Marry Me Chicken Parmesan (Printable)

Tender chicken cooked in rich sun-dried tomato sauce, topped with finely grated Parmesan for an elegant touch.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (21-24 oz)
02 - 1 tsp kosher salt
03 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
04 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ Sauce

05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 tsp dried oregano
07 - ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
08 - 4 oz sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced
09 - 1 cup chicken stock (gluten-free if needed)
10 - ¾ cup heavy cream
11 - 2 oz freshly grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter

→ Garnish (Parmesan Snow)

13 - 1 oz 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 black pepper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden brown and nearly cooked through, then transfer to a plate.
03 - Reduce heat to medium in the same skillet. Add minced garlic, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add drained sliced sun-dried tomatoes and cook for an additional 1 minute.
05 - Pour in chicken stock, scraping up any browned bits from the skillet. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
06 - Stir in heavy cream and 2 ounces of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Bring to a gentle simmer.
07 - Nestle chicken breasts back into the skillet. Simmer uncovered for 5 to 8 minutes, spooning sauce over the chicken occasionally until fully cooked and sauce thickens.
08 - Swirl in 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter to add richness and sheen to the sauce.
09 - Transfer chicken to serving plates. Spoon sauce on top and dust each portion liberally with finely grated Parmesan to mimic snow. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It feels indulgent and restaurant-quality, but comes together in your everyday skillet without any fuss.
  • The sun-dried tomatoes add a depth that makes people ask for the recipe before they've finished eating.
  • That dramatic Parmesan snow garnish turns a simple weeknight dinner into something worth remembering.
02 -
  • Don't skip patting the chicken dry—wet chicken steams instead of sears, and that one step makes the difference between good and restaurant-quality.
  • If your cream looks grainy when you add it, your heat was too high; turn it down immediately and stir gently, and it'll usually come back together.
  • That Parmesan snow is not just decoration—it adds one more layer of savory depth and texture that changes everything.
03 -
  • Use a microplane for the Parmesan snow—a box grater makes it clump, but a microplane creates that airy, elegant dusting that looks like you care.
  • If you're cooking for someone you're trying to impress, prep everything ahead and just do the searing and simmering when they arrive; the smell of garlic and cream simmering in a skillet is half the seduction.
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