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Creamy Marry Me Chicken with Tuscan Herb Sauce

creamy marry me chicken - featured image

A comforting and indulgent creamy chicken dish with a rich Tuscan herb sauce featuring garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh herbs. Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for cozy dinners or casual entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz / 170 g each)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (for searing)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried)
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to your heat preference)
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil preferred)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)
  • ½ cup chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Fresh basil leaves, torn, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then season both sides generously with salt and pepper. (Approx. 5 minutes)
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy-bottom skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp ~165°F / 74°C). Remove chicken and set aside tented with foil. (Approx. 12 minutes)
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes to the same pan. Stir frequently and cook until fragrant and garlic is lightly golden, about 1-2 minutes. (Approx. 2 minutes)
  4. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and stir to combine. Warm through for about 1 minute. (Approx. 1 minute)
  5. Pour in ½ cup chicken broth and stir, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen browned bits. Let broth reduce slightly for 2-3 minutes. (Approx. 3 minutes)
  6. Add 1 cup heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce thickens slightly, about 4-5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. (Approx. 5 minutes)
  7. Stir in 2 tablespoons unsalted butter until melted for a silky finish. Return chicken breasts to the pan and spoon sauce over them to coat. Warm together for 2 minutes. (Approx. 3 minutes)
  8. Remove from heat and sprinkle torn fresh basil leaves on top. Serve immediately with your favorite sides. (Approx. 2 minutes)

Notes

If sauce gets too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen it. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F without overcooking. Fresh herbs brighten the sauce and add aroma. Deglaze pan well to capture browned bits for flavor. Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to taste for desired heat level. Dairy-free option: substitute heavy cream with canned coconut milk and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. For gluten-free, ensure chicken broth is gluten-free.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken, marry me chicken, Tuscan herb sauce, easy chicken recipe, garlic chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, comfort food, quick dinner