Creamy Italian-Style Chickpeas

This creamy, garlicky marry me chickpeas recipe offers a vegetarian twist on the famous marry me chicken. The combination of sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan, and herbs creates a rich Italian-inspired dish that comes together in just 15 minutes but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.

I first made these chickpeas for my skeptical partner who claimed no vegetarian dish could rival his favorite chicken recipes. Three helpings later, he was completely converted and now requests this regularly for our date nights at home.

Ingredients

• Unsalted butter creates the rich base for our sauce without adding too much salt
• Garlic fresh cloves provide the aromatic foundation that makes this dish irresistible
• Dried herbs oregano and red pepper flakes bring classic Italian flavors and a hint of heat
• Sun dried tomatoes these concentrated flavor bombs add umami and depth look for oil packed varieties for the best flavor
• Chickpeas two cans provide protein and a satisfying texture drain and rinse them well
• Heavy cream creates the luxurious sauce that makes this dish special use room temperature cream to prevent curdling
• Parmesan cheese use freshly grated for the best melting properties and flavor
• Fresh basil brightens the rich dish with color and herbaceous notes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Flavor Base

Heat butter in a large sauté pan over medium heat until melted and slightly bubbling. Add minced garlic and all the dried seasonings salt oregano pepper flakes and black pepper. Cook for exactly 2 minutes stirring constantly to prevent garlic from burning. The butter will become infused with the garlic and spices creating an aromatic foundation for the entire dish. Your kitchen should smell heavenly at this point.

Fillings

Add the chopped sun dried tomatoes vegetable broth and drained chickpeas to the pan stirring to combine everything with the garlic butter mixture. Allow this mixture to simmer uncovered for 5 minutes on medium heat. During this time the chickpeas will absorb some of the flavored broth and the sun dried tomatoes will release their intense flavor into the sauce. The liquid will reduce slightly concentrating the flavors.

Finish

Remove the pan from heat completely before proceeding to prevent the cream from curdling. Gently stir in the heavy cream parmesan cheese and fresh basil. The residual heat will warm the cream and melt the cheese creating a silky smooth sauce that coats the chickpeas. The sauce will continue to thicken slightly as it cools. Serve immediately while still warm with crusty bread for dipping.

Bookmark

The sun dried tomatoes are my secret weapon in this recipe. I discovered their transformative power while traveling through Tuscany where a local cook showed me how they concentrate flavor in even the simplest dishes. My partner now jokes that these chickpeas should come with a warning label because they might just lead to a marriage proposal.

Serving Suggestions

This versatile dish works beautifully in multiple settings. Serve it over pasta for a complete meal similar to a vegetarian pasta alla vodka. The creamy sauce coats linguine or penne perfectly. For a lighter option spoon it over cauliflower rice or alongside roasted vegetables like broccoli or Brussels sprouts. The chickpeas also make an incredible bruschetta topping simply pile them onto toasted sourdough rubbed with garlic.

Make It Your Own

The basic recipe is delicious as written but feel free to customize based on your preferences. For a dairy free version substitute coconut cream for the heavy cream and nutritional yeast for the parmesan. Add sautéed spinach kale or arugula in the final step for added nutrition and color. For meat eaters who want more protein add grilled chicken breast or sautéed shrimp. The versatile sauce works beautifully with almost any protein.

The History Behind The Dish

Marry Me dishes have been popularized in recent years as meals so delicious they inspire marriage proposals. The original Marry Me Chicken featured a similar creamy sun dried tomato sauce but with chicken instead of chickpeas. This vegetarian adaptation maintains all the richness and flavor of the original while being more inclusive for plant based diets. The name comes from the idea that cooking this for someone special might just lead to a proposal given how irresistibly delicious it is.

Storage and Meal Prep

Unlike many creamy dishes this one reheats beautifully making it perfect for meal prep. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. The flavors actually deepen over time as the chickpeas continue to absorb the sauce. When reheating add a splash of broth or water if the sauce has thickened too much. This dish also freezes well in individual portions for up to three months just thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Recipe Q&A

→ Can I use dried chickpeas instead of canned?

Yes, but you'll need to cook them separately first. Soak 1 cup dried chickpeas overnight, then simmer for about 1.5-2 hours until tender before adding them to the recipe. Canned chickpeas provide convenience without sacrificing flavor for this quick meal.

→ What can I substitute for heavy cream?

Half-and-half works well as mentioned in the recipe. For dairy-free options, try full-fat coconut milk or cashew cream. The sauce won't be quite as rich but will still have a lovely creamy texture.

→ How can I make this dish vegan?

Replace butter with olive oil, heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or cashew cream, and substitute nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan for the cheese. The flavor profile will change slightly but still remain delicious.

→ What can I serve with Marry Me Chickpeas?

Crusty bread is perfect for soaking up the sauce. It also pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables. A simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette makes a perfect accompaniment.

→ Why are they called Marry Me Chickpeas?

This is a vegetarian spin on "Marry Me Chicken," a dish supposedly so delicious it inspires marriage proposals! The name comes from the irresistible flavor combination that wins hearts with its creamy, savory richness.

→ Can I make this ahead of time?

Absolutely! The flavors actually develop nicely when made in advance. Store in the refrigerator for up to 7 days and reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each.