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
