The Original Marry Me Chicken

Directions

  1. 1Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375°F.
  2. 2In a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon of oil.
  3. 3Generously season chicken with salt and black pepper.
  4. 4Cook the chicken, turning halfway through, until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side.
  5. 5Transfer the chicken to a plate.
  6. 6In the same skillet over medium heat, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil.
  7. 7Stir in garlic, thyme, and red pepper flakes.
  8. 8Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  9. 9Stir in broth, tomatoes, cream, and Parmesan.
  10. 10Season with salt.
  11. 11Bring the mixture to a simmer.
  12. 12Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet.
  13. 13Transfer the skillet to the oven.
  14. 14Bake chicken until cooked through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 165°F, 10 to 12 minutes.
  15. 15Arrange chicken on a platter.
  16. 16Spoon sauce over the chicken.
  17. 17Top with basil.

Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 0.75 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 0.5 cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
  • 0.25 cup finely grated Parmesan
  • Torn fresh basil, for serving

Equipment

large ovenproof skilletinstant-read thermometerplatter

Tips

  • Searing the chicken before baking creates a golden-brown crust and keeps the chicken moist and flavorful.
  • The rendered chicken fat from searing forms the base of the sauce, adding depth.
  • Toasting garlic, fresh thyme, and red pepper flakes brings out their fragrance and color.
  • Let the sauce reduce slightly to meld and thicken before adding the chicken back.
  • For a thicker sauce to serve over pasta, consider using a 1:1 ratio of heavy cream to broth and doubling the Parmesan, or adding a roux (olive oil and flour) to thicken the sauce.
  • You can substitute sun-dried tomato pesto for whole sun-dried tomatoes.
  • If using chicken cutlets, you can skip the baking phase to make the recipe quicker.
  • If the sauce is too thick upon reheating, add a splash of water to thin it out.