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Flavorful Marry Me Chicken Thighs Recipe with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

marry me chicken thighs - featured image

This Marry Me Chicken Thighs recipe features juicy bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs simmered in a rich, creamy sun-dried tomato sauce that is both tangy and indulgent. Ready in under 40 minutes, it’s perfect for cozy dinners and impressing guests with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 pounds)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup packed, chopped sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed recommended)
  • 1 cup chicken broth (240 ml)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 25 g)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (dried basil, oregano, thyme blend)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Fresh basil, roughly chopped for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the 6 chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking.
  3. Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the hot oil. Cook undisturbed for 6-8 minutes until the skin is golden and crisp. Flip and cook the other side for 4-5 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. Lower heat to medium. Add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet. Stir frequently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not burnt.
  5. Pour in 1 cup chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan bottom. Let simmer for 3-4 minutes to reduce slightly.
  6. Lower heat to medium-low. Add 1 cup heavy cream and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until cheese melts and sauce thickens slightly. Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning and optional 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes.
  7. Nestle the seared chicken thighs back into the sauce, skin-side up. Cover with a lid or foil and let simmer gently for 10-12 minutes until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C).
  8. Remove lid, spoon sauce over the chicken, and sprinkle fresh basil if using. Let rest for 2 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure crispy skin. Do not crowd the pan when searing chicken; cook in batches if necessary. Simmer sauce gently to avoid cream separation. If sauce thickens too much, add a splash of broth or cream. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. For vegetarian, omit chicken and use vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: Marry Me Chicken, chicken thighs, sun-dried tomato sauce, creamy chicken, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food