Description
A rich, creamy, and tangy chicken dish featuring sun-dried tomatoes and a luxurious sauce that comes together in just 30 minutes. It’s an easy weeknight dinner that feels fancy enough for a date night.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large or 4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 680g)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (about 150g, packed in oil)
- 1.5 cups heavy cream (360ml)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (120ml, low-sodium)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (50g)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Optional: 2 cups fresh spinach, 8oz sliced mushrooms, 1 tablespoon capers
Instructions
- Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet; stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up brown bits. Simmer for 2 minutes.
- Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Return chicken to the skillet, spooning sauce over it. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from heat. Stir in fresh basil. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve immediately over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
Do not use half-and-half if you want the thick, luxurious sauce; full-fat heavy cream is recommended. Grate your own Parmesan cheese to avoid anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of broth or milk. If too thin, simmer longer. This recipe does not freeze well due to the dairy content.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast wit
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 35
Keywords: Marry Me Chicken, creamy sun-dried tomato chicken, 30 minute dinner, easy weeknight meals, chicken breast recipes, creamy pasta sauce, date night dinner