Description
This Marry Me Chicken is a creamy, dreamy dish bursting with flavor—garlicky sun-dried tomatoes, rich Parmesan cream sauce, and perfectly seared chicken breasts. It’s quick enough for weeknights but impressive enough for date night or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (oil-packed, drained)
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Substitution Ideas:
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for more moisture.
- Coconut cream works as a dairy-free alternative to heavy cream.
- Fresh herbs can replace dried (use three times the amount).
- Nutritional yeast can substitute for Parmesan for a dairy-free option.
- Roasted cherry tomatoes can work if you don’t have sun-dried tomatoes.
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Pound thicker parts of the breast to create uniform thickness for even cooking.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add chicken breasts and sear until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and tent loosely with foil.
- Create the Flavor Base: Reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic to the same skillet. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Build the Sauce: Pour in chicken broth, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Allow the liquid to reduce by half, about 3-4 minutes. Then add heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Incorporate the Cheese: Reduce heat to low and stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Return Chicken to Pan: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Spoon some sauce over the top of each chicken breast. Cover and let simmer until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C), about 5-7 minutes.
- Finish and Serve: Garnish with fresh basil leaves and additional Parmesan if desired. Serve hot with plenty of sauce spooned over each chicken breast.
Notes
For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan instead of pre-shredded. Sun-dried tomatoes should be oil-packed for maximum flavor. If substituting coconut cream, reduce the cooking time slightly to avoid curdling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: marry me chicken, creamy chicken recipe, chicken with sun-dried tomatoes, easy weeknight dinner