Description
Creamy Marry Me Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes features tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich and savory creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, smoked turkey bacon, and melted plant-based cheese. This flavorful, easy-to-make dish is perfect served over pasta, rice, or greens and offers a comforting yet luxurious meal experience suitable for any weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Protein
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, chopped
Sauce Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup plant-based heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 teaspoon natural gelling agent (such as agar or carrageenan)
- 1/2 cup shredded plant-based cheese (such as mozzarella style or smoked gouda style)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the chicken. Cook each side for about 5-6 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to keep warm.
- Cook the Smoked Turkey Bacon: In the same skillet, add chopped smoked turkey bacon pieces. Cook them until crisp, releasing their smoky flavor into the pan. This step builds the foundational taste for the sauce.
- Sauté Garlic and Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Add minced garlic to the bacon drippings and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Then toss in chopped sun-dried tomatoes, letting them soften and infuse the oil with their tangy richness.
- Create the Creamy Sauce: Pour in plant-based heavy cream and vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural). Stir well to combine. Sprinkle the natural gelling agent gradually while stirring to thicken the sauce. Let it simmer gently for 3-4 minutes as the sauce develops.
- Melt in Plant-Based Cheese and Fresh Basil: Reduce the heat, then stir in shredded plant-based cheese and freshly chopped basil leaves. Mix until the cheese melts fully and the sauce becomes smooth and velvety.
- Return Chicken to Skillet: Place the cooked chicken breasts back into the skillet, spooning the creamy sauce over each piece to coat fully. Allow the chicken to heat through for an additional 2 minutes, absorbing all the flavors.
Notes
- Use room temperature chicken to ensure even cooking and prevent drying out.
- Do not overcrowd the pan so each piece browns nicely for better texture.
- Simmer sauce gently on low heat to develop deeper flavors without curdling the cream.
- Fresh basil is essential to add brightness and balance the rich sauce.
- Choose quality, thick-cut smoked turkey bacon to amplify smoky taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: creamy chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, smoked turkey bacon, plant-based cheese, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, easy dinner, gluten free
