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The Original Marry Me Chicken Recipe

4.4 from 98 reviews

This Original Marry Me Chicken recipe features tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts cooked in a creamy sun-dried tomato and Parmesan sauce with hints of garlic, thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes. The dish is finished with fresh basil, making it a flavorful and elegant meal perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Sauce

  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

Garnish

  • Torn fresh basil, for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Brown Chicken: Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375°F (190°C). In a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Generously season the chicken breasts with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook the chicken in the skillet, turning halfway through, until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer the browned chicken to a plate.
  2. Prepare Sauce: In the same skillet over medium heat, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add finely chopped garlic, fresh thyme leaves, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth, add finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, and finely grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt to taste. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
  3. Combine and Bake: Return the browned chicken breasts along with any accumulated juices back to the skillet with the sauce. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake until the chicken is cooked through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 165°F (74°C), about 10 to 12 minutes.
  4. Serve: Arrange the cooked chicken breasts on a serving platter. Spoon the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce over the chicken. Garnish with torn fresh basil leaves before serving for a fresh and vibrant finish.

Notes

  • Use an ovenproof skillet for seamless transfer from stovetop to oven.
  • If you don’t have fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme can be substituted.
  • Ensure chicken breasts are of even thickness for uniform cooking; pound them lightly if necessary.
  • Fresh basil adds a fragrant finish but can be substituted with fresh parsley if unavailable.
  • For a lower-fat version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, though the sauce will be less rich.

Keywords: Marry Me Chicken, creamy chicken recipe, sun-dried tomato chicken, easy chicken dinner, baked chicken breasts, one skillet chicken, Parmesan chicken