Description

Creamy Garlic Marry Me Chicken is a luscious skillet-cooked dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich garlic cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and a hint of spice. This comforting yet elegant recipe is perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner that pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or vegetables.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

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 and, if they are thick, slice them into thinner cutlets to ensure even cooking. Season both sides generously with kosher salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika to infuse flavor throughout.
Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and sear them for 4 to 5 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
Sauté Garlic: Lower the heat to medium. Add the unsalted butter to the same skillet and melt it. Then add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant but not browned.
Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the chicken broth, using a spoon or spatula to scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. These bits add rich flavor to your sauce.
Create the Cream Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream, grated parmesan cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and red pepper flakes. Let the mixture 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 top, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the sauce is creamy and well blended.
Finish and Serve: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley before serving. This dish pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, potatoes, or steamed vegetables.

Notes

For thicker chicken breasts, slicing into cutlets ensures faster and more even cooking.
Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best flavor and texture in the sauce.
If you prefer less spice, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil can add extra richness; if using dry-packed, soak them in warm water before chopping.
To make this dish lower fat, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: garlic chicken, creamy chicken, marry me chicken, skillet chicken recipe, sun-dried tomato chicken, parmesan chicken, easy dinner recipes