Name: Marry Me Chicken
Total time: 40
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients: ½ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, sliced thin, plus 2 tablespoons oil; 4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed; ¾ teaspoon table salt; ½ teaspoon pepper; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme; ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes; ¾ cup chicken broth; ¾ cup heavy cream; 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated (1 cup); ¼ cup torn fresh basil

Why This Recipe Works

This dish earned its name for being so delicious it supposedly inspired marriage proposals. Searing the chicken breasts first builds flavorful browning on the meat and leaves behind a fond to anchor the sauce. Chicken broth and heavy cream are reduced down to a velvety base, and a generous handful of grated Parmesan thickens it further while also adding savory depth. Sliced sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and a pinch of pepper flakes bring tang and gentle heat, and a topping of fresh basil keeps the finish bright. We developed our recipe to yield a generous amount of sauce for spooning over pasta or sopping up with bread.

Before You Begin

Serve with pasta or crusty bread.

Instructions

Heat 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sprinkle 4 trimmed chicken breasts with ¾ teaspoon table salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Cook chicken until golden brown and chicken registers 160 degrees, 5 to 7 minutes per side. Transfer to plate.

Add ½ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, sliced thin; 3 minced garlic cloves; 1 tablespoon chopped thyme; and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes to fat left in skillet and cook over medium heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in ¾ cup chicken broth and ¾ cup heavy cream, scraping up any browned bits, and bring to simmer. Cook until sauce is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Off heat, whisk in 1 cup grated Parmesan until incorporated.

Return chicken and any accumulated juices to skillet. Cook over medium heat, spooning sauce over chicken, until heated through, about 2 minutes. Slice chicken, if desired. Sprinkle with ¼ cup torn basil and serve.