Description
Ina Garten’s marry me chicken creates a romantic, flavor-packed dinner with tender chicken breasts coated in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce. Simple ingredients blend beautifully, promising a meal you’ll want to share with someone special.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 8 oz/225 g each)
- 45 ml (3 tbsps) extra-virgin olive oil (divided)
- 180 ml (¾ cup) low-sodium chicken broth
- 120 ml (½ cup) heavy cream
- 75 g (½ cup) chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 30 g (⅓ cup) finely grated Parmesan
- 15 g fresh thyme leaves
- 2 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
- 5 g crushed red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Fresh basil (torn, for serving)
Instructions
- Prep Skillet: Heat olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Pat chicken breasts dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Sear Chicken: Cook chicken for 5 minutes per side until golden-brown, creating a crisp exterior. Transfer to a plate, reserving any juices.
- Create Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium, add remaining oil, and sauté garlic, thyme, and red pepper flakes for 60 seconds until fragrant, releasing their intense flavors.
- Develop Sauce: Introduce chicken broth, sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, stirring to form a luxurious, velvety sauce. Adjust seasoning and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Bake Dish: Return chicken to the skillet, nestling pieces into the sauce. Transfer to a preheated 190°C (375°F) oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until chicken reaches 74°C (165°F) internal temperature.
- Finish and Serve: Allow chicken to rest for 3 minutes, then plate and lavishly coat with the sun-dried tomato cream sauce. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve piping hot.
Notes
- Chicken Selection: Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts of uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to accurately check chicken’s internal temperature, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked protein.
- Sauce Consistency: Stir sauce continuously and maintain gentle simmer to prevent separation and achieve smooth, velvety texture without curdling.
- Resting Technique: Allow chicken to rest after cooking to redistribute juices, ensuring moist and tender meat with maximum flavor retention.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 27 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg