“Marry Me” Chicken
This “Marry Me” Chicken is tender, pan-seared chicken simmered in a creamy sun-dried tomato parmesan sauce with garlic and herbs. It’s rich, cozy, and weeknight-friendly, but it feels like a restaurant dinner. Serve it over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice so nothing goes to waste.
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Nutrition (per serving)
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
“Marry Me” Chicken is one of those dinners that feels fancy with almost no effort. The chicken is golden and juicy, and the sauce is creamy, garlicky, and packed with sun-dried tomato flavor that tastes rich and cozy. It’s fast enough for a weeknight, but it’s also the kind of dish people ask you to make again.
Ingredient Highlights
Sun-dried tomatoes bring a concentrated sweet-tangy flavor that makes the sauce taste bold without needing a long simmer. Parmesan melts into the cream for a silky, savory finish, while garlic and Italian seasoning build that classic comfort-food base. A splash of broth loosens the sauce and lifts up the browned bits from the pan, which is where a lot of the flavor comes from.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, and optional garlic powder.
Season the chicken well so every bite is flavorful.
Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden. Remove to a plate.
Sear the chicken until golden, then remove to a plate.
Step 3: Reduce heat to medium. Add butter, then garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
Cook garlic and sun-dried tomatoes until fragrant.
Step 4: Stir in tomato paste (if using), Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes. Cook 30 seconds.
Bloom the seasonings and tomato paste for deeper flavor.
Step 5: Pour in chicken broth and scrape up browned bits from the pan. Simmer 2 minutes.
Add broth and scrape the pan to capture all the flavor.
Step 6: Add heavy cream and parmesan. Stir until smooth and slightly thickened.
Stir in cream and parmesan until the sauce turns silky.
Step 7: Return chicken to the skillet and simmer 5 to 7 minutes until cooked through. Add spinach at the end if using and let it wilt.
Simmer the chicken in the sauce until cooked through.
Step 8: Spoon sauce over chicken, garnish with basil, and serve hot.
Garnish with basil and serve hot with plenty of sauce.
Tips for Best Results
Pound chicken to an even thickness so it cooks evenly and stays juicy. Do not rush the sear, because a golden crust adds flavor and helps the sauce taste deeper once you deglaze the pan. If the sauce thickens too much, loosen it with a splash of broth, and if it seems thin, let it simmer a few minutes longer before serving.
Pound the chicken to an even thickness so it cooks evenly and stays juicy.
Variations
For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and add extra spinach for balance. If you want more heat, increase the red pepper flakes. For a pasta-friendly sauce, stir in an extra splash of broth so it coats noodles easily.
Do not rush the sear, a golden crust adds flavor and depth.
What to Serve With It
This dish is perfect over pasta, mashed potatoes, rice, or cauliflower mash. A simple green salad or roasted broccoli on the side helps balance the richness, and crusty bread is ideal for soaking up the extra sauce.
Serve it over pasta, mashed potatoes, rice, or cauliflower mash, with salad or roasted broccoli and crusty bread for the extra sauce.
FAQ
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes. Thighs stay extra juicy and work perfectly in this sauce.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes. Reheat gently on the stove and add a splash of broth to loosen the sauce.
How do I store leftovers?
Store up to 4 days in the fridge. Reheat slowly to keep the sauce creamy.
Recipe
“Marry Me” Chicken
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb (680 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional, deeper flavor)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan
- 2 cups fresh spinach (optional)
- Fresh basil, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Step 1: Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, and optional garlic powder.
- 2
Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden. Remove to a plate.
- 3
Step 3: Reduce heat to medium. Add butter, then garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
- 4
Step 4: Stir in tomato paste (if using), Italian seasoning, and optional red pepper flakes. Cook 30 seconds.
- 5
Step 5: Pour in chicken broth and scrape up browned bits from the pan. Simmer 2 minutes.
- 6
Step 6: Add heavy cream and parmesan. Stir until smooth and slightly thickened.
- 7
Step 7: Return chicken to the skillet and simmer 5 to 7 minutes until cooked through. Add spinach at the end if using and let it wilt.
- 8
Step 8: Spoon sauce over chicken, garnish with basil, and serve hot.
Nutrition Facts
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.