I absolutely love how this Marry Me Chicken Ramen Recipe combines rich, creamy flavors with the comforting warmth of a good bowl of noodles. When I first tried it, the blend of sun-dried tomatoes, smoked paprika, and cream had me hooked immediately. It’s one of those dishes that feels indulgent but comes together quite quickly, making it perfect for those cozy weeknights or when you want to impress without the fuss.
You’ll find that this Marry Me Chicken Ramen Recipe is not just tasty but really versatile – the toppings let you customize it to your mood and pantry. Plus, it uses simple ingredients you might already have on hand, which is always a win in my kitchen. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll sneak into your regular rotation because it’s that comforting and delicious.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Comfort Food with a Twist: Creamy broth combined with flavorful spices makes this ramen a satisfying upgrade from the ordinary.
- Quick to Prepare: You can have dinner ready in just about 30 minutes, ideal for busy weeknights.
- Customizable Toppings: Add or swap toppings like coriander, beansprouts, or chilli oil to suit your taste and pantry.
- Impressive yet Easy: Perfect for when you want to wow family or friends without stressing over complicated techniques.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients in this Marry Me Chicken Ramen Recipe beautifully balance robust flavors from spices and sun-dried tomatoes with the creaminess that your soul will thank you for. When shopping, try to get quality chicken stock and fresh garlic for the best results.
- Olive oil: Great for a gentle, fruity start to frying the chicken and garlic without overpowering.
- Chicken breasts: Choose good quality breasts; boneless and skinless make cooking and slicing easier.
- All purpose flour: Helps to lightly coat the chicken for a golden crust and to slightly thicken the sauce.
- Garlic cloves: Fresh minced garlic gives a punch of flavor—don’t use pre-minced if you can help it.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Sliced ones pack intense flavor, a real game-changer in this recipe.
- Smoked paprika: Adds warm, slightly smoky undertones that enhance the chicken beautifully.
- Oregano: Earthy and slightly minty, it pairs wonderfully with the tomatoes and paprika.
- Chilli flakes: Adjust according to your heat preference for a gentle kick.
- Chicken stock: Use homemade or low-sodium store-bought to control salt levels.
- Single cream: This makes the broth luxuriously creamy—don’t substitute with milk if you want that richness.
- Parmesan: Freshly grated is best—trust me, it dissolves so much better and adds real depth.
- Ground pepper: Freshly ground is preferable to pre-ground for that aromatic zing.
- Flaky salt: Adds texture and flavor when seasoning just before serving.
- Sugar: A small touch balances acidity in the broth perfectly.
- Ramen noodles: Look for fresh or dried ramen noodles; they cook quickly and soak up the broth beautifully.
- Garnishes (coriander, beansprouts, edamame beans, spring onion, chilli oil): Fresh, crunchy, and vibrant elements that bring each bowl to life.
Variations
I love how flexible this Marry Me Chicken Ramen Recipe is—you can tweak it to suit your dietary needs or just what you’ve got in the fridge. Feel free to get creative, and you’ll find that some little changes can really make the dish your own.
- Lactose-Free Variation: I experimented with coconut cream instead of single cream for a dairy-free version, and it added a subtle sweetness that worked surprisingly well.
- Vegetable Boost: Sometimes I throw in spinach or kale with the noodles for an extra nutrient punch.
- Spicy Kick: I add extra chilli flakes or a splash of sriracha if I’m craving more heat, and my family always asks for seconds.
- Protein Swap: You can substitute chicken for tofu or shrimp if you’re looking for a different protein profile.
How to Make Marry Me Chicken Ramen Recipe
Step 1: Coat and Sear the Chicken
Start off by pouring the all-purpose flour onto a plate, then coat your chicken breasts evenly — this helps give them a lovely golden crust when frying. Heat your olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat and fry the chicken breasts for about 4 minutes on each side until they’re beautifully golden and cooked through. One tip I discovered is that if you’re unsure about doneness, using a meat thermometer to check for 74°C is the safest bet—no one wants dry chicken!
Step 2: Create the Flavorful Sauce Base
After removing the chicken, use the same pan to build your sauce. Toss in minced garlic, sliced sun-dried tomatoes, smoked paprika, chilli flakes, and oregano. Fry those for a couple of minutes until you can smell all those amazing aromas waking up your kitchen. If you want an extra flavor punch, add a tablespoon of the sun-dried tomato oil here — it’s a trick I started doing and it’s a game changer.
Step 3: Add Liquids and Cheese
Pour in half of your chicken stock (300ml) and the single cream, then stir everything together. Grate in the parmesan cheese – fresh is best here for a smooth, melty texture. Stir until the sauce is rich and smooth, then nestle your chicken breasts back into the pan. Cover with a lid and let everything simmer gently for about 5 minutes so the flavors can mingle.
Step 4: Final Seasoning and Cooking Noodles
Once the chicken is done, remove it again and set aside to slice. Season your broth with flaky salt, ground pepper, and a pinch of sugar—this sweet note balances the acidity wonderfully. Add the remaining chicken stock and your ramen noodles, then cook according to the packet instructions, stirring often. Keep an eye on the noodles so they stay tender but not mushy.
Step 5: Assemble and Garnish
Ladle the broth and noodles into bowls, top with your beautifully sliced chicken, and pile on fresh coriander, beansprouts, spring onions, edamame beans, and a drizzle of chilli oil. I love how the fresh garnishes add crunch and freshness that balances the creamy broth. Plus, they make the dish look stunning – almost too pretty to eat (almost!).
Pro Tips for Making Marry Me Chicken Ramen Recipe
- Coat the Chicken Well: Lightly dusting the chicken in flour really helps it get that golden-brown crust and keeps it juicy inside.
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: I learned that pre-grated parmesan just doesn’t melt into the sauce the same way – fresh is totally worth the extra effort!
- Watch Your Noodles: Stir frequently and keep an eye on cooking times – overcooked ramen noodles lose their delightful texture.
- Don’t Skip the Garnishes: The fresh coriander, spring onion, and chilli oil bring the dish alive – skipping these is missing half the fun!
How to Serve Marry Me Chicken Ramen Recipe
Garnishes
I always top my bowls with a handful of fresh coriander, some crunchy beansprouts, bright green edamame beans, thinly sliced spring onions, and a drizzle of chilli oil for a little heat and color. These garnishes brighten up the creamy broth and add textures that keep every bite interesting.
Side Dishes
To round out the meal, I like serving this with simple sides like steamed bok choy or lightly sautéed garlic green beans. A crisp Asian-style salad with sesame dressing also pairs beautifully to cut through the creaminess.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve served the ramen in beautiful ceramic bowls with individual little dishes for the garnishes so guests can customize. Adding edible flowers or thinly sliced red chili ribbons makes it look like a gourmet feast and always gets a wow!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftovers from this Marry Me Chicken Ramen Recipe go into an airtight container once cooled, then into the fridge. I find it keeps nicely for up to 3 days, and adding a splash of chicken stock when reheating restores the broth to its creamy goodness.
Freezing
Creamy sauces and ramen noodles don’t freeze brilliantly, but if you need to, I store the dish in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When thawing, I leave it in the fridge overnight then gently reheat in a saucepan with extra chicken stock to revive the sauce texture.
Reheating
I reheat leftovers gently on the stove, adding a bit of stock or water to loosen the sauce back up. Microwaving works too, but stirring halfway through helps avoid hot spots and keeps noodles from getting rubbery.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts in this Marry Me Chicken Ramen Recipe?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a great alternative—they tend to stay juicier and have a richer flavor. Just adjust the cooking time slightly as thighs may need a bit longer to cook through, and ensure the internal temperature reaches 74°C to be safe.
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Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, you can swap the single cream for coconut cream or any plant-based cream alternative. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious, offering a creamy texture without dairy.
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Can I prepare parts of this Marry Me Chicken Ramen Recipe in advance?
You can prepare the sauce and cook the chicken ahead of time, storing them separately in the fridge. When ready to eat, warm the sauce gently and cook fresh ramen noodles just before serving for the best texture.
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What if I don’t have sun-dried tomatoes on hand?
If you’re out of sun-dried tomatoes, you can substitute with a handful of roasted red peppers for a similar sweetness and depth, or omit them altogether but expect a milder flavor in the sauce.
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How spicy is this recipe and can I adjust it?
The recipe has a gentle kick from chilli flakes, but you can easily tailor it to your heat preference by reducing or increasing the amount of chilli flakes and chilli oil. Start mild if you’re unsure and add more as you go.
Final Thoughts
This Marry Me Chicken Ramen Recipe has become one of my absolute favorite comfort meals because it’s creamy, flavorful, and quick to make. I love sharing it with friends who are often surprised how simple it is to make a dish that feels like a restaurant quality experience. Give it a go—you might just find it becoming your new go-to dinner, just like it did for me.
PrintMarry Me Chicken Ramen Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Fusion (Japanese-Italian-inspired)
Description
Marry Me Chicken Ramen is a creamy, flavorful twist on traditional ramen featuring tender pan-fried chicken breasts simmered in a fragrant broth enriched with sun-dried tomatoes, smoked paprika, and parmesan cheese. Served with ramen noodles and fresh toppings like coriander, beansprouts, edamame beans, and spring onions, this dish combines comforting creaminess with vibrant, fresh flavors for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 chicken breasts
- 50g all purpose flour
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
- 1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 tablespoon oregano
- 1/2 tablespoon chilli flakes
- 600ml chicken stock, divided
- 300ml single cream
- 2 tablespoon grated parmesan, plus extra for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon flaky salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 200g ramen noodles
Toppings
- Coriander
- Beansprouts
- Edamame beans
- Spring onion
- Chilli oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pour the all purpose flour onto a plate. Coat the chicken breasts evenly with the flour. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the coated chicken breasts and fry for 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same saucepan, add the minced garlic, sliced sun-dried tomatoes, smoked paprika, chilli flakes, and oregano. Fry these ingredients together for a couple of minutes until fragrant. Pour in 300ml of chicken stock and the single cream, stirring to combine. Grate in 2 tablespoons of parmesan cheese and mix well.
- Simmer the Chicken: Return the chicken breasts to the pan with the sauce. Cover with a lid and cook for 5 minutes to allow the chicken to cook through and absorb the flavors. Once done, remove the chicken breasts and set them aside to slice later.
- Season the Broth and Cook Noodles: Season the creamy broth with flaky salt, ground pepper, and ½ teaspoon sugar. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Add the remaining 300ml of chicken stock to the saucepan and bring to a simmer. Add the ramen noodles and cook according to package instructions, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
- Assemble and Serve: Once the noodles have cooked, ladle the broth and noodles into two bowls. Top each bowl with sliced chicken, fresh coriander, beansprouts, edamame beans, spring onions, and a drizzle of chilli oil. Garnish with extra grated parmesan if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Step-by-Step Photos: My blog post includes helpful step-by-step photos to help guide you through making this recipe.
- To double quantity: This recipe can be doubled to make the dish for 4-6 people.
- Cooking Times: How long your chicken will take will vary on the thickness of the breasts. If in doubt, check using your meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 74°C for safe consumption.
- Extra Flavour: When frying the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, add a tablespoon of the sun-dried tomato oil for enhanced flavor.
- Parmesan: Use freshly grated parmesan from a block for best flavor and better melting ability in the sauce.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of water or chicken stock in the microwave until piping hot.
- Freezing: Creamy sauces and cooked ramen noodles freeze poorly, but if necessary, freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge and gently reheat in a saucepan with extra chicken stock.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately half the recipe)
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg