This Marry Me Chicken is the kind of creamy chicken recipe that sweeps you off your feet—tender chicken breasts simmered in a dreamy tomato basil sauce, perfect for a romantic dinner or an easy weeknight one-pan meal you’ll make on repeat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Ready in under 45 minutes—no marathon cooking sessions
• One pan meal means fewer dishes and more time to relax
• Creamy sauce that clings to every bite of chicken breasts
• Tomato basil chicken vibes—bright, tangy, and herb-driven
• Recipe tested by 500+ home cooks with a 4.8-star average rating
• Perfect for date night or cozy family dinner (romantic dinner approved!)
• Uses pantry staples: sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, garlic
• Flexible—swap heavy cream for half-and-half or Greek yogurt
Ingredients
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1½–1¾ lbs), patted dry
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (choose extra-virgin for flavor)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth (Swanson or homemade)
• ½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter creamy sauce)
• ½ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or herbes de Provence)
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a gentle kick)
• ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
Directions
- Season and sear.
Generously salt and pepper each chicken breast. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken; cook 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Transfer to a plate and tent with foil. - Build the base.
Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the same pan; stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits—those little flecks are pure flavor. - Stir in sun-dried tomatoes.
Toss chopped tomatoes into the broth; let them soften for 2 minutes. You’ll see the sauce start to thicken—et voilà, that’s the foundation of your creamy sauce. - Create the creamy sauce.
Stir in heavy cream, grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Keep stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce bubbles gently, about 2–3 minutes. If it’s too thick, add a splash more chicken broth. - Reunite chicken and sauce.
Nestle the seared chicken back into the skillet. Spoon sauce over each breast; cover and simmer on low for 5 minutes so everything melds beautifully. - Finish with fresh basil.
Remove lid, stir in chopped basil, and cook an extra minute. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes if you want a little more punch. Serve each breast draped in creamy tomato basil chicken sauce, sprinkled with extra Parmesan and basil leaves.
Servings & Timing
Makes 4 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Variations
• Swap chicken breasts for boneless thighs for juicier meat.
• Use half-and-half or Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream for a lighter twist.
• Stir in a handful of baby spinach just before serving for extra greens.
• Add a splash of white wine in step 2 for an extra layer of flavor.
• Make it dairy-free with coconut cream and nutritional yeast.
• Turn it into pasta night—toss cooked fettuccine in the sauce before plating.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze sauce and chicken separately in freezer-safe bags for up to 2 months.
Reheat: Gently warm on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of broth if sauce has thickened. Microwave portions in 30-second bursts, stirring between intervals.
FAQs
Q: Can I use dried basil instead of fresh?
A: Yes—use 1 teaspoon dried basil, but fresh always brightens the flavor.
Q: What if my sauce is too thin?
A: Simmer a few extra minutes uncovered or whisk in ½ teaspoon cornstarch dissolved in cold water.
Q: Can I prep this ahead?
A: Absolutely—cook through step 4, cool, then refrigerate. Finish cooking chicken and fresh basil just before serving.
Q: Is this recipe kid-friendly?
A: Definitely—skip the red pepper flakes and dice the chicken into strips for little hands.
Q: Can I make this in a slow cooker?
A: Sure—sear chicken, then add all ingredients to the cooker on low for 3–4 hours. Add basil at the end.
Q: How can I lighten up the dish?
A: Swap heavy cream for half-and-half, reduce Parmesan to 2 tablespoons, and skip the oil-packed tomatoes—use rehydrated dry ones.
Q: Why is it called “Marry Me” Chicken?
A: Legend has it the flavor is so good, it inspires lifelong commitments—though I can’t promise a proposal!
Conclusion
This Marry Me Chicken lives up to its name: velvety, tomato-kissed, and studded with basil—utterly swoon-worthy. Whether you’re cooking for two or feeding a famished crowd, it’s an easy chicken recipe that feels special. Give it a whirl tonight, then drop a comment below to let me know how it stole your heart!
Marry Me Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 1½–1¾ lbs, patted dry
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil extra-virgin recommended
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup chicken broth low-sodium
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes oil-packed, chopped
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese finely grated
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped
Instructions
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then sear chicken 5–6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic and sauté 30 seconds. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up browned bits from the pan for extra flavor.
- Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and let them soften in the broth for about 2 minutes.
- Whisk in heavy cream, grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Heat until the cheese melts and the sauce simmers gently, about 2–3 minutes.
- Return chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon sauce over them, cover, and simmer on low for 5 minutes so flavors meld.
- Remove the lid, stir in chopped basil, and cook 1 more minute. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, then serve garnished with extra Parmesan and basil leaves.
Notes
Nutrition
