Description
Culinary magic unfolds with this sun-dried tomato chicken recipe, blending Mediterranean flavors into a simple yet elegant dish. Creamy sauce and tender chicken create a restaurant-quality meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Herbs and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Base and Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil), chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by generously coating both sides with a blend of salt, pepper, and garlic powder, ensuring even seasoning coverage.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature until shimmering. Carefully place chicken breasts and cook for 6-7 minutes per side, developing a golden-brown exterior and reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium and melt butter. Add minced garlic, sautéing until aromatic and translucent, approximately 1-2 minutes. Introduce chopped sun-dried tomatoes, allowing them to soften and release their intense flavor for 2-3 minutes.
- Deglaze the skillet by pouring chicken broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up caramelized bits from the pan’s surface. Incorporate heavy cream, stirring continuously to create a smooth, cohesive sauce. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until sauce slightly thickens.
- Enhance the sauce by stirring in grated Parmesan cheese, dried basil, and oregano. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed to balance flavors.
- Gently return chicken to the skillet, nestling pieces into the creamy sauce. Spoon sauce over chicken and allow to simmer for an additional 5 minutes, enabling the meat to reheat and absorb the rich, herbaceous flavors. Optional: Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a vibrant finishing touch.
Notes
- Choose chicken breasts of uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help achieve a perfect golden-brown exterior and enhance flavor absorption.
- Avoid overcrowding the skillet when cooking chicken to maintain high heat and create a crispy, caramelized surface.
- Opt for oil with a high smoke point like avocado or grapeseed as alternatives to olive oil for better searing results.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for a more intense and authentic flavor compared to pre-packaged cheese.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt to reduce calories without sacrificing creaminess.
- Transform this dish into a low-carb meal by serving over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of traditional pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 54 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg