If you’re looking for a dish that’s romantic, indulgent, and incredibly easy to make, your search ends here. This Marry Me Chicken in a Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe has become one of my go-to recipes when I want to impress without stressing in the kitchen. It’s creamy, full of sun-dried tomato goodness, and seriously, that sauce just melts in your mouth. Trust me—you’ll want to read through every step because it’s fan-freaking-tastic and totally doable even on a weeknight.

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Why This Recipe Works

Comforting Cream Sauce: The sun-dried tomato cream sauce is silky, tangy, and rich without feeling heavy.
Simple Yet Elegant: You don’t need tons of ingredients, but every one packs a flavorful punch.
Perfectly Cooked Chicken: Pounding the chicken breasts ensures even cooking and juicy bites every time.
Versatile & Customizable: Easily adjust spices and sides to suit your taste buds or dietary needs.

A white pan holds four large, cooked pieces of chicken in creamy orange sauce, filled with small pieces of red tomatoes and green basil leaves. The chicken pieces show a browned, slightly crispy texture and are partly covered by the thick sauce. Around the pan, the white marbled surface has scattered torn pieces of bread, a small wooden bowl with grated cheese, two glasses of white drink, and a few basil leaves. The scene is simple and bright. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Marry Me Chicken in a Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe adds a special element, creating a balanced, flavorful dish. From the garlic that lifts the sauce to the parmesan that brings creaminess and umami, knowing why each component matters helps you get the best results.

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Pounding them to an even thickness is key for even cooking—no more dry edges or undercooked centers.
Salt & Pepper: Simple seasonings that really enhance the natural flavors of the chicken and sauce.
Olive Oil (or Neutral Oil): Used for searing to get that gorgeous golden crust without smoking.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds aromatic depth right at the start of the sauce creation.
Chicken Broth (Low-Sodium): Adds savory flavor and helps deglaze the pan, lifting all those tasty browned bits.
Heavy Cream: Makes the sauce luxuriously creamy and comforting.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated for best meltability and flavor—skip the pre-grated stuff for best results.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes (Oil-Packed): Bring a tangy, slightly sweet bite that elevates the sauce to something extra special.
Dried Oregano: Adds just the right herbaceous note complementing the tomatoes and cream.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Gives the sauce a subtle kick—you can always dial up or back based on your spice tolerance.
Fresh Basil & Extra Parmesan (Optional Garnish): A fresh finish that brightens each bite.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the things I love most about this Marry Me Chicken in a Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Whether you want it spicier, dairy-free, or a bit heartier, small changes can totally transform this dish for your palate or occasion.

Variation: I sometimes swap heavy cream for coconut cream for a dairy-free twist that’s surprisingly delicious.
Spice Level: Increasing the red pepper flakes adds a nice bold kick if you like things a little hotter.
Herb Swap: Fresh thyme or rosemary work beautifully instead of oregano for an earthy flavor.
Vegetable Boost: Toss in some sautéed spinach or mushrooms right before baking for extra veggies.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Marry Me Chicken in a Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe

Step 1: Flatten and Season Your Chicken

I like to start by trimming any uneven bits on the chicken breasts, then pounding them gently with a meat mallet or rolling pin until they’re all about the same thickness. This step is a game-changer for getting juicy, even cooking. Once that’s done, pat them completely dry to get a good sear, and season each side generously with salt and pepper. Don’t skip this seasoning—it’s where a lot of flavor builds.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken Until Beautifully Golden

Heat your skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil. Wait for it to shimmer before adding the chicken—this ensures you get a golden crust without sticking. Sear the breasts for about 3-4 minutes on each side. You’re aiming for a nice golden color, not fully cooked chicken yet. I usually peek under to see those golden spots and don’t move the chicken too often to let that crust develop.

Step 3: Make the Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

Lower the heat to medium-low and toss in your garlic to sauté until fragrant—about 30 to 60 seconds. Add the chicken broth and give the pan a good scrape to lift all those brown bits; trust me, that’s pure flavor gold. Then, take the pan off the heat and let it cool for a couple of minutes before whisking in the room-temp heavy cream and parmesan. This gentle method keeps the cheese silky, preventing clumps.

When everything’s combined, pop the pan back on the burner and stir for another minute or two until it’s heated through. Then stir in your sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes, adjusting seasonings to taste. Bring it slowly to a gentle simmer to marry all those flavors.

Step 4: Bake and Finish the Chicken in the Sauce

Once your sauce is simmering, nestle the chicken breasts back into the skillet, flipping them a few times to coat in that luscious sauce. Then carefully place the skillet in a preheated 375°F oven. If you have a meat thermometer, now’s the time to insert it for peace of mind. Bake for about 13 minutes, then check the internal temperature—you want the thickest part to reach 160°F, and don’t worry, it’ll finish cooking while resting.

After baking, let the chicken rest right in the skillet for 5 minutes. This helps keep it juicy and gives the sauce a chance to thicken and settle.

Pro Tips for Making Marry Me Chicken in a Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe

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Pounding Chicken Evenly: This avoids dry edges and underdone centers—one of the best hacks to a perfect dish.
Room Temp Dairy: Adding cream and parmesan at room temperature prevents the sauce from seizing or curdling.
Use Oil-Packed Sun-Dried Tomatoes: They bring extra richness; I sometimes add a spoonful of the oil to the garlic for another layer.
Resting Time: Don’t skip resting the chicken in the sauce after baking—it keeps the chicken moist and lets flavors deepen.

How to Serve Marry Me Chicken in a Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe

The image shows four golden-brown cooked chicken pieces in a white pan, covered with a creamy orange sauce. The sauce has visible small red tomato pieces and chopped green herbs mixed in, adding texture and color contrast. The chicken pieces are partially submerged in the thick sauce, with the surface showing some char marks and pepper seasoning. The background and surface around the pan are white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I always sprinkle fresh chiffonaded basil on top—it adds a bright, herbal note that cuts through the richness beautifully. A little extra freshly grated parmesan also never hurts and makes the dish feel restaurant-quality.

Side Dishes

This chicken pairs perfectly with roasted asparagus, garlic mashed potatoes, or even simple buttered pasta to soak up every last drop of that sun-dried tomato cream sauce. When I have the time, I also serve it alongside garlic green beans or a crisp arugula salad for some freshness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve this dish over a bed of creamy polenta or on a platter with colorful roasted vegetables arranged around the chicken. Drizzle a little extra sauce over everything and garnish with microgreens or edible flowers to make the presentation really pop. It’s always a hit with guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keeping the sauce separate helps if you want to reheat the chicken first and add fresh sauce later to preserve creaminess.

Freezing

Freezing Marry Me Chicken is possible but I recommend freezing the chicken breasts and sauce separately. The cream sauce can sometimes separate when thawed, so you’ll want to reheat it gently and stir well. Use freezer-safe containers and try to consume within 2 months for best quality.

Reheating

Reheat the chicken gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of chicken broth or cream to bring back creaminess. Avoid microwaving straight from the freezer as that can dry out the chicken and curdle the sauce.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this Marry Me Chicken in a Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will work well and add extra juiciness and flavor. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly—it may take a couple of minutes longer in the oven to reach the proper internal temperature.
What’s the best way to soften sun-dried tomatoes if they’re dry-packed instead of oil-packed?

If you’re using dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes, soak them in warm water for about 10 minutes before chopping and adding them to the sauce. This will rehydrate them, adding tenderness and flavor similar to the oil-packed version.
How can I thicken the sauce if it feels too thin?

If you prefer a creamier, thicker sauce, sprinkle in extra freshly grated parmesan or whisk in a little cream cheese at room temperature. Alternatively, you can mix a small amount of cornstarch or flour with cold water and stir it in gradually, cooking it a couple minutes longer to thicken up.
Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, it’s naturally gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free chicken broth and check that your parmesan cheese doesn’t contain additives with gluten. It’s a great option for a delicious date night without gluten worries.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Definitely! Swap heavy cream for coconut cream or cashew cream, and use nutritional yeast or a dairy-free parmesan alternative to maintain the creamy texture and cheesy flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Marry Me Chicken in a Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s comforting yet fancy enough for guests or a cozy night in. It has taught me the power of a good sauce and the magic of simple, quality ingredients coming together. I hope when you try it, you get that same feeling—whether you’re cooking for yourself, family, or that special someone. Have fun with it, make it yours, and enjoy every creamy, tomato-packed bite!