Description
A quick and flavorful one-pan chicken dish with a rich, creamy sun-dried tomato sauce, ready in about 30 minutes. Perfect for weeknights or special dinners.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds / 680g)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (50g), oil-packed preferred
- 1 cup chicken broth (240ml), low-sodium recommended
- 3/4 cup heavy cream (180ml)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (50g)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional add-ins: fresh basil (a handful, roughly chopped), 2 cups spinach, cooked mushrooms
- Optional substitutions: chicken thighs instead of breasts, coconut cream instead of heavy cream, nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan
Instructions
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Mince garlic and roughly chop sun-dried tomatoes. Grate Parmesan cheese if not pre-grated.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper.
- Add chicken to the skillet once oil shimmers. Cook undisturbed for 4 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook another 3-4 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove chicken and set aside.
- Lower heat to medium. Add minced garlic to skillet and stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and sauté for 1 minute.
- Pour in chicken broth and scrape browned bits from the pan. Simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Stir in heavy cream, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Simmer gently for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- Remove skillet from heat and gradually whisk in grated Parmesan cheese. Add a splash of broth or cream if sauce is too thick.
- Return chicken breasts to skillet and spoon sauce over them. Warm through for 1-2 minutes. Add fresh basil or spinach now if desired to wilt slightly.
- Serve hot with extra sauce spooned over the top. Pairs well with pasta, mashed potatoes, or a green salad.
Notes
[‘Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure proper browning; cook in batches if needed.’, ‘Use fresh garlic for best flavor; avoid jarred garlic.’, ‘Pat chicken dry before cooking to get a good sear.’, ‘Simmer sauce gently to prevent cream from separating or cheese clumping.’, ‘Add Parmesan cheese off heat and whisk gradually.’, ‘If sauce thickens too much, loosen with chicken broth or cream.’, ‘Make sauce ahead and reheat gently; cook chicken fresh for best texture.’, ‘For dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast.’]
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 38
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken, creamy sun-dried tomato sauce, one-pan chicken, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, weeknight meal