Description
Marry Me Chicken is a rich and creamy skillet chicken dish loaded with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. The chicken breasts are seared to golden perfection and then simmered in a luscious creamy sauce infused with Italian seasoning and fresh basil, creating a comforting and flavorful meal that pairs perfectly with pasta or mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 2 pounds
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Sauce
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon chicken flavor “Better Than Bouillon” or 1 chicken bouillon cube
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 (7-ounce) jar sun-dried tomatoes, drained and roughly chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ¼ cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
To Serve (Optional)
- Cooked pasta or mashed potatoes
Instructions
- Season and brown the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season all over with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the chicken breasts and cook undisturbed for about 5 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Make the sauce: Reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic to the same skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the heavy cream, chicken stock, chicken bouillon, ¼ cup of the grated Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, black pepper, red pepper flakes if using, and the remaining ½ teaspoon kosher salt. Whisk everything together until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
- Add the chicken and cook: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook uncovered until the sauce thickens slightly and the chicken is cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F reached on an instant-read thermometer, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Top the chicken with fresh basil leaves and the remaining ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese. If desired, sprinkle additional red pepper flakes for extra heat. Serve the Marry Me Chicken over cooked pasta or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce.
Notes
- Patting the chicken dry before seasoning helps achieve a nice golden sear.
- If sun-dried tomatoes are packed in oil, be sure to drain them to avoid a greasy sauce.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken is perfectly cooked and safe to eat.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use a vegan Parmesan alternative.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to your spice preference or omit entirely for a milder dish.
