This Marry Me Chicken recipe is a rich and flavorful dish featuring juicy, golden-browned chicken breasts simmered in a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and a touch of heat from red pepper flakes. The dish is baked to perfection and garnished with fresh basil, making it perfect for a romantic dinner or an impressive meal for any occasion. It’s said this dish is so delicious it could inspire a marriage proposal—hence the name!
Ingredients:
- 3 large chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Sear the Chicken:
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Place the chicken in the hot skillet and cook for about 5 minutes per side until each side is golden brown. Once done, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
3. Make the Sauce:
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add the thyme, red pepper flakes, chicken broth, and heavy cream, stirring continuously for about 5 minutes as the sauce thickens slightly. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and grated parmesan cheese until well combined.
4. Return Chicken to the Skillet:
Remove the skillet from the heat and place the seared chicken breasts back into the sauce, spooning some of the sauce over the top of the chicken to ensure they’re well-coated.
5. Bake:
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
6. Garnish and Serve:
Once baked, remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle with additional parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves. Serve the chicken warm, with plenty of sauce to spoon over each serving.
Tips:
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes:
Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor and tenderness. If using dry-packed tomatoes, soak them in warm water for about 10 minutes to soften. - Serving Suggestions:
Pair this creamy chicken with pasta, mashed potatoes, or a simple side of sautéed vegetables for a complete meal. The sauce is perfect for spooning over a starch! - Add a Kick:
If you like more heat, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce. - Thicker Sauce:
If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can simmer it for a few extra minutes before returning the chicken to the skillet. Alternatively, stir in a small amount of cornstarch slurry to thicken it up.
This Marry Me Chicken is an elegant, restaurant-worthy meal that’s easy to make but sure to impress—perfect for a special date night or family dinner!
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