Description
This Original Marry Me Chicken recipe features juicy, golden-brown chicken breasts cooked in a creamy, flavorful sauce made with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh thyme, and Parmesan. Finished with a touch of fresh basil, this elegant dish is perfect for a special dinner that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
- 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- Torn fresh basil leaves, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven and sear chicken: Arrange a rack in the center of your oven and preheat to 375°F (190°C). Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Generously season the chicken breasts with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place chicken in the skillet and cook, turning once halfway through, until both sides are golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Prepare the sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Stir in the finely chopped garlic, fresh thyme leaves, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook while stirring until fragrant, approximately 1 minute. Next, add the low-sodium chicken broth, finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan cheese. Season the sauce with salt to taste. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the seared chicken along with any accumulated juices back into the skillet with the sauce. Ensure the chicken is partially submerged in the sauce to absorb the flavors.
- Bake until cooked through: Transfer the ovenproof skillet to the preheated oven. Bake the chicken for 10 to 12 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken reads 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Arrange the chicken breasts on a serving platter. Spoon the creamy sauce generously over the chicken and garnish with torn fresh basil leaves for a fragrant, colorful finish.
Notes
- To easily check for doneness, use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
- If you don’t have an ovenproof skillet, sear the chicken in a regular skillet and finish baking in a baking dish.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Serve with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to make the meal more filling and to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken, Creamy Chicken, Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken, One-Pan Chicken, Italian Chicken