Marry Me Chicken Parmesan Snow (Print Version)

Chicken cooked in rich sun-dried tomato sauce, topped with a fine Parmesan dusting.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1.3 to 1.5 lbs)
02 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Sauce

05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
08 - 4 ounces sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and sliced
09 - 1 cup chicken stock (gluten-free if required)
10 - 3/4 cup heavy cream
11 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

→ Garnish

13 - 1 ounce extra finely grated Parmesan cheese (for 'Parmesan Snow')
14 - Fresh basil leaves (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Pat chicken breasts dry and season evenly on both sides with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden brown and nearly cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside on a plate.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes to the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in sliced sun-dried tomatoes and cook for an additional minute to release their flavor.
05 - Pour in chicken stock, scraping the skillet bottom to loosen browned bits. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
06 - Stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer.
07 - Return chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Simmer uncovered for 5 to 8 minutes, occasionally spooning sauce over the chicken, until cooked through and sauce thickens.
08 - Swirl in unsalted butter to enrich and add gloss to the sauce.
09 - Transfer chicken to serving plates, spoon sauce over each piece, then dust generously with finely grated Parmesan to create a 'Parmesan Snow' effect. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like you spent three hours cooking when you actually spent forty minutes.
  • The sauce is naturally gluten-free and rich enough to feel indulgent without being heavy.
  • The Parmesan snow finish transforms a simple weeknight dinner into something restaurant-worthy.
02 -
  • Patting the chicken dry is the secret to getting it golden brown instead of pale and steamed—don't skip this even though it feels tedious.
  • The moment you taste the sauce before the cream goes in, you'll understand why people add sun-dried tomatoes to everything once they discover this ingredient.
  • Microplaning the final Parmesan snow takes thirty seconds but transforms the whole presentation from good to showstopping.
03 -
  • If you want to add a splash of complexity, pour a little dry white wine into the pan along with the chicken stock—it adds brightness and sophistication without extra work.
  • Chicken thighs will stay juicier than breasts if you don't mind the slightly longer cooking time and want to feel more forgiving during dinner prep.
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