Creamy Garlic Marry Me Chicken Recipe
Introduction
Creamy Garlic Marry Me Chicken is a rich and flavorful dish that’s sure to impress. Tender chicken breasts are simmered in a luscious garlic-parmesan cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh herbs. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 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
- Step 1: Pat the chicken dry and slice thick breasts into thinner cutlets if needed. Season both sides with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika.
- Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden, then transfer it to a plate.
- Step 3: Reduce the heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet, then stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Step 5: Stir in the heavy cream, parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and red pepper flakes. Simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Step 6: Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon sauce over the top. Simmer on medium-low for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165°F and the sauce is creamy.
- Step 7: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve warm with pasta, rice, potatoes, or vegetables.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in olive oil and Italian seasoning for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Swap sun-dried tomatoes with roasted red peppers for a different twist.
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for juicier meat.
- Add a splash of white wine when deglazing the pan in step 4 for deeper flavor.
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
Storage
Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to keep the sauce creamy. Avoid overheating to prevent the cream from separating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?
It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken breasts for even cooking and the best texture. If using frozen, thaw them completely before cooking.
Can I make this dish dairy-free?
You can substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream and use a dairy-free cheese alternative. Keep in mind the flavor and texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
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Creamy Garlic Marry Me Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Creamy Garlic Marry Me Chicken is a luscious and flavorful dish featuring tender, pan-seared chicken breasts smothered in a rich, creamy garlic sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, parmesan cheese, and a hint of red pepper flakes. This comforting meal is perfect for dinner and pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or vegetables.
Ingredients
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 slice thicker pieces into thinner cutlets if necessary. Season both sides evenly with kosher salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Sauté garlic: Reduce heat to medium. Add unsalted butter to the skillet, then stir in the minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Deglaze skillet: Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet. This adds depth to the sauce.
- Make the creamy sauce: Stir in the heavy cream, freshly grated parmesan cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and red pepper flakes. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes, or until it begins to thicken.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet. Spoon the creamy sauce over the chicken and simmer on medium-low heat for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the sauce is rich and creamy.
- Finish and serve: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley. Serve warm alongside pasta, rice, potatoes, or your favorite vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- For an extra kick, increase the red pepper flakes to taste.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- Sun-dried tomatoes add a concentrated flavor; soak them in warm water if very dry before chopping.
- This dish pairs well with a light green salad or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Creamy garlic chicken, sun-dried tomato chicken, parmesan chicken recipe, easy creamy chicken dinner, one pan chicken skillet
