Might as well get proposed to with this Juicy, Tender Chicken in Creamy, Flavorful Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce
The combination of savory, creamy and tangy flavors in this recipe for Marry Me Chicken come together to yield nothing short of irresistible. Juicy, seared chicken breasts are protected in a saucy mixture of garlic and fresh thyme, sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan cheese, all of it rich and velvety. And finished in the oven until the chicken is tender and the sauce thickened just so, it is a crowd-pleaser. Serve it over pasta, or over mashed potatoes, or with crusty bread, for a hug of a meal that will make anyone fall in love — I guarantee it.
I love making this dish when I crave something special but don’t feel like doing a lot of work. Creamy sauce, tender chicken, and aromatic herbs are pure comfort food bliss. It’s a one-pan marvel that’s easy enough for a weeknight meal while still being fancy enough for company. Are you ready to prepare a feast that will end in a proposal? Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unbelievably flavorful: Rich, creamy heirloom tomato sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and Parmesan is the perfect irresistibly flavorful meeting of flavors.
- Juicy, Tender Chicken: Because we sear the chicken first, it traps moisture and achieves a lovely golden-brown crust.
- One-Pan Wonder: So little clean-up and so much flavor — in the same pan!
- Ideal for Special Occasions: Date night, a family dinner — this dish will make everyone swoon.
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Key Ingredients
For the Chicken:
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: The hero of the dish, these provide tender, juicy meat that’s ideal for soaking up the rich sauce.
Olive Oil: For searing the chicken and providing a slight fruity note.
Garlic: Similar to onion, garlic provides a hearty, pungent flavor to the sauce.
Fresh Thyme: Adds an herby, earthy note that keeps the richness of the sauce in check.
For the Sauce:
Chicken Broth: Serves as the base for the sauce, adding richness and savoriness.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Contributes a sweet-tart taste and chewy texture that balances well against the creamy sauce.
Heavy Cream: Adds a rich, silky mouthfeel
Parmesan Cheese: Provides a salty, nutty flavor and contributes to thickening the sauce.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Gives a gentle heat that takes the overall flavor up a notch.
Fresh Basil: Yanked and scattered on top for freshness.
Full ingredient list with amounts and instructions is located in the recipe card below
How to Make Marry Me Chicken
Sear the Chicken
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Liberally season both sides of the boneless, skinless chicken breasts with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. When the oil is hot and shimmery, add the chicken breasts to the pan. Cook without moving for 4-5 minutes per side, or until a golden-brown crust develops. Transfer the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Pro Tip: Avoid crowding the pan — if your skillet is too small, sear the chicken in batches to get a more even you’re-golden brown crust.
Prepare the Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same skillet, if needed. Lower the heat to medium and add the minced garlic, fresh thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring continuously to avoid burning the garlic.
Add in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon—that stuff is flavor-packed and will help develop the sauce!
Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Give the sauce a minute to get syrupy and combined, 3 min max.
Reintroduce the Chicken and Complete in Baking Oven
Nestle the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet, spooning some of the sauce over top each to make sure it’s well coated.
Bring the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and registers 165°F (74°C) internal temperature. The sauce should be thick and bubbly, the chicken juicy and tender.
Serve and Garnish
Remove the skillet from oven and allow it to rest a few minutes. For burst of freshness and vibrant color, sprinkle torn fresh basil on top. Serve the chicken with lots of sauce on pasta, mashed potatoes, or with crusty bread to mop up every tasty mouthful.
Tips for Success
Pat the Chicken Dry: As with (almost) all proteins, you want the chicken breasts dry before seasoning and searing, both to achieve a better sear and make sure the chicken doesn’t stick.
Don’t Rush the Searing: Make sure the skillet is hot before adding the chicken to get a good, golden-brown crust.
Thickening The Sauce: If your sauce is too thick, add a splash of chicken broth to slim it down. If it’s too thin, simmer it for another few minutes on the stovetop to reduce and thicken.
Serving Suggestions
This Marry Me Chicken is great with many sides. Here are some suggestions for finishing your meal:
Pasta: Toss with fettuccine, spaghetti or penne for an Italian-inspired meal that warms the belly.
Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are great for soaking up the rich sauce.
Rice: Serve the chicken and sauce over fluffy white or brown rice, for a heartier option.
Crusty Bread: Serve with a side of crusty bread or garlic bread for scooping into the creamy sauce.
Steamed Vegetables: Pair it with steamed asparagus, green beans or broccoli for a well balanced meal.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezing: You can freeze this dish! Transfer cooled chicken and sauce to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat.)
To reheat: Reheat in a skillet over medium, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. If the sauce is too thick, a splash of chicken broth or cream will loosen it up.
Variations and Modifications
Chicken Thighs: Swap out chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs, for juicier meat.
Spicier Sauce: For a more spiced-up effect, add more crushed red pepper flakes — or on top of this, a few dashes of hot sauce.
Herbed Chicken: Swap out fresh herbs like rosemary or sage for an herb-forward flavor.
Dairy-Free: Substitute coconut milk or a dairy-free cream alternative for the heavy cream for a lighter, dairy-free sauce.
Final Thoughts
This is Marry Me Chicken, so the name really says it all—one bite and you’re falling in love! And I tell you, tender juicy chicken + rich cheesy sauce + tangy sweet sun-dried tomatoes = perfection. Prepare it for a special occasion, dating night, or simply because you’re inclined to do something delicious.
Savor every decadent, savory bite! 🍗❤️
Marry Me Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil divided
- 4 8-oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- to taste Kosher salt
- to taste freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan
- to garnish torn fresh basil for serving
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Once the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts to the skillet. Cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate.
- Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add chopped garlic, fresh thyme leaves, and crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan. Stir to combine and let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning some of the sauce over each piece. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 2-3 more minutes until heated through.
- Garnish with torn fresh basil and serve the chicken with its sauce over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.
Notes
Nutrition