Description
Baked Marry Me Chicken is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts baked in a rich sauce of cream, white wine, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbs. Topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and basil, this easy-to-make recipe offers a perfect balance of savory and tangy flavors for a comforting meal that serves four.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 4 breasts, roughly 8 oz each)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper to taste
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste (double concentrated)
- 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained if packed in oil
Toppings
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 small handful fresh basil, sliced thin
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F and position the oven rack in the top third to ensure optimal baking heat distribution.
- Prepare Chicken: Arrange the chicken breasts side-by-side in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Season them evenly with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to infuse flavor into the meat.
- Make Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together heavy cream, chicken broth, dry white wine, tomato paste, cornstarch, dried oregano, minced garlic, and crushed red pepper flakes until smooth. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes to add texture and tang.
- Pour Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce evenly around the chicken breasts in the baking dish, ensuring the sauce surrounds but does not cover the tops completely for even cooking.
- Bake Chicken: Bake the dish uncovered for 30-35 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Check early as ovens and chicken thickness can vary to avoid overcooking.
- Finish and Rest: Remove the dish from the oven. Stir the sauce gently and spoon it over the chicken breasts. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese and sliced basil on top. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute before serving. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.
Notes
- Use double concentrated tomato paste for a richer tomato flavor.
- If sun-dried tomatoes are packed in oil, drain them well before adding to avoid excess oil in the sauce.
- Resting the chicken after baking helps keep it juicy and tender.
- This dish pairs well with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the creamy sauce.
