Description
Ultimate Marry Me Chicken is a flavorful one-skillet dish featuring tender, golden-brown chicken breasts simmered in a rich, creamy Parmesan and sundried tomato sauce, infused with herbs and a touch of spice. Perfect for an impressive yet simple dinner, this recipe delivers endless flavor with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 6 tbsp all-purpose flour (King Arthur flour recommended)
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded to even thickness)
Cooking Fats
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature)
Seasonings and Sauce
- 3 garlic cloves, minced (fresh preferred)
- 1/4 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp chili flakes
- 1/4 tsp oregano
- 1/3 cup chopped sundried tomatoes
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp fresh basil leaves (chopped)
Instructions
- Season and Dredge Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper. Pound the chicken to an even thickness if necessary. Coat each breast in all-purpose flour and shake off any excess.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Combine by swirling the pan, then add the floured chicken breasts in batches if needed. Brown the chicken on each side for 4-5 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside, keeping covered to retain warmth.
- Sauté Garlic and Deglaze: In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant, scraping up browned bits from the pan bottom. Pour in chicken stock to deglaze, stirring with a wooden spoon to loosen any stuck-on bits.
- Create Creamy Sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low, add heavy cream, and stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Simmer gently for a couple of minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Season with chili flakes, thyme, and oregano for layered flavor.
- Combine and Simmer: Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt and pepper if needed. Stir in chopped sundried tomatoes. Return the browned chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Let simmer for several minutes to allow the chicken to warm through and the sauce to thicken further.
- Finish and Serve: Remove skillet from heat. Sprinkle fresh chopped basil over the dish before serving warm, ideally over pasta or rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese to enhance sauce flavor and texture.
- Make sure to pound chicken breasts evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
- If chicken breasts are thick, consider butterfly slicing to reduce cooking time.
- The sauce can be adjusted with extra chili flakes for more heat or fresh herbs for brightness.
- Serve with your favorite type of pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
