This Creamy Marry Me Chicken & Potatoes is a hearty, one-pan inspired comfort meal that brings together the viral, savory flavors of sun-dried tomatoes and cream with perfectly golden, crispy potatoes. It is a sophisticated yet simple dish that is sure to become a staple in your weeknight rotation.
Diced chicken breast is simmered in a rich, velvety sauce and topped with air-fried or roasted potatoes and a layer of bubbling melted cheese for the ultimate finishing touch.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Deeply savory and aromatic with a tangy brightness from sun-dried tomato paste and a rich, buttery finish.
- Textures: Tender, succulent chicken pieces and a smooth, creamy sauce contrasted by the exterior crunch of golden-brown cubed potatoes.
- Total Time: Approximately 35–40 minutes.
- Difficulty Level: Easy; requires basic skillet work and either an air fryer or oven for the potatoes.
What You’ll Need
To create this dish, you will focus on two main components: the crispy seasoned potatoes and the creamy chicken base. The flavor is built using a combination of garlic purée, standard tomato paste, and concentrated sun-dried tomato paste, which are all brought together with chicken stock and light cream.
Ingredient Notes
- Potatoes – Use a floury or all-purpose variety like Russet or Yukon Gold. Cubing them into uniform sizes ensures they cook evenly and achieve that desired golden exterior.
- Sun-Dried Tomato Paste – This is the secret to the “Marry Me” flavor profile. It provides a much more intense, sweet, and tart tomato flavor than regular paste alone.
- Light Cream (Single Cream) – This adds the necessary silkiness to the sauce without making the dish feel overly heavy.
- Garlic Purée – Using a purée or finely minced fresh cloves allows the garlic flavor to melt into the sauce, providing a consistent aromatic base throughout the dish.
- Chicken Seasoning – Use your favorite store-bought or homemade blend to ensure the chicken is flavorful from the very first sear.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Vegetables – You can stir in a handful of fresh baby spinach during the simmering stage for added color and nutrients.
- Cheese – While cheddar and mozzarella are excellent choices, you can add a sprinkle of parmesan for an extra salty, nutty kick.
- Protein – Though chicken breast is lean and quick-cooking, boneless skinless chicken thighs can be used if you prefer a juicier, richer meat.
How to Make Creamy Marry Me Chicken & Potatoes
1. Cook the Potatoes Start by tossing your cubed potatoes with the garlic granules, salt, and pepper until well-coated.
- Air fryer method: Cook at 400°F for about 18–20 minutes, making sure to shake the basket halfway through to get an even crisp.
- Oven method: If you don’t have an air fryer, bake them on a tray at 425°F for about 20–25 minutes until they are golden and tender.
2. Cook the Chicken While the potatoes are crisping up, season your diced chicken with the chicken seasoning. Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a little oil and cook the chicken until it begins to brown beautifully on all sides.
3. Add Aromatics Stir the diced onion into the skillet with the chicken and cook until it has softened. Next, add the garlic purée, standard tomato paste, and sun-dried tomato paste. Cook this mixture for 2–3 minutes to toast the pastes and release their full aroma.
4. Make the Sauce Pour in the chicken stock and the light cream. Let the mixture simmer gently for 3–5 minutes. You will see the sauce start to thicken slightly and turn a beautiful orange-red hue.
5. Finish the Dish Once the sauce is ready, top the chicken mixture directly in the skillet with your cooked, crispy potatoes. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top. Place the skillet under the broiler (grill) for just a few minutes until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbling.
6. Serve Garnish the dish with fresh chopped parsley if desired and serve while it is piping hot.
Pro Tip: When simmering the sauce, keep the heat at a gentle bubble. Boiling the cream too vigorously can cause it to separate; a low simmer ensures a perfectly smooth and cohesive texture.
Recipe Tips
- Potato Texture – Ensure your potatoes are patted dry before tossing with oil and spices; this helps them get as crispy as possible in the air fryer or oven.
- The Skillet – Use an oven-safe skillet (like cast iron or stainless steel) so you can transition directly from the stovetop to the broiler without changing pans.
- Deglazing – As you pour in the chicken stock, use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan that is where all the concentrated flavor lives!
FAQs
Can I use milk instead of light cream? Light cream is preferred for its stability and thickness. If you use milk, the sauce will be much thinner and may not coat the chicken and potatoes as well.
Is this dish very spicy? No, this dish is quite mild. The sun-dried tomato paste provides a savory sweetness rather than heat. You can add chili flakes if you prefer a bit of a kick.
How do I store leftovers? Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Note that the potatoes will lose their crispness once refrigerated, but the flavors will continue to develop.
Serving Suggestions
- Green Salad – A crisp arugula or balsamic vinaigrette salad provides a nice acidic balance to the creamy sauce.
- Steamed Vegetables – Broccoli or green beans are excellent for soaking up any extra sauce left on the plate.
- Crusty Bread – A piece of warm ciabatta or a baguette is perfect for dipping into the sun-dried tomato cream.
Make This Recipe in Advance
You can cube the potatoes and dice the chicken earlier in the day to save on prep time. The potatoes can also be cooked ahead of time and quickly tossed back into the air fryer for 2 minutes to crisp up right before you add them to the skillet. However, for the best texture, the cream sauce is best prepared and served immediately.
Print
Creamy Marry Me Chicken & Potatoes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 Servings 1x
Description
This Creamy Marry Me Chicken & Potatoes is a hearty comfort meal that brings together the viral, savory flavors of sun-dried tomatoes and cream with golden, crispy potatoes. This sophisticated yet simple dish features diced chicken in a velvety sauce, topped with air-fried potatoes and bubbling melted cheese.
Ingredients
The Crispy Potatoes
- 1.75 lbs potatoes, cubed
- 1 tablespoon garlic granules
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
The Chicken & Aromatics
- 1.1 lbs chicken breast, diced
- 1–2 tablespoons chicken seasoning
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 teaspoons garlic purée
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato paste
The Sauce & Toppings
- 1 1/4 cups chicken stock
- 1/2 cup light cream
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar/mozzarella)
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
Cook the Potatoes: Toss cubed potatoes with garlic granules, salt, and pepper. Air fry at 400°F for 18–20 mins or bake at 425°F for 20–25 mins until golden.
Cook the Chicken: Season diced chicken and brown in a skillet over medium heat.
Add Aromatics: Stir in onion until softened. Add garlic purée, tomato paste, and sun-dried tomato paste. Sauté for 2–3 mins to toast the pastes.
Make the Sauce: Pour in chicken stock and cream. Simmer for 3–5 mins until thickened.
Finish: Top the mixture with crispy potatoes and shredded cheese. Broil for a few minutes until the cheese is bubbling. Garnish with parsley.
Notes
Sun-Dried Secret: The sun-dried tomato paste provides the signature tart depth unique to ‘Marry Me’ style dishes.
Heat Management: Simmer the cream sauce gently; boiling too hard can cause the fats to separate from the liquid.
Potato Prep: Drying the potatoes thoroughly before seasoning is the only way to achieve a true crisp rather than a steam.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet / Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Modern American / Viral Trend
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Bowl
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: marry me chicken and potatoes, creamy sun-dried tomato chicken, one pan chicken dinner, air fryer potato recipes, easy comfort food, 40 minute meals
