

Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.

Can I Make this Creamy Tuscan 'Marry Me' Chicken Dairy-Free or Vegan?

Absolutely! To make this sauce dairy-free, simply use vegan butter instead of the regular butter. Then swap the cream with full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream. And use your favorite dairy-free shredded cheese or nutritional yeast instead of parmesan. To make this entire dish vegan, simply sub the chicken with other great meat alternatives: Roasted chickpeas, Beans (like White beans, Kidney beans, etc.), Mushrooms, Tofu or Tempeh, Cauliflower, Roasted veggies (like Broccoli, Asparagus, Cabbage, etc.), Vegan meatballs, Jackfruit, or Other plant-based meat alternatives (store-bought).

Other Chicken Dinner Recipes to Try!

• Creamy White Chicken Lasagna Soup
• Southern Hot Honey Fried Chicken
• Jerk Whole Roast Chicken
• Spicy Gochujang Chicken Tenders
• One Skillet Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo
• Jamaican Pineapple Jerk Chicken
• Authentic Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken
• Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you make this Creamy Tuscan 'Marry Me' Chicken, I’d love to see your creations! Tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea

Creamy Tuscan 'Marry Me' Chicken

4.14 from 50 votes

Looking for a flavorful + rich weeknight meal to enjoy with the entire family? Look no further----this Creamy Tuscan 'Marry Me' Chicken is just the thing!

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 35 mins

Total Time: 45 mins

Serves: 2 servings

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Ingredients

CHICKEN:

• 2 lbs. organic chicken breasts (You can also use things, drumsticks, etc.)
• 2 Tbsps Extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

HOMEMADE TUSCAN BLEND:

• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika 
• 2 tsps dried parsley
• 2 tsps dried basil
• 2 tsps dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder 
• ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
• 2 bay leaves

SAUCE:

• 4 Tbsps unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
• 5-6 organic sundried tomatoes
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 ½ cups organic heavy cream
• 1 cup organic chicken stock/broth
• 3 Tbsps white cooking wine (You can sub with additional chicken stock/broth)
• ½ lemon, freshly-squeezed
• 1 cup freshly-grated parmesan
• 1 ½ Tbsps Tuscan blend
• 1 tablespoon organic tomato paste
• 1-2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, halved or whole (You can also roast these for the best flavor; See Notes!)
• 1 cup organic kale, chopped

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

SEASON THE CHICKEN:

• In a large bowl, add your freshly cleaned + rinsed chicken along with the salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, parsley, garlic powder, and thyme, mixing everything together until chicken is fully coated. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes.

SEAR THE CHICKEN:

• In a large skillet (12-inch) over medium-high heat, add the butter and once fully melted, add the minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 1-2 minutes.
• Add the seasoned chicken and cook on each side until seared, about 3-4 minutes each side. Once brown on each side, remove from skillet and set unto a plate to "rest" while you make the sauce.

TO MAKE THE CREAMY TUSCAN 'MARRY ME' SAUCE:

• In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil until heated.
• Add in 1-2 Tbsps tuscan blend seasonings and stir until well combined. Add in the sundried tomatoes and tomato paste, stirring until combined.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low and slowly add in the heavy cream, chicken stock, lemon juice, and white wine, stirring until combined. Let it slightly bubble for 1-2 minutes and then add in the grated parmesan, whisking until fully melted and sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
• Add in the chopped kale and tomatoes, stirring until combined and return the chicken breasts. Let everything simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
• Stir the sauce occasionally and spoon it unto the chicken breasts as they continue to cook.
• Remove from heat once done.
• To serve, enjoy the chicken with your favorite side (i.e. gnocchi, rice, pasta, veggies, etc.). Garnish with a bit of grated parmesan (for extra cheesy flavor), if desired.
• Bon Appetit!

Tips & Tricks

• STORAGE: Any leftovers can be kept in a tightly sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• GREENS: To add a bit more flavor to this dish, you can always feel free to add in your favorite greens such as spinach, broccolini, collards, or asparagus. 
• TUSCAN SEASONING (STORAGE): Any leftover tuscan blend seasoning can be stored in a ziplock bag or jar for later use or used as garnish. 
• DAIRY-FREE OPTION: To make this sauce dairy-free, simply use vegan butter instead of the regular butter. Then swap the cream with full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream. And use your favorite dairy-free shredded cheese or nutritional yeast instead of parmesan. 
• VEGAN OPTION: To see meat alternatives for this dish, see Post!
• SPICES/HERBS: If desired, you can reduce the amounts slightly. Please know that this recipe is bold in spice/herb flavor, so feel free to adjust based on your tastebuds.
• EQUIPMENT: Here, I’ve curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this Creamy Tuscan 'Marry Me' Chicken. Everything from my fave baking sheet, dutch ovens, immersion hand-blender, mixing bowls, and more.
• HERB ROASTED TOMATOES: For extra flavor and taste, you can roast your tomatoes by following my Herb Roasted Tomatoes.

Nutrition

Calories: 1840kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 121g | Fat: 136g | Saturated Fat: 69g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 44g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 596mg | Sodium: 2710mg | Potassium: 2578mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 9867IU | Vitamin C: 57mg | Calcium: 968mg | Iron: 12mg

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Tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea

Creamy Tuscan 'Marry Me' Chicken.

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