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Creamy Marry Me Chicken Recipe Easy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

creamy marry me chicken - featured image

A quick and easy creamy chicken dish with a tangy sun-dried tomato sauce that is perfect for cozy dinners and busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds / 700g)
  • Salt and pepper, to season
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil, drained)
  • 1 cup chicken broth (240ml), homemade or low-sodium store-bought
  • ¾ cup heavy cream (180ml)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 50g)
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then season generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil and butter. Let the butter melt completely and start to foam but not brown.
  3. Add the chicken breasts to the hot pan and cook without moving for about 5-6 minutes until golden brown. Flip and sear the other side for another 5 minutes. The chicken won’t be fully cooked yet.
  4. Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil to rest.
  5. Lower heat to medium, add minced garlic to the same pan and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  6. Add sun-dried tomatoes and stir for about 1 minute to warm and release flavor.
  7. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the pan bottom. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
  8. Stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Stir gently until cheese melts and sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
  9. Add dried Italian herbs and red pepper flakes if using. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  10. Return chicken breasts to the pan, nestle into the sauce, spoon sauce over top, cover, and simmer for 5 more minutes until chicken is cooked through.
  11. Remove from heat, garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley, and serve immediately.

Notes

If the sauce gets too thick, stir in a splash of broth or cream to loosen it. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). For a dairy-free version, substitute coconut cream for heavy cream and nutritional yeast for Parmesan. Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts with adjusted cooking time.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken, marry me chicken, sun-dried tomato sauce, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, creamy sauce, chicken breasts