Marry Me Chicken with Sun Dried Tomatoes
This marry me chicken with sun dried tomatoes is creamy, dreamy, and supposedly proposal-orthy. Tender chicken breasts simmer in a rich Parmesan cream sauce with tangy sun dried tomatoes, garlic, and Italian herbs. Ready in 30 minutes but tastes like a special occasion.
Marry Me Chicken with Sun Dried Tomatoes
Ingredients
Method
- Pound chicken to even 3/4-inch thickness. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (165°F). Remove to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add butter and garlic; sauté 30 seconds.
- Add sun dried tomatoes and cook 1 minute.
- Pour in broth, scraping up the browned bits. Simmer 2 minutes.
- Stir in cream, Parmesan, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Return chicken to the pan, spoon sauce over, and simmer 2 minutes.
- Garnish with basil and serve immediately.
Why You’ll Love It
- One pan. Single skillet, easy cleanup.
- 30 minutes. Faster than delivery.
- Creamy dream sauce. Parmesan cream + sun dried tomatoes.
- Date-night worthy. Elegant enough to impress.
- Versatile. Serve over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.
Why It Works
Searing the chicken builds the flavor foundation (browning + fond in the pan). Sun dried tomatoes are flavor bombs — concentrated sugars and deep umami. The sauce balances richness with cream, Parmesan, broth, red pepper flakes, and fresh basil.
Key Ingredients
- Chicken: 4 breasts (6 oz each), pounded to even thickness.
- Sun dried tomatoes: 3/4 cup oil-packed, drained and sliced.
- Cream: 1 cup heavy cream.
- Parmesan: 3/4 cup freshly grated.
- Broth: 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth.
Tips
Pound the chicken to even thickness so it cooks through evenly. Don’t overcook — pull it at 165°F. Use oil-packed sun dried tomatoes for the best flavor. Freshly grated Parmesan melts much better than pre-shredded.
Variations
- Chicken thighs: swap in boneless, skinless thighs.
- Mushrooms: add sliced mushrooms with the garlic.
- Spinach: stir in a few handfuls of fresh spinach at the end.
What to Serve With
Serve over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes, with crusty bread for the sauce and a simple green salad on the side.
Storage
To store: refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days. To reheat: warm gently on the stovetop with a splash of cream.
FAQs
Why is my chicken dry?
It was overcooked — use a thermometer and pull it at 165°F.
Can I use milk instead of cream?
Cream gives the best texture, but half-and-half works in a pinch.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes — store and reheat gently so the sauce stays silky.
