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Marry Me Chicken: The Ultimate 30-Minute Creamy Skillet Meal

This Marry Me Chicken is a restaurant-quality, one-pan wonder featuring tender chicken breasts smothered in a luxurious, sun-dried tomato and Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, it strikes the ideal balance between effortless preparation and gourmet flavor.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American/Italian-Inspired
Calories: 580
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs chicken breasts, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil and chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced for garnish

Equipment

  • Large stainless steel or cast-iron skillet
  • Sharp chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
  • Tongs
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Cheese grater

Method
 

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
  3. Place the chicken in the skillet and sear for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through; remove to a plate and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and red pepper flakes, toasting them for 1 minute.
  6. Pour in the chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to deglaze the pan by scraping up all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom.
  7. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream and dried oregano, allowing the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes.
  8. Whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and thickened.
  9. Return the cooked chicken to the pan and nestle it into the sauce to reheat for 1 minute.
  10. Garnish with fresh basil and serve immediately over pasta, polenta, or crusty bread.

Notes

To ensure the best texture, always grate your Parmesan cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded cheese, which contains anti-caking agents that hinder melting. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a tablespoon of chicken broth or pasta water to thin it out. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stovetop to avoid breaking the cream sauce.