Marry Me Chicken Recipe: One-Skillet Wow Factor
Calories: 480kcal
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts if you insist on fancy sauce from the start)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth (low sodium if you’re watching sodium, okay?)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme (or a few sprigs fresh, we’re flexible)
- 1/4 tsp chili flakes (optional but brave)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved) or a handful of sun-dried for drama
- 2 cups baby spinach (because green stuff is good for you)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional, for a zing)
Instructions
- Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper. Yes, even that little bit of excess salt will pay off later when the sauce sings.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken until golden on both sides, about 3–4 minutes per side. It won’t be fully cooked through yet—that’s okay; we’ll finish it in the sauce.
- Remove chicken and set aside. In the same skillet, add garlic and sauté 30–45 seconds until fragrant. Don’t burn it; burned garlic is the tragedy of the night.
- Pour in chicken broth and scrape up all the tasty browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a simmer.
- Stir in heavy cream, thyme, and chili flakes. Let it bubble gently for 2–3 minutes, then return chicken to the pan.
- Add tomatoes and spinach. Cook until the spinach wilts and the chicken reaches an internal temp of 165°F (74°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, cook until the juices run clear-ish.
- Finish with lemon juice, taste, and adjust salt if needed. Spoon sauce over the chicken and plate with a smile.