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Creamy Marry Me Chicken Thighs Recipe Easy Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

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A rich and creamy chicken thigh dish with a tangy sun-dried tomato sauce, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or cozy date nights. This recipe features bone-in chicken thighs simmered in a luscious, flavorful sauce that’s indulgent yet simple to make.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs / 680 g)
  • Salt and pepper, to season
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil (about 80 g)
  • 1 cup chicken broth (240 ml)
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream (180 ml)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (25 g)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (dried basil, oregano, thyme blend)
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Handful of fresh basil or parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to get the skin crispy. Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Once shimmering, add chicken thighs skin-side down. Cook without moving for 6-7 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy. Flip and cook the other side for 4-5 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
  3. Lower heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the pan and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned, stirring constantly.
  4. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes and stir for 1-2 minutes to blend flavors and soften the tomatoes slightly.
  5. Pour in 1 cup chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan bottom with a wooden spoon or spatula.
  6. Stir in Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes if using. Let the broth reduce by half, about 5 minutes, until slightly thickened.
  7. Reduce heat to low and stir in 3/4 cup heavy cream and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan. Stir continuously until the sauce is smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes. Taste and adjust salt or pepper if needed.
  8. Nestle the browned chicken thighs back into the sauce, skin-side up. Cover loosely and simmer on low heat for 10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C).
  9. Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley over the top for garnish.

Notes

If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of broth or cream to loosen it. Do not rush the browning step as it is key for flavor. Keep heat moderate when adding cream to prevent curdling. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. Can use skinless thighs but may lose some crispiness. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to maintain sauce texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken thighs, marry me chicken, sun-dried tomato sauce, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, creamy tomato sauce, bone-in chicken thighs

Find it online: https://piperplate.com/creamy-marry-me-chicken-thighs-recipe-easy-sun-dried-tomato-sauce/