Description
Marry Me Chicken is a decadent, creamy chicken dish featuring sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and parmesan cheese. Tender chicken breasts are seared to perfection, then simmered in a luscious sauce made from heavy cream, chicken broth, and Italian seasonings. This quick and flavorful recipe promises a romantic meal that’s both comforting and elegant.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Sear the Chicken: Sprinkle salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning evenly on both sides of the chicken breasts to season.
- Heat Olive Oil: Warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Cook Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the hot oil and sear them for about 5 minutes on each side or until they develop a golden brown crust. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds or until fragrant, ensuring not to burn it.
- Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook briefly until they soften.
- Deglaze Pan: Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Lower the heat to medium and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Season Sauce: Sprinkle in the red pepper flakes to add a mild heat and mix well.
- Simmer Chicken in Sauce: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the creamy sauce over them. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Garnish and Serve: Once cooked through, garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired, and serve immediately with your choice of sides.
Notes
- Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for more flavor or rehydrate dry-packed ones in warm water before chopping.
- Ensure the chicken is cooked fully by using an instant-read thermometer to check for 165°F internal temperature.
- This dish pairs well with pasta, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables.
- To make it lighter, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
