How to Make the Perfect Marry Me Chicken
Italian-American · Medium · 40 min · 4 servings
Marry Me Chicken is a swoon-worthy skillet dish featuring pan-seared chicken breasts in a luscious sun-dried tomato cream sauce that is so good it just might lead to a proposal. The combination of garlic, parmesan, and fresh herbs creates an unforgettable restaurant-quality meal at home.
Why this recipe works
This Marry Me Chicken recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 40 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 480 calories with 42g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 8 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 4 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 0.5 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil drained
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.75 cup chicken broth
- 0.5 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Sear the Chicken
Season the chicken breasts generously on both sides with salt, pepper, and half of the Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken and set aside.
Step 2: Saute Garlic and Tomatoes
In the same skillet reduce heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 to 2 minutes stirring constantly until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden.
Step 3: Build the Cream Sauce
Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the heavy cream and remaining Italian seasoning and stir to combine. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
Step 4: Add Parmesan and Return Chicken
Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is smooth. Nestle the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet and spoon sauce over the tops.
Step 5: Finish in the Oven
Transfer the skillet to an oven preheated to 375 degrees F and bake for 15 to 18 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- heavy cream → full-fat coconut cream for a dairy-free version
- sun-dried tomatoes → roasted red peppers
- chicken breasts → bone-in chicken thighs for more flavor
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Not patting the chicken dry before searing which prevents a proper golden crust from forming
- Adding parmesan to a boiling sauce which causes it to clump instead of melt smoothly
- Overcrowding the pan when searing which causes the chicken to steam rather than brown
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 480 calories, 42g protein, 10g carbs, 30g fat, 1g fiber.
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