Easy Marry Me Chicken for a Delicious Dinner Recipe

The Ultimate Easy Creamy Marry Me Chicken in white bowl topped with fresh chopped basil

Easy Marry Me Chicken for a Delicious Dinner Recipe

Juicy, flavorful chicken breasts simmered in a creamy sun-dried tomato and Parmesan sauce with fresh garlic, thyme, and basil

Course Dinner, Main Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 35

Total Time 55

Servings people

Calories 850kcal

Author Savory Thoughts

Equipment

Large skillet or sauté pan; For searing the chicken and preparing the creamy sauce.
Blender For blending the seasoning mixture.
Cutting Board For preparing the chicken, garlic, and herbs.
Sharp knife; For chopping and slicing ingredients.
Measuring Cups and Spoons For measuring ingredients accurately.
Mixing Bowls For seasoning the chicken and reserving the blended mixture.
Kitchen tongs; For flipping and removing the chicken from the skillet.
Wooden spoon or silicone spatula; For stirring the sauce.
Cheese grater; For freshly grating the Parmesan cheese.
Meat thermometer; To ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 tablespoons tomato paste divided
6 fresh thyme sprigs divided
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
8 ounces sun-dried tomatoes chopped
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus more if needed
6 tablespoons neutral oil for cooking
2 tablespoons red pepper flakes divided, or to taste
10 garlic cloves minced
Gonaïves All-Purpose Seasoning as directed below
2 cups Water 1 cup for blending + 1 cup additional
½ tablespoon ground cumin

Instructions

Prepare the Blended Seasoning
In a blender, combine 2 tablespoons of Gonaïves All-Purpose Seasoning or your favorite all-purpose seasoning, garlic cloves 3 thyme sprigs, 1 cup water, 2 tablespoons oil, and the entire 3 tablespoons of tomato paste.
Blend until smooth and well combined.
Pour enough of the mixture over the chicken breasts to coat them thoroughly. Set aside the remaining blended mixture in a separate bowl before it comes into contact with the raw chicken.
Add 1 additional cup of water to the reserved blended mixture and stir well. Set aside.
Sear the Chicken
Heat the remaining 4 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat.
Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook until golden brown on both sides, approximately 3–5 minutes per side, depending on thickness.
Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate. The chicken will finish cooking in the sauce.
Prepare the Creamy Sauce
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of Gonaïves seasoning or your favorite all-purpose seasoning, ½ tablespoon ground cumin, and 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes to the same skillet. Stir for approximately 30 seconds.
Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for about 1–2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Pour in a little of the reserved blended liquid to deglaze the skillet, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Gradually add the remaining blended liquid and stir to combine.
Add the remaining 3 thyme sprigs and allow the sauce to simmer for a few minutes.
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until combined.
Finish the Chicken
Return the chicken breasts and any accumulated juices to the skillet.
Simmer gently until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Stir in the chopped fresh basil. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Serve warm with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or your favorite vegetables.

Notes

Recipe Notes

Blended seasoning: The tomato paste is blended with the thyme, garlic, seasoning, oil, and water to flavor the chicken and form the base of the sauce. I recommend you allow the chicken to marinate for 30 minutes at minimum.

Creamy sauce: Use heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan for a rich, smooth consistency.

Spice level: One tablespoon of red pepper flakes creates noticeable heat. Reduce it if you prefer a milder sauce.

Sun-dried tomatoes: If using oil-packed tomatoes, drain them before adding them to the skillet.

Food safety: Keep the reserved blended mixture separate from raw chicken. If any marinade has touched raw chicken, bring it to a full boil before using it in the sauce.

How to Store and Reheat

Refrigerator: Store leftover Marry Me Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.

Freezer: You can freeze the cooked chicken and sauce for up to 2 months for best quality, although cream-based sauces may separate slightly after thawing.

Reheating: Warm gently in a covered skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or cream if the sauce becomes too thick. Reheat until the chicken reaches 165°F.

Nutrition