Marry Me Chicken and Broccoli

Marry Me Chicken and Broccoli is a creamy skillet dinner that comes together with tender chicken, fresh broccoli, Parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes. It has that rich, comforting flavor I want from a cozy dinner, but the broccoli keeps the dish from feeling too heavy.

I like making this when I have chicken in the fridge and want to turn it into something more interesting than plain grilled or baked chicken. The broccoli cooks right in the same skillet, so it picks up some of the creamy sauce and becomes just as flavorful as the chicken.

The sauce is where most of the magic happens. Garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes create a creamy mixture with plenty of savory and slightly tangy flavor. You don’t need a complicated seasoning list because these ingredients already do most of the work.

It is also an easy dinner to serve with rice, pasta, potatoes, or even a piece of crusty bread. I usually keep the side simple because the chicken and broccoli already make a complete meal.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

This recipe is a great way to make chicken and broccoli feel like something completely different. Instead of a basic stir-fry or roasted chicken dinner, you get tender chicken covered in a creamy Parmesan sauce with little bites of broccoli throughout.

The sun-dried tomatoes add a sweet and slightly tangy flavor that balances the richness of the cream. Parmesan gives the sauce a deeper savory taste, while garlic and Italian seasoning bring everything together.

Another thing I like is that you don’t need many complicated steps. The chicken is browned first, the broccoli cooks until tender, and then everything comes together in the same skillet with the sauce. That means less washing up when dinner is finished.

You can also make the sauce as thick or as loose as you like. A small splash of chicken broth will loosen it, while a few extra minutes of gentle simmering will make it thicker.

Ingredients for Marry Me Chicken and Broccoli

For the Chicken

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Two chicken breasts are enough to make this a satisfying meal without making the skillet overcrowded. If they are thick, slice them in half horizontally or gently pound them to an even thickness so they cook evenly.
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning: This gives the chicken a simple herb flavor that works naturally with the creamy Parmesan sauce. It also means you don’t need several different dried herbs.
1/2 teaspoon salt: Salt seasons the chicken and helps bring out the flavor of the Italian seasoning. Sprinkle it evenly over both sides before cooking.
1/4 teaspoon black pepper: Black pepper adds a little warmth and balances the creamy sauce without making the dish spicy.
1 tablespoon olive oil: Olive oil is used to sear the chicken and helps create a golden-brown outside. The browned bits left in the skillet also add extra flavor to the sauce.

For the Broccoli and Sauce

2 cups broccoli florets: Broccoli adds freshness, color, and a little texture to the creamy chicken. Cut the florets into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly and are easy to eat with the chicken.
2 cloves garlic, minced: Garlic creates the savory base of the sauce. Fresh garlic gives the best flavor, and it only needs a short time in the skillet to become fragrant.
1/2 cup chicken broth: Chicken broth provides liquid for the sauce and helps loosen the flavorful browned bits left in the pan after cooking the chicken.
1/2 cup heavy cream: Heavy cream gives the sauce its smooth, rich texture. It also helps the Parmesan melt into a creamy coating for the chicken and broccoli.
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Parmesan adds salty, nutty flavor and helps naturally thicken the sauce as it melts. Freshly grated Parmesan is ideal because it melts smoothly.
1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes: Sun-dried tomatoes bring sweetness and a slight tang to the sauce. They also add a chewy texture that makes each bite a little more interesting.
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning: Adding a little seasoning to the sauce gives it a stronger herb flavor and ties the chicken and creamy mixture together.
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes: Red pepper flakes give the sauce a gentle kick that balances the richness. You can leave them out if you want a mild dinner.

For Finishing

2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped: Fresh basil adds a bright, fresh flavor at the end. Add it after cooking so it keeps its fresh taste and color.
1/4 cup chicken broth, as needed: Keep some extra broth nearby in case the sauce becomes too thick. You may not need all of it, but it is useful for adjusting the consistency at the end.

How to Make Marry Me Chicken and Broccoli

Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then season both sides evenly with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. If the chicken breasts are thick, slice them horizontally or pound them gently until they are an even thickness. This helps them cook evenly and keeps the thinner parts from drying out.
Sear the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken and cook for about 4–5 minutes on each side, or until the outside is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest while you prepare the broccoli and sauce.
Cook the broccoli: Reduce the heat to medium and add the broccoli florets to the same skillet. Cook for about 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli becomes bright green and starts to soften. If the florets are large, add a tablespoon or two of water and cover the skillet for a minute to help steam the centers.
Add the garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the broccoli and stir for about 30 seconds. The garlic should become fragrant but should not turn dark brown. Stir it into the broccoli so the flavor spreads throughout the skillet.
Pour in the chicken broth: Add the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned pieces from the bottom of the skillet. These pieces contain a lot of flavor from the chicken and will become part of the creamy sauce.
Build the creamy sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, then add the Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir everything together and let the sauce gently simmer for about 2–3 minutes. Keep the heat moderate so the cream warms and thickens without boiling aggressively.
Return the chicken: Place the cooked chicken back into the skillet, along with any juices that collected on the plate. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and let everything simmer together for another 2–3 minutes. This gives the chicken time to warm through and allows the sauce to coat the meat.
Check the broccoli: Test a piece of broccoli with a fork. It should be tender enough to bite through while still having a little texture. If it is still too firm for your liking, cover the skillet and cook for another 1–2 minutes.
Adjust the sauce: Look at the consistency before finishing the dish. The sauce should be creamy and thick enough to coat the chicken and broccoli. If it looks too thick, stir in a tablespoon of chicken broth at a time until it reaches the consistency you prefer. If it is too thin, let it simmer uncovered for another minute or two.
Finish with basil: Turn off the heat and sprinkle the fresh basil over the chicken and broccoli. Taste the sauce and add a little extra salt or black pepper if needed.
Serve immediately: Spoon the broccoli and creamy sauce onto plates and place the chicken alongside or on top. Make sure each serving gets plenty of sun-dried tomatoes and sauce. Serve while warm for the best texture and flavor.

What to Serve Marry Me Chicken and Broccoli With

Marry Me Chicken and Broccoli can easily stand on its own, but I like serving it with something that can soak up the creamy sauce. Steamed white rice is one of the easiest choices and makes the meal more filling without adding much extra work. Brown rice or a simple rice pilaf also works if you want a little more texture and flavor.

Pasta is another good option when I want a more comforting dinner. You can spoon the chicken and broccoli over spaghetti, penne, or another short pasta and let the creamy sauce work as the pasta sauce. There is no need to make a separate complicated sauce because the skillet sauce already has plenty of flavor.

For a lower-effort side, crusty bread works beautifully. The bread is especially useful for picking up the creamy Parmesan sauce left on the plate. If you want more vegetables, a simple green salad or roasted asparagus adds freshness without making the meal feel too heavy.

Mashed potatoes are also worth trying when you want something extra cozy. The creamy sauce spooned over the potatoes is rich and satisfying, while the broccoli adds some freshness and texture to the plate.

How to Store and Reheat Marry Me Chicken and Broccoli

Store leftover Marry Me Chicken and Broccoli in an airtight container and refrigerate it within a couple of hours after cooking. It will keep in the refrigerator for about 3–4 days. If you are storing the chicken with the broccoli and sauce together, make sure everything has cooled slightly before sealing the container, but don’t leave it sitting at room temperature for an extended period.

The sauce will naturally become thicker in the refrigerator because the Parmesan and cream firm up as they cool. I usually reheat leftovers in a skillet because it gives me more control over the sauce. Place the chicken, broccoli, and sauce in the skillet over medium-low heat, then add a small splash of chicken broth or cream. Stir gently as it warms, adding a little more liquid if the sauce looks too thick.

You can also use the microwave when you need something faster. Place a serving in a microwave-safe dish and cover it loosely so the food doesn’t dry out. Heat it in short intervals, stirring the sauce between each interval, until everything is heated through. Adding a teaspoon or two of broth or cream before reheating can help bring the sauce back to a smoother consistency.

Try not to use high heat when reheating this dish. Creamy Parmesan sauces can separate when they get too hot, and the chicken can become dry. Gentle reheating keeps the chicken tender, the broccoli from becoming mushy, and the sauce creamy enough to enjoy again.