Might as well get proposed to with this Juicy, Tender Chicken in Creamy, Flavorful Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce
The combination of savory, creamy and tangy flavors in this recipe for Marry Me Chicken come together to yield nothing short of irresistible. Juicy, seared chicken breasts are protected in a saucy mixture of garlic and fresh thyme, sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan cheese, all of it rich and velvety. And finished in the oven until the chicken is tender and the sauce thickened just so, it is a crowd-pleaser. Serve it over pasta, or over mashed potatoes, or with crusty bread, for a hug of a meal that will make anyone fall in love — I guarantee it.
I love making this dish when I crave something special but don’t feel like doing a lot of work. Creamy sauce, tender chicken, and aromatic herbs are pure comfort food bliss. It’s a one-pan marvel that’s easy enough for a weeknight meal while still being fancy enough for company. Are you ready to prepare a feast that will end in a proposal? Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unbelievably flavorful: Rich, creamy heirloom tomato sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and Parmesan is the perfect irresistibly flavorful meeting of flavors.
- Juicy, Tender Chicken: Because we sear the chicken first, it traps moisture and achieves a lovely golden-brown crust.
- One-Pan Wonder: So little clean-up and so much flavor — in the same pan!
- Ideal for Special Occasions: Date night, a family dinner — this dish will make everyone swoon.
Key Ingredients
For the Chicken:
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: The main act, these give you tender, juicy meat that’s designed to soak up the hearty sauce.
Olive Oil: To sear the chicken, and lend it a little fruity inscape.
Garlic: As with onion, garlic provides a strong, pungent flavor to the sauce.
Fresh thyme: Brings an herby, earthy note and balances the richness of the sauce.
For the Sauce:
Chicken Broth: The base of the sauce, chicken broth for richness and savoriness.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Adds a sweet-tart flavor and chewy texture to counteract the creamy sauce.
Holly: Contributes rich, silky mouthfeel
Parmesan Cheese: For a salty, nutty flavor and help thicken the sauce
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: A gentle spice | compliment.
Fresh Basil: Torn, scattered on top, for freshness.
You’ll find a complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
How to Make Marry Me Chicken
Sear the Chicken
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
Liberally season both sides of the boneless, skinless chicken breasts with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. When the oil is hot and shimmery, add the chicken breasts to the pan. Cook without moving for 4-5 minutes per side, or until a golden-brown crust develops. Transfer the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Pro Tip: Avoid crowding the pan — if your skillet is too small, sear the chicken in batches to get a more even you’re-golden brown crust.
Prepare the Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same skillet, if needed. Lower the heat to medium and add the minced garlic, fresh thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring continuously to avoid burning the garlic.
Add in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon—that stuff is flavor-packed and will help develop the sauce!
Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Give the sauce a minute to get syrupy and combined, 3 min max.
Reintroduce the Chicken and Complete in Baking Oven
Nestle the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet, spooning some of the sauce over top each to make sure it’s well coated.
Bring the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and registers 165°F (74°C) internal temperature. The sauce should be thick and bubbly, the chicken juicy and tender.
Serve and Garnish
Remove the skillet from oven and allow it to rest a few minutes. For burst of freshness and vibrant color, sprinkle torn fresh basil on top. Serve the chicken with lots of sauce on pasta, mashed potatoes, or with crusty bread to mop up every tasty mouthful.
