High-Protein Marry Me Chicken Skillet
High-Protein Marry Me Chicken Skillet combines juicy, lean chicken breasts with a rich, creamy sauce featuring sun-dried tomatoes, fresh garlic, parmesan cheese, and aromatic herbs. This easy one-skillet meal delivers bold flavors and a satisfying protein boost, perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.
- Author: Maria
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein
- 2 large skinless, boneless chicken breasts
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (preferably oil-packed)
- 3/4 cup heavy cream or 3/4 cup Greek yogurt (for a lighter option)
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves chopped or 1 tablespoon Italian herb blend
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for about 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Build the Sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for one minute to release their flavor. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Enrich with Cheese and Herbs: Gradually sprinkle the parmesan cheese into the sauce while stirring to melt smoothly. Add fresh basil or Italian herbs and let sauce thicken slightly, about 2-3 minutes.
- Finish Cooking: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Simmer together for a few minutes to meld flavors and keep chicken juicy. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Notes
- Choose evenly thick chicken breasts or pound them to ensure even cooking and juiciness.
- Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for richer flavor and better sauce integration.
- Simmer sauce gently to prevent curdling or separating and allow proper thickening.
- Add fresh herbs at the end for vibrant color and aroma.
- Let the dish rest for a couple of minutes off the heat before serving for best flavor melding.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
Keywords: high-protein chicken, creamy chicken skillet, sun-dried tomato chicken, quick dinner, one-pan meal, healthy comfort food, protein-packed dinner