Description
Creamy Marry Me Chicken Thighs is a delicious one-pan dish featuring tender chicken thighs seared to perfection and simmered in a rich sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, Parmesan, and herbs. It’s flavorful and easy to make, perfect for a romantic dinner.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1 to 1 1/2 pounds)
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt, plus more to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup dry white wine (optional, or substitute chicken broth)
- 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup coarsely chopped sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil, drained)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season them generously with salt and fresh black pepper. Dredge the chicken lightly in the all-purpose flour.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the floured chicken thighs and sear for about 5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside. It doesn’t need to be cooked through at this stage.
- Build the sauce base: Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the dry white wine (if using) and deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits.
- Simmer the sauce: Stir in the chicken broth, heavy cream, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low to maintain a simmer.
- Finish the sauce and chicken: Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until it’s completely melted into the sauce. Stir in the fresh lemon juice. Return the seared chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Simmer for 4-5 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the sauce has slightly thickened.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve immediately, perhaps over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
- This recipe is inspired by the popular ‘Marry Me Chicken’ trend for its irresistible flavor.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and omit Parmesan.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control spiciness.
- Wine can be skipped for a non-alcoholic version using extra chicken broth.