Marry Me Chicken Parmesan (Printable)

Tender chicken cooked in a rich, creamy tomato sauce with a fine Parmesan topping.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1.3 to 1.5 pounds)
02 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Sauce

05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
08 - 4.2 ounces sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced
09 - 1 cup chicken stock (gluten-free if needed)
10 - ¾ cup heavy cream
11 - 2 ounces freshly grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

→ Garnish (Parmesan Snow)

13 - 1 ounce finely grated or microplaned Parmesan cheese
14 - Fresh basil leaves (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides evenly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts until golden brown, approximately 4 to 5 minutes per side, then remove from skillet and set aside.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes to skillet; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add sliced sun-dried tomatoes to skillet and cook an additional minute to release flavors.
05 - Pour in chicken stock, scraping up browned bits from skillet bottom. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
06 - Stir in heavy cream and 2 ounces grated Parmesan cheese. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer.
07 - Nestle chicken back into sauce and simmer uncovered for 5 to 8 minutes, spooning sauce over chicken until fully cooked and sauce thickens.
08 - Swirl in 1 tablespoon unsalted butter for added gloss and richness.
09 - Plate chicken and spoon sauce generously. Dust each serving with finely grated Parmesan cheese to create a snow-like effect. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks restaurant-fancy but comes together in under 45 minutes, so you can impress without stress.
  • The sauce is rich and tangy with just enough heat to keep things interesting, and it doubles as the best bread-dipping vehicle.
  • That Parmesan snow finish is pure drama and makes every plate feel like a gift.
02 -
  • Don't skip drying the chicken before seasoning, moisture on the surface will steam instead of sear and you'll miss that golden crust.
  • If your sauce looks too thick, splash in a bit more stock, if it's too thin, let it simmer another minute or two uncovered.
  • Use a microplane for the Parmesan snow, the fine, fluffy texture is what makes the presentation so stunning.
03 -
  • Let the chicken rest on the counter for 10 minutes before cooking so it sears evenly instead of shocking the pan with cold meat.
  • Taste the sauce before plating and adjust the salt, the Parmesan adds a lot so you might not need as much as you think.
  • If you're making this for guests, prep the sauce ahead and sear the chicken right before serving so everything comes together hot and fresh.
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