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Creamy Marry Me Chicken Recipe with Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

creamy marry me chicken - featured image

A rich and tender chicken dish simmered in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce, perfect for cozy dinners and quick weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces / 170 grams each), pounded slightly for even cooking
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (or a mix of oregano and thyme)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
  • ½ cup chicken broth or white wine
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
  • Optional: 1-2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Lightly pound them to about ½-inch thickness for even cooking. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried Italian herbs. Let sit for about 10 minutes.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering (about 2 minutes). Add the chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C). Remove chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
  3. Lower heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Pour in chicken broth or white wine, scraping the browned bits off the pan bottom with a wooden spoon. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced.
  5. Stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce gently simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened to a creamy consistency. Add fresh lemon juice if desired.
  6. Stir in chopped fresh basil and a pinch of red pepper flakes if using. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  7. Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning sauce over the top. Let warm together for 1-2 minutes so the chicken absorbs some sauce flavor.
  8. Serve immediately, spooning extra sauce over the chicken. Garnish with additional basil if desired.

Notes

Pound chicken breasts to even thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dryness. Use medium-high heat for a golden crust. Watch garlic carefully to avoid burning. Simmer sauce gently to prevent cream separation. Add fresh basil at the end for brightness. If sauce thickens too much, thin with broth or cream. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with vegan cheese or nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy marry me chicken, sun-dried tomato sauce, easy chicken recipe, comfort food, quick dinner, creamy chicken, weeknight meal