Welcome to your new favorite weeknight dinner! This irresistible Marry Me Chicken In Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce is a true showstopper that’s surprisingly easy to make. Featuring perfectly seared chicken breasts bathed in a rich, velvety sauce infused with savory sun-dried tomatoes, fragrant garlic, and creamy Parmesan, it’s pure comfort. You’ll love this gourmet-tasting dish for its simplicity and the impressive flavors it brings to any table.
Why You’ll Love This Marry Me Chicken
- Quick & Simple: This recipe comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for busy evenings.
- Restaurant-Quality Taste: Impress your family and guests with a dish that tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant.
- Family-Friendly: Even picky eaters love the rich, creamy sauce and tender chicken.
- Dietary Friendly: It’s naturally low-carb, keto-friendly, and gluten-free, fitting many dietary needs.
- Easily Customizable: Adjust spice levels or swap out ingredients to suit your personal preferences.
Ingredients
Gather these fresh ingredients to create an unforgettable Marry Me Chicken In Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce. You’ll appreciate how simple yet impactful each component is in building a truly spectacular dish.
For the Chicken:
- 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt (to taste)
- Freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or other neutral oil
For the Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- ¾ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream (at room temperature)
- ½ cup grated fresh parmesan cheese (at room temperature)
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (preferably packed in oil)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (more or less to taste)
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (more or less to taste)
Serving Suggestions (Optional):
- Chiffonaded fresh basil
- Additional grated fresh parmesan cheese
Notes & Substitutions
Always use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best texture and flavor in your creamy sauce. If using sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drain them well before adding. For even cooking, pound your chicken breasts to a uniform thickness. Remember to let your heavy cream and parmesan come to room temperature to prevent the sauce from curdling. Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes to your desired level of heat. Chicken cutlets are a great option if you need an even faster cooking time.
Equipment
Having the right tools makes cooking this creamy chicken dish a breeze.
- Large oven-safe skillet (cast iron works beautifully)
- Cutting board
- Meat tenderizer or rolling pin (optional)
- Paper towels
- Tongs
- Whisk or silicone spatula
- Cheese grater
- Internal meat thermometer
- Serving plates
Instructions
Creating this delicious Marry Me Chicken In Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce is straightforward. Follow these steps for tender chicken and a rich, flavorful sauce every time.
Prepare and Sear Chicken:
Place the 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts on your cutting board. Trim any excess fat or sinew, then pound the chicken flat until all breasts are roughly the same size and thickness. This ensures even cooking.
Pat the chicken breasts dry on all sides using paper towels. Once dried, generously season the tops with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Flip the chicken breasts over and sprinkle salt and pepper on the other side as well.
Place a large skillet on the stovetop over medium-high heat. When the pan is warm, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Continue heating until the oil is hot and shimmery, swirling the skillet to distribute the oil.
Once the oil is hot, carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts in the skillet. Sear the chicken breasts for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until they are lightly golden in spots. This creates a delicious crust.
When the chicken is lightly golden, carefully transfer the seared chicken breasts to a clean plate and set them aside. Do not drain the skillet; you’ll use those flavorful bits for the sauce. Note that the chicken should not be fully cooked through at this point.
Make the Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce:
Preheat your oven to 375° Fahrenheit. Adjust oven racks as needed so the skillet can sit comfortably in the center.
Return the skillet to the stovetop and reduce the heat to medium-low. When the skillet has cooled slightly, add 2 tablespoons of minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for 30 to 60 seconds, stirring often, until it is just fragrant. Be careful not to burn it.
When the garlic is fragrant, add ¾ cup of low-sodium chicken broth to the skillet. Stir to incorporate the broth, making sure to scrape up any browned bits of chicken or garlic that may be stuck to the bottom of the skillet. This deglazing step adds incredible depth of flavor to your creamy sun-dried tomato sauce.
Move the skillet to a cool stovetop burner or remove it from the heat entirely. Let the skillet cool for 2 to 3 minutes, then add ½ cup of room-temperature heavy cream. Whisk the heavy cream into the chicken broth until it is fully incorporated and smooth.
Once the cream and broth are incorporated, sprinkle ½ cup of room-temperature grated fresh parmesan cheese into the mixture. Gently whisk the parmesan into the liquid until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth.
After the cheese has melted, return the skillet to the burner over medium-low heat. Continue stirring for 1 to 2 minutes or until the skillet returns to full temperature, but do not boil.
Add 1 cup of drained sun-dried tomatoes, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, and ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the cream sauce. Gently stir the ingredients together until they are well blended. Taste the sauce and adjust the salt, pepper, oregano, and/or red pepper flakes as desired to perfect your Marry Me Chicken In Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce.
Bring the sauce to a slow simmer over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent it from burning or sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Finish the Chicken:
When the sauce begins to simmer, return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet. Flip the chicken breasts 3 to 4 times each to thoroughly coat all sides in the flavorful sun-dried tomato cream sauce.
Once the chicken is well coated, place the skillet in the preheated oven. If using a leave-in meat thermometer probe, insert the probe into the thickest part of one chicken breast before placing the skillet in the oven.
Bake the dish for approximately 13 minutes. After 13 minutes, check the doneness of the chicken with an internal meat thermometer. Continue cooking the chicken as needed, checking the internal temperature frequently, until the thickest part of the chicken reaches 160° Fahrenheit. For safety, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends cooking chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F.
When the target temperature is reached, carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Spoon some of the delicious sauce from the skillet up and onto the tops of the chicken breasts, then set the skillet aside.
Allow the chicken to rest in the skillet for 5 minutes. During this resting period, the chicken will continue to cook residually, reaching the food-safe internal temperature of 165° Fahrenheit. This also helps the juices redistribute, ensuring a tender and moist result.
After 5 minutes, transfer the finished Marry Me Chicken to serving plates. Top the chicken generously with the remaining sun-dried tomato cream sauce from the skillet. Garnish with chiffonaded fresh basil and additional grated fresh parmesan cheese, if desired.
Serve your incredible Marry Me Chicken In Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce immediately with mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, or other sides of your choice. Enjoy!
Pro Tips for Success
Achieve perfect results every time with these helpful tips for your Marry Me Chicken:
- Quality Parmesan: Always use freshly grated, good quality parmesan cheese. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce gritty or prevent it from melting smoothly. Understanding the impact of anti-caking agents on shredded cheese can help achieve a smoother sauce.
- Oil-Packed Tomatoes: Opt for sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil. They have a richer flavor and softer texture compared to dried varieties.
- Even Chicken Thickness: Pound your chicken breasts to a uniform thickness, about ¾-inch. This ensures they cook evenly and prevents some parts from drying out while others are still undercooked.
- Dairy Temperature: Bring your heavy cream and parmesan cheese to room temperature before adding them to the skillet. Cold dairy can cause the sauce to curdle or become lumpy.
- Don’t Overcook: Chicken breast can dry out quickly. Use an internal meat thermometer to monitor the temperature and remove the chicken promptly when it reaches 160°F.
- Rest Your Chicken: Allowing the chicken to rest for 5 minutes after baking is crucial. It finishes cooking to 165°F and allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a more tender and moist final dish.
Serving Suggestions & Variations
This versatile Marry Me Chicken pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides, making it a complete and satisfying meal.
Serve this delectable dish over a bed of al dente pasta, creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. For a balanced meal, pair it with roasted asparagus, steamed green beans, or a fresh garden salad.
Feel free to customize this recipe! You can substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a richer flavor, or even salmon for a seafood twist. Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to suit your personal spice preference – add more for a kick or less for a milder taste. If you’re looking for a slightly lighter sauce, you can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, though it may be less rich. For completely different cooking methods, explore dairy-free versions or slow cooker adaptions of this creamy chicken dish; you can find those in other recipes on our site!
Nutrition Information
This Marry Me Chicken In Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce provides a wholesome and satisfying meal. Please note that these values are approximate and can vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | 1 serving |
| Calories | 457 cal |
| Protein | 55 g |
| Fat | 21 g |
| Saturated Fat | 8 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.03 g |
| Cholesterol | 173 mg |
| Sodium | 434 mg |
| Potassium | 1538 mg |
| Total Carbs | 13 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Net Carbs | 10 g |
| Vitamin A | 640 IU |
| Vitamin C | 11 mg |
| Calcium | 155 mg |
| Iron | 3 mg |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make Marry Me Chicken in a slow cooker? Yes, you can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker! While the searing steps might be skipped, you can often find dedicated slow cooker Marry Me Chicken recipes that provide specific instructions for that method.
- Why is it called “Marry Me Chicken”? The name has two popular theories. Some say it’s so incredibly delicious that anyone who tastes it will immediately want to propose marriage. Others suggest it’s because the flavors of the ingredients “marry” together perfectly in the rich sauce.
- Why is my marry me sauce thin? The desired consistency for this creamy sun-dried tomato sauce is luscious, not overly thick. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can simmer it a bit longer to reduce, or whisk in a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tsp cold water) towards the end. More parmesan can also help thicken it.
Conclusion
This Marry Me Chicken In Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce truly lives up to its legendary name. It’s an irresistible dish that perfectly balances ease of preparation with gourmet flavor. You’ve learned how to transform simple ingredients into a creamy, savory masterpiece that will delight everyone at your table. Don’t hesitate to make this delicious recipe part of your regular meal rotation. We can’t wait for you to try this flavorful Marry Me Chicken – please share your experience and let us know how much you loved it in the comments below!
Marry Me Chicken In Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Trim chicken if needed, then pound chicken breasts flat until they are all the same size and thickness.
- Pat chicken breasts dry on all sides with paper towels, then generously season both sides with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil, and heat until hot and shimmery.
- Place seasoned chicken breasts in the hot skillet and sear for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until lightly golden.
- Carefully transfer seared chicken breasts to a plate and set aside, as they should not be fully cooked; preheat oven to 375° Fahrenheit.
- Return skillet to stovetop, reduce heat to medium-low, add minced garlic, and sauté for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
- Add low-sodium chicken broth to the skillet, stirring to incorporate and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom.
- Move skillet to a cool burner for 2 to 3 minutes, then add heavy cream and whisk until fully incorporated.
- Sprinkle grated fresh parmesan cheese into the mixture and gently whisk until the cheese is completely melted.
- Return skillet to burner over medium-low heat and continue stirring for 1 to 2 minutes until it reaches full temperature.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes to the cream sauce; gently stir until blended, then taste and adjust seasonings.
- Bring the sauce to a slow simmer over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- When the sauce begins to simmer, return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, flipping them to coat all sides in the sauce.
- Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 13 minutes, then check the chicken's internal temperature and continue cooking as needed until it reaches 160° Fahrenheit.
- Carefully remove the skillet from the oven and spoon sauce up and onto the tops of the chicken breasts.
- Allow chicken to rest in the skillet for 5 minutes, during which it will cook residually to a food-safe internal temperature of 165° Fahrenheit.
- After resting, transfer chicken to serving plates, top with remaining sauce, and garnish with chiffonaded fresh basil and additional grated fresh parmesan cheese if desired.
- Serve the marry me chicken immediately with desired sides.