Creamy Garlic Marry Me Chicken Recipe
Introduction
Creamy Garlic Marry Me Chicken is a rich, flavorful dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Tender chicken breasts are smothered in a garlicky, creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan, making for a comforting and indulgent meal.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat the chicken dry and slice thick breasts into thinner cutlets if needed. Season both sides with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika.
- Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden, then transfer it to a plate.
- Step 3: Reduce the heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet, then stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Step 5: Stir in the heavy cream, parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and red pepper flakes. Simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Step 6: Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon sauce over the top. Simmer on medium-low for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F and the sauce is creamy.
- Step 7: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve warm with pasta, rice, potatoes, or vegetables.
Tips & Variations
- For extra tenderness, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before seasoning.
- Swap sun-dried tomatoes for roasted red peppers if preferred.
- Add a splash of white wine with the chicken broth for deeper flavor.
- Use spinach or mushrooms in the sauce for added vegetables.
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a little broth or cream if the sauce has thickened too much. Avoid microwaving at high heat to keep the sauce creamy.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work well and stay juicy. Adjust cooking time slightly as thighs may take a bit longer to reach 165°F.
Is this recipe spicy?
The dish has a mild kick from the red pepper flakes, but you can adjust the amount to make it more or less spicy to suit your palate.
Print
Creamy Garlic Marry Me Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Creamy Garlic Marry Me Chicken is a rich and flavorful skillet dish featuring tender boneless chicken breasts simmered in a luscious garlic cream sauce with Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh herbs. Perfect for an elegant yet easy dinner served over pasta, rice, or vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If the breasts are thick, slice them into thinner cutlets for even cooking. Season both sides evenly with kosher salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika to build a flavorful base.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken in the hot oil and sear, cooking for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until the chicken is golden brown and releases easily from the pan. Transfer the seared chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add the unsalted butter to the same skillet and melt. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant but not browned, forming the aromatic foundation of the sauce.
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape up all the browned bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet. These bits add rich flavor to the sauce.
- Add Cream and Flavorings: Stir in the heavy cream, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and red pepper flakes. Simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Simmer Chicken in Sauce: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet. Spoon the creamy sauce over the chicken to coat. Simmer on medium-low heat for 6 to 8 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), and the sauce becomes rich and creamy.
- Finish and Serve: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed with extra salt or pepper. Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley on top for a fresh, vibrant finish. Serve the creamy garlic chicken warm alongside pasta, rice, roasted potatoes, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- For best results, use good quality heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese to enhance the sauce’s richness.
- If sun-dried tomatoes are oil-packed, drain excess oil before chopping and adding to the sauce.
- The recipe is flexible: substitute fresh basil for parsley based on preference.
- You can prepare this dish in advance by cooking the chicken and preparing the sauce separately, then combining and warming before serving.
- Ensure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: creamy garlic chicken, parmesan chicken, sun-dried tomato chicken, easy chicken dinner, Italian chicken recipes
