One-pan meals are the ultimate solution for a busy weeknight, and this One Pan Marry Me Chicken Rice brings a sophisticated flair to your dinner table with minimal cleanup. This dish takes the viral, creamy, sun-dried tomato flavors known as “Marry Me Chicken” and transforms them into a hearty, all-in-one rice masterpiece.
Succulent chicken and aromatic basmati rice are simmered together in a savory broth, finished with a touch of cream and topped with crispy, savory bites for a restaurant-quality finish.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Deeply savory and “umami” forward, featuring concentrated tomato, smoky paprika, and a rich, creamy finish.
- Textures: Tender chicken pieces and fluffy basmati rice combined with the chewy texture of sun-dried tomatoes and a final crunch from the crispy topping.
- Total Time: Approximately 30–35 minutes (including 15 minutes of hands-off simmering).
- Difficulty Level: Easy; this is a straightforward one-pan method that requires basic sautéing and simmering.
What You’ll Need
For this recipe, you will need diced chicken breast and a base of dry basmati rice. The depth of flavor comes from a combination of tomato paste, sun-dried tomatoes, and a savory beef broth. To achieve that signature “Marry Me” silkiness, you will finish the dish with heavy cream and a generous sprinkling of parmesan cheese.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken Breast – Dicing the chicken into small, uniform pieces ensures it browns quickly and stays tender while the rice cooks.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes – These provide a concentrated, sweet-tart flavor. Be sure to dice them finely so they distribute evenly throughout the rice.
- Beef Broth/Stock – While chicken stock is common, using beef broth adds a surprisingly deep, robust color and savory foundation to the rice.
- Basmati Rice – This long-grain rice is ideal for one-pan dishes because it stays light and fluffy rather than becoming sticky.
- Tomato Paste – Cooking this down until it deepens in color is the key to unlocking a rich, caramelized flavor.
- Smoked Paprika – This adds a subtle woodsy note that complements the sun-dried tomatoes and the crispy topping perfectly.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Vegetables – A handful of fresh spinach can be stirred in at the very end when you add the cream for an extra boost of greens.
- Liquid – If you prefer a lighter version, half-and-half can be used instead of heavy cream, though the final sauce will be slightly less thick.
- Spice – Feel free to increase the amount of chili flakes if you enjoy a more pronounced heat to balance the creamy sauce.
How to Make One Pan Marry Me Chicken Rice
1. Brown the Chicken In a large, deep skillet or pan, mix your diced chicken breast with the chicken seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and dried oregano. Heat a small amount of oil over medium-high heat and fry the chicken until it is nicely browned and has developed some good color on the outside.
2. Sauté Aromatics and Pastes Add the diced onion to the pan and fry until softened. Next, add the crushed garlic, dried oregano, and a pinch of chili flakes. Stir in the tomato paste (tomato puree) and cook this down for a few minutes until the color deepens into a dark, rich red.
3. Simmer the Rice Add the diced sun-dried tomatoes and the uncooked dry basmati rice to the pan. Stir for about a minute to toast the rice slightly, then pour in the beef broth. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to low, cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid, and leave it to cook undisturbed for 15 minutes.
4. Crisp the Topping While the rice is simmering, take your diced chorizo and crisp it up in a separate small pan or in the air fryer until it is golden and the fats have rendered.
5. Finish and Serve Once the rice has absorbed the liquid and is tender, remove the lid and stir in the heavy cream and half of the grated parmesan cheese. Scatter the remaining cheese and fresh parsley over the top, and finish the dish by garnishing with the crispy chorizo.
Pro Tip: After the 15-minute simmer is over, let the pan sit off the heat with the lid on for an extra 2–3 minutes before stirring in the cream. This allows the steam to finish fluffing the rice perfectly.
Recipe Tips
- The “Fond” – Don’t worry about the brown bits at the bottom of the pan after frying the chicken; they will dissolve into the broth and provide immense flavor to the rice.
- Tomato Paste – Be patient when cooking the tomato paste. You want it to lose its bright red, raw look and turn a deep brick-red for the best flavor.
- Lid Seal – Ensure your pan has a well-fitting lid. If steam escapes during the 15 minutes, the rice may end up too firm.
FAQs
Why use beef broth with chicken? Using beef broth gives the rice a darker, more “golden” appearance and a savory depth that pairs beautifully with the sun-dried tomatoes.
Can I use a different type of rice? Basmati or Jasmine work best for this timing. If you use a short-grain rice, you may need to adjust the liquid ratio and cooking time.
Is this dish spicy? It has a very mild warmth from the chili flakes and smoked paprika, but it is generally considered a mild, family-friendly dish.
Serving Suggestions
- Side Salad – A simple arugula salad with a lemon-olive oil dressing provides a bright contrast to the creamy rice.
- Roasted Veggies – Tender-stem broccoli or roasted asparagus make for a great green addition on the side.
- Garlic Bread – A piece of warm, crusty garlic bread is perfect for cleaning up any remaining creamy sauce.
Make This Recipe in Advance
This dish is best served fresh to maintain the texture of the rice, but it can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of water or broth to the rice to help it regain its creamy consistency. You can also dice your chicken and onions a day ahead to speed up the prep process.
Print
One Pan Marry Me Chicken Rice
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2–3 Servings 1x
Description
One-pan meals are the ultimate weeknight solution, and this One Pan Marry Me Chicken Rice brings a sophisticated flair with minimal cleanup. This dish transforms the viral, creamy sun-dried tomato flavors into a hearty rice masterpiece finished with a touch of cream and crispy chorizo.
Ingredients
The Chicken & Rice Base
- 14 oz chicken breast, diced
- 3/4 cup dry basmati rice
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth/stock
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, diced
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- Spice Blend: 1 tsp each chicken seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano
The Toppings
- 2.5 oz chorizo, diced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Brown the Chicken: Toss chicken with spices. Fry in a deep skillet over medium-high heat until golden.
Sauté Aromatics: Add onion and fry until soft. Stir in garlic and tomato paste; cook 2–3 mins until deep red.
Simmer: Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and rice. Pour in beef broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 mins undisturbed.
Crisp Topping: While rice simmers, fry chorizo in a separate pan until crispy.
Finish: Remove lid from rice. Stir in heavy cream and half the Parmesan. Top with remaining Parmesan, parsley, and crispy chorizo.
Notes
Beef Broth Secret: Beef broth provides a much deeper savory foundation and golden hue than chicken broth.
Tomato Paste Tip: Cooking the paste until brick-red removes the metallic taste and adds caramelized sweetness.
The Rest Period: Letting the pan sit off heat for 2 mins with the lid on ensures perfectly fluffed rice grains.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pan / Stovetop
- Cuisine: Modern American / Viral Trend
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Bowl
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 920mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: one pan marry me chicken, sun-dried tomato rice, easy chicken and rice, viral chicken recipe, 30 minute dinners, creamy chicken rice bowl
