Description
Creamy marry me chicken showcases tender chicken breasts in a luxurious sun-dried tomato sauce that promises romantic Italian-inspired flavors. Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs elevate this simple yet irresistible dish you’ll want to share with someone special.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken breasts (8 oz or 226 g), boneless, skinless
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup (60 ml) chicken broth, low-sodium
- ¼ cup (60 ml) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream
- ¼ cup (25 g) Parmesan, finely grated
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) thyme leaves, fresh
- 1 tsp (5 ml) red pepper flakes, crushed
- kosher salt, to taste
- black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
- basil, fresh, torn (for garnish)
Instructions
- Chicken Preparation: Pat chicken breasts dry and season thoroughly with salt and black pepper on both surfaces.
- Searing: Heat olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until hot, then sear chicken for 5-6 minutes per side until golden-brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Aromatic Base: Reduce heat and sauté garlic, thyme, and red pepper flakes for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, releasing their intense flavors.
- Sauce Development: Deglaze skillet with chicken broth, scraping browned bits, then incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, stirring until sauce smooths and thickens.
- Final Assembly: Return chicken to skillet, nestling pieces into creamy sauce, simmering 2-3 minutes to reheat and infuse flavors.
- Serving: Garnish with fresh basil, plate over pasta, rice, or crusty bread, generously spooning additional sauce around the chicken.
Notes
- Sear for Flavor Perfection: Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning to achieve a gorgeous golden-brown crust that locks in maximum flavor and creates restaurant-quality texture.
- Temperature is Critical: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches exact 165°F internal temperature, preventing overcooking while ensuring food safety.
- Sauce Consistency Matters: Stir sauce continuously and watch for slight thickening, which signals perfect creamy texture without breaking or separating ingredients.
- Pan Selection Impacts Taste: Cast-iron skillet recommended for superior heat distribution and developing deeper, richer caramelized flavors during cooking process.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking, Sautéing, Simmering
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 48 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg