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Creamy Marry-Me Chicken Recipe Easy Sun-Dried Tomato Parmesan Meal

creamy marry-me chicken - featured image

A quick and easy creamy chicken dish with sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan, perfect for cozy dinners and weeknights. This flavorful recipe features tender chicken breasts in a rich, savory sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (medium-sized)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed and chopped
  • 1 cup chicken broth (low sodium)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ¾ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and about 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Let them sit while you heat the pan (about 5 minutes).
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in your skillet over medium-high heat. When shimmering, add the chicken breasts. Cook for about 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C). Remove chicken and set aside on a warm plate.
  3. Lower heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons unsalted butter to the same pan. Once melted, toss in 3 minced garlic cloves. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant—don’t let it burn!
  4. Stir in ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed for flavor). Let them sizzle for 1-2 minutes to release their richness.
  5. Pour in 1 cup chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan bottom. Let the broth reduce slightly for 3-4 minutes.
  6. Lower heat to medium-low. Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and ¾ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese. Stir gently until the cheese melts and sauce thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
  7. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like heat, and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Return the chicken breasts to the pan, spooning sauce over them. Let simmer for another 2 minutes so the chicken absorbs some of that creamy goodness.
  8. Sprinkle chopped fresh basil over the top just before serving for a burst of color and freshness.

Notes

If sauce is too thin, stir in more parmesan or simmer uncovered longer. If too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or cream. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to 165°F for juiciness. Avoid overcrowding the pan to get a good sear. Freshly grated parmesan melts better than pre-grated. Rest chicken after cooking to keep it juicy. For dairy-free, substitute coconut cream for heavy cream and nutritional yeast for parmesan. For gluten-free, use almond flour if breading chicken.

Nutrition

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