How to Make Marry Me Chicken (Japanese-Style Recipe)

Marry Me Chicken is a viral dish known for its rich, creamy, and flavorful sauce. The name comes from the idea that the dish is so impressive and comforting that serving it to someone could make them want to say “marry me.” 

Despite its elegant taste, it is quick and easy to prepare at home. In this article, I share a Japanese-style version of Marry Me Chicken, perfect for a cozy Valentine’s Day dinner at home.

First, let me briefly explain what Marry Me Chicken is. It is a contemporary comfort food that gained popularity in the U.S. and later went viral on the internet all over the world. While there isn’t a single official recipe, multiple blogs and cooks have shared their versions.

While an “authentic” Marry Me Chicken recipe doesn’t truly exist, there are some common ingredients that are used in the dish. Here are the main ingredients in a classic Marry Me Chicken:

• Chicken (thigh or breast)
• Dairy products (milk or heavy cream)
• Chicken broth
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic
• Herbs (thyme, oregano, or basil)
  

To make a Japanese version of Marry Me Chicken, I substituted some of these ingredients with Japanese alternatives while keeping the core ingredients the same. Here are the changes I’ve made for creating a Japanese version of Marry Me Chicken:

• Dairy product → Soy milk
• Chicken broth → Dashi
• Herbs → Yuzu kosho
  

While many recipes suggest serving it with pasta, I recommend enjoying the Japanese version with traditional Japanese staples such as steamed rice and Udon noodles. The rich creamy sauce clings beautifully to the rice and Udon noodles well. To better balance the flavor and to pair well with these Japanese staples, I added Miso as well. It enhances the Umami and mild, savory saltiness of the dish. 

The process of making the Japanese version of Marry Me Chicken is quite similar to the internet-famous original version, but having made it at home, I realized that the key to making a perfect Marry Me Chicken lies in evenly flattening the Chicken before cooking, especially when you’re using chicken breast or thick chicken thigh. Since this recipe doesn’t involve a long-simmering process, it’s important that the meat is prepared to cook quickly and evenly. As a result, you can finish cooking within just a few minutes.

Additionally, when you cook the chicken in the broth, make sure to use low heat and cover the pan with a lid, as cooking over high heat can cause the broth to evaporate too quickly before the chicken is fully cooked, which may ruin the dish…!

For further customization, you can add extra ingredients such as mushrooms or spinach. Feel free to experiment with other ingredients you enjoy.

For storage, keep the cooked Marry Me Chicken in a microwave-safe container and keep it in the fridge. Reheating it in the microwave when you’re ready to eat. I recommend avoiding reheating it on the stove several times, as the sauce will be denser.

In addition to Japanese Marry Me Chicken, try our other romantic dinner ideas in the previous articles like classic Japanese-style Roast Beef, pink-colored mentaiko pasta, and wagyu steak with rich marbling. These recipes also pair well with Japanese sake.