Description
The Original Marry Me Chicken is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring seared chicken breasts cooked in a luscious sauce made with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh thyme, and Parmesan cheese. Finished in the oven, this recipe promises tender, juicy chicken with a rich and slightly spicy sauce that’s perfect for a comforting yet elegant weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (chicken thighs can be substituted for more juiciness)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (sea salt as an alternative)
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (avocado oil as a substitute)
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped (or garlic powder for convenience)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (dried thyme can be used)
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (omit for milder flavor)
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth (vegetable broth as a vegetarian option)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes (fresh tomatoes can be used)
- 1 cup heavy cream (coconut cream as a dairy-free substitute)
- 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (nutritional yeast as vegan alternative)
- 1 cup torn fresh basil (parsley as a replacement)
Instructions
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place the chicken in the skillet and sear for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and nicely caramelized.
- Prepare the Sauce: After removing the seared chicken from the skillet, add the finely chopped garlic, fresh thyme leaves, and crushed red pepper flakes to the hot pan. Sauté these aromatics for about 1 minute until fragrant. Then, stir in the chicken broth, finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan cheese. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 3-4 minutes to let the sauce thicken slightly and the flavors meld.
- Bake Chicken: Nestle the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet, making sure they are covered by the creamy sauce. Transfer the skillet to an oven preheated to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is cooked through.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and plate each chicken breast. Spoon generous amounts of the creamy, flavorful sauce over the chicken and garnish with torn fresh basil for a bright, fresh finish. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For juicier meat, substitute chicken breasts with boneless chicken thighs.
- Use avocado oil instead of olive oil for a higher smoke point.
- The crushed red pepper flakes can be omitted for a mild flavor.
- Vegetarian and vegan substitutions include using vegetable broth, coconut cream, and nutritional yeast instead of chicken broth, heavy cream, and Parmesan.
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
- Fresh thyme and basil enhance the flavor but can be replaced by dried herbs or parsley if unavailable.
