Oh, you know those nights when all you crave is something that tastes like a hug? That’s exactly when I reach for this recipe. Sun-dried tomatoes have a way of adding instant warmth and depth to a dish, and let me tell you, this Creamy Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is truly a showstopper for weeknights. Growing up, meals that simmered gently on the stove always signaled that everyone was coming together, and this chicken captures that feeling perfectly. It’s rich, wildly flavorful, and comes together so easily in one skillet. I’m Sophia Reed, and as a Family Cooking Specialist here at Sena Recipes, I can promise you this dish lives up to the flavor it promises without keeping you slaving away in the kitchen. It’s comfort food, dressed up just a tiny bit!
Why This Creamy Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Works for Families
I love serving this dish because it hits that sweet spot between feeling special and being genuinely easy. Honestly, this Creamy Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is exactly what busy parents need in their rotation. It’s hearty, uses simple ingredients, and delivers a huge flavor payoff.
- It’s pure comfort food that kids (and adults who are large children, like my husband) instantly devour.
- The richness of that cream sauce cuts through beautifully with the tang of the slow-simmered tomatoes.
- It manages to feel elegant even when thrown together fast!
Quick Prep and Cook Times for Weeknights
You read that right—we are talking 30 minutes total time here! Because it’s all done in one pan, cleanup is a breeze. This means you can move from chaos to cozy on the table in less time than it takes to decide on takeout. It absolutely fits the bill for those nights when you need easy family dinner recipes.
Gathering Ingredients for Creamy Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Building this amazing Creamy Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes starts with getting the right components ready. I always lay everything out before I turn on the stove—trust me, when the garlic hits the hot oil, you move fast! We need about 750 grams of chicken, and you can totally use thighs if you want maximum flavor, or breasts if you prefer that leaner cut. Don’t forget your staples like salt and pepper, but the stars here are definitely the sun-dried tomatoes and that gorgeous, finely shredded Parmesan.
We need those flavorful strips, drained, and we want to save some of that oil from the jar because it’s liquid gold for searing the chicken. The sauce relies on a punch of garlic, a splash of wine (or broth, we’ll talk about that in a minute!), some chicken stock, heavy cream for the richness, and Dijon mustard for that little bit of necessary bite.
Ingredient Notes and Smart Substitutions
When it comes to the fats, here’s a little secret: If your jar of sun-dried tomatoes didn’t have much oil left, just grab 2 tablespoons of regular olive oil. It works just fine! Also, please listen to me on this—make sure that Parmesan is very finely shredded, almost dusty. If you use the pre-grated powder, it’ll clump instead of melting smoothly into your sauce, and we don’t want that chunky texture in our dreamy sauce. Dijon mustard is also key for tang, but if you absolutely can’t find it, you can skip it, though the sauce will be missing just a little something special.
If you’re planning ahead for healthy chicken recipes, this recipe is very flexible with substitutions!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Creamy Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Okay, let’s actually get cooking! Making this Creamy Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is one of those processes that looks professional but is dead simple at home. Don’t stress about the wine step; if you simmer it just enough, that sharpness disappears and leaves flavor behind! First things first: if you’re using chicken breast, slice it horizontally, which makes two thinner steaks. This helps everything cook evenly, which is crucial for a great skillet dinner.
Season the chicken well with that salt and pepper; don’t be shy! Then, we start building that foundation of flavor right in your skillet.
Searing the Chicken for Flavor
Heat up that reserved sun-dried tomato oil over high heat. You want it hot! Add your seasoned chicken pieces. Now, this is key for browning—don’t just throw them in willy-nilly. Give them space! If you crowd the pan, the chicken will steam instead of sear, and we need that gorgeous golden crust. Cook them for about 6 minutes total if you’re using thighs, or closer to 4 minutes per side for the breasts. Once they’ve got that color, pull them out onto a clean plate and cover them loosely to keep them warm while we make the magic sauce underneath.
Building the Rich Creamy Garlic Sauce
See those browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan? Those are flavor bombs! Drop in your minced garlic—just 15 seconds until you can smell it—then immediately pour in the white wine (or broth, if you opted out of the wine). Bring that right up to a simmer and use a wooden spoon to scrape every single flavorful bit off the bottom. That’s called deglazing, and it’s a technique essential for making easy chicken recipes taste complex!
Once the wine smell cooks off (about a minute), whisk in that Dijon mustard. Then, slowly pour in the broth, heavy cream, finely shredded parmesan, and those glorious sun-dried tomato strips. Let this beautiful mixture simmer on medium heat, stirring often, for maybe 2 or 3 minutes until it thickens up nicely. When the sauce is silky and coats the back of a spoon, stir in your fresh basil, if you’re using it, and nestle the chicken right back into that savory bath. A final minute of simmering, and dinner is ready! If you want to see a couple of other great skillet meals, check out my tips for quick weeknight cooking or this amazing garlic parmesan chicken.
Tips for Success with Your Creamy Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Even simple recipes like this one can go sideways if you rush the finishing touches, but that’s why I want to share my personal guardrails for making this Creamy Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes absolutely perfect every single time. The biggest worry people have is usually the sauce breaking or the chicken drying out, but we can prevent both with a little attention!
First off, temperature is crucial when you add the cream. You want the sauce gently simmering—not boiling furiously—when you stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan. If the heat is too high, cream can separate, which just ruins that smooth texture we worked so hard to build. Keep it at a medium-low simmer until everything is perfectly combined and creamy. You’ll end up with a sauce as lovely as any you’d find in a fancy restaurant, perhaps even better than this steak garlic cream sauce!
Next, moisture retention for the chicken: remember you are putting the chicken back into the sauce at the very end, right? This is just for warming up and soaking up flavor, not for cooking it through again. If you let the chicken simmer too long in the sauce, it will inevitably get tough. Once you return the seared meat to the pan, just let it heat through for one minute, spoon that sauce over the top, and serve immediately. That technique ensures every bite of chicken is juicy and tender, the perfect partner for that thick, savory sauce.
Serving Suggestions for Creamy Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
One of the best things about a rich, saucy dish like this Creamy Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is that it begs to be served over something absorbent! The sauce is the star, so you need the perfect vehicle to soak up every last drop. The recipe notes mentioned the classics, and honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of them.
For ultimate comfort, my first thought is always mashed potatoes. They are fluffy, they hold the cream sauce beautifully, and they make the whole meal feel incredibly cozy. If you’re watching macros or just feel like something lighter, creamy mashed cauliflower is a fantastic swap—it has that familiar velvety texture without the heaviness. And of course, if you’re a pasta family, egg noodles or fettuccine are wonderful choices for catching that garlicky sauce.
I also love pairing this with something green and bright to cut through all that richness. If you want something quick that really sings alongside the sun-dried tomatoes, you absolutely must try my quick broccoli pasta salad tossed lightly with lemon. It adds texture and a nice bit of freshness. If you’re looking for ways to keep the whole meal in the realm of healthy dinner ideas, serving this over quinoa or brown rice alongside a crisp side salad is my go-to.
However you serve it, make sure you get plenty of chicken, sauce, and tomatoes on every single plate! This Creamy Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is too good to leave any sauce behind.
Storing Leftover Creamy Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
My favorite part of making a fantastic dinner? Knowing I have leftovers waiting for me later in the week! This Creamy Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes honestly tastes just as good the next day, maybe even better as the flavors have time to really marry together. This makes it a true winner for those nights when you just want a super easy, pre-made meal—perfect for lazy dinners!
When it comes to storage, airtight containers are your best friend here. Make sure you cool the chicken down relatively quickly after you finish eating, but don’t put piping hot food straight into the fridge, as that can sometimes mess with your fridge temperature. Once it’s at room temperature, transfer the chicken and any remaining sauce into a shallow, quality airtight container. It will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for about three to four days.
Reheating is the easiest part! I try not to blast it on high heat because the cream sauce can sometimes seize up or look a little oily if shocked with too much heat. If you’re just reheating a single portion, I actually prefer the microwave using medium power in short 45-second bursts, stirring in between each one. This gentle warming keeps the chicken tender.
If you’re reheating a larger batch, pop it into a saucepan over low heat. Add a tiny splash of extra chicken broth or even just water if it seems too thick, then stir constantly until it’s hot all the way through. If you reheated it separately from the starch you served it with (like potatoes), it helps maintain the texture of both items once you combine them again for serving!
Frequently Asked Questions About Creamy Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
I always get so many great questions once folks start making this dish! It’s always wonderful to hear about how you’re adapting my recipes. Here are a few things I hear most often regarding this super satisfying Creamy Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes.
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs in this Creamy Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes?
Absolutely, yes! You can definitely use chicken breast. If you look back in the instructions—and this is super important—you need to slice the breast thinly first, almost like making butterfly cuts, so you end up with thinner steaks. This ensures they cook through quickly when searing and don’t dry out while you’re building that sauce. Chicken thighs just give you a little more forgiveness if you happen to leave them in for an extra minute, but breasts work wonderfully when prepped correctly. They certainly fit into those creamy chicken dinner ideas you might be looking for!
What is the best substitute if I cannot use white wine?
I know not everyone keeps wine on hand, or maybe you’re cooking for little ones! The wine is mostly there to deglaze the pan and add a hint of acidity and depth, but you certainly don’t need to worry. Just use the low-sodium chicken broth, which is already part of the required liquids. The recipe notes suggest using 3/4 cup of broth in place of the wine/broth combo if you skip the wine. You’ll still scrape up all those tasty brown bits, you just won’t get that tiny kick of sharp flavor that alcohol provides when it burns off. It still tastes fantastic!
Is this considered one of the healthier Chicken Breast Dinner Ideas?
That’s a fair question! Because we are using heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, it’s certainly rich comfort food, not a lean salad, right? However, when comparing it to something deep-fried or heavily breaded, this ranks pretty well, especially if you opt for chicken breasts like we just discussed. I always try to balance richness with fresh flavor, and those sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil help lift the dish. If you’re counting calories, remember you can serve this over steamed vegetables or cauliflower mash instead of pasta to make it lean more into the healthy chicken recipes category!
Nutritional Estimates for Creamy Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
I always calculate rough estimates for this dish, mostly so I know what I’m working with when I serve it alongside a big salad! Keep in mind these numbers are just a baseline—they totally depend on the exact brand of cream or chicken you purchase. This estimate is based on the standard recipe serving 4 people.
Here are the rough numbers for one serving:
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 30g (with 15g Saturated Fat)
- Protein: 38g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
This is a hearty meal, packed with protein, which is great! If you are monitoring your intake, know that the heavy components are the cream and Parmesan, so those are the areas you could slightly adjust if you were trying to make healthier dinner recipes on a tighter scale.
Share Your Creamy Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Experience
Seeing hearing from you all after you make my recipes is truly the best part of my job! I spend so much time making sure these family meals come out right, and it means the world when I know they are being enjoyed at your table just like they are at mine. If you gave this Creamy Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes a try, please leave a rating down below—it really helps other cooks know what to expect!
Did you use chicken thighs or breasts? Did your kids love it? Did you sneak an extra spoon of sauce when no one was looking? Tell me everything in the comments! And for more recipes straight from my kitchen, you can always read more about my philosophy and find my other time-tested favorites over on my author page right here: Sophia Reed’s Collection. Happy cooking, friends!
Nutritional Estimates for Creamy Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
I always calculate rough estimates for this dish, mostly so I know what I’m working with when I serve it alongside a big salad! Keep in mind these numbers are just a baseline—they totally depend on the exact brand of cream or chicken you purchase. This estimate is based on the standard recipe serving 4 people.
Here are the rough numbers for one serving:
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 30g (with 15g Saturated Fat)
- Protein: 38g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
This is a hearty meal, packed with protein, which is great! If you are monitoring your intake, know that the heavy components are the cream and Parmesan, so those are the areas you could slightly adjust if you were trying to make healthier dinner recipes on a tighter scale.
Share Your Creamy Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Experience
Seeing hearing from you all after you make my recipes is truly the best part of my job! I spend so much time making sure these family meals come out right, and it means the world when I know they are being enjoyed at your table just like they are at mine. If you gave this Creamy Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes a try, please leave a rating down below—it really helps other cooks know what to expect!
Did you use chicken thighs or breasts? Did your kids love it? Did you sneak an extra spoon of sauce when no one was looking? Tell me everything in the comments! And for more recipes straight from my kitchen, you can always read more about my philosophy and find my other time-tested favorites over on my author page right here: Sophia Reed’s Collection. Happy cooking, friends!
Print
Creamy Garlic Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make this comforting, family-friendly skillet dinner featuring tender chicken in a rich, creamy garlic sauce balanced with tangy sun-dried tomatoes.
Ingredients
- 750g chicken thighs OR chicken breast, skinless and boneless
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, strips, drained of oil
- 2 tbsp oil from sun dried tomatoes jar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup (125 ml) white wine (or chicken broth substitute)
- 3/4 cup (185 ml) chicken broth/stock, low sodium
- 3/4 cup (185 ml) thickened / heavy cream
- 1/3 cup (30g) parmesan, very finely shredded
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 cup basil leaves, packed (optional)
Instructions
- If using chicken breast, cut it in half horizontally to form two thin steaks.
- Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper.
- Heat the sun-dried tomato oil in a large skillet over high heat.
- Add the chicken and cook until golden brown on both sides (about 6 minutes total for thigh or 4 minutes for breast). Remove the chicken to a plate and keep it warm.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 15 seconds until light golden.
- Add the white wine. Bring to a simmer and scrape the bottom of the skillet to mix in the browned bits.
- Let the wine simmer for about 1 minute until the alcohol smell is gone.
- Mix in the Dijon mustard. Then add the chicken broth, cream, parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring regularly until the sauce thickens and the parmesan dissolves.
- Taste the sauce and add more salt and pepper if necessary.
- Stir in the basil leaves, if using. Return the chicken to the pan and spoon the sauce over it. Simmer for 1 minute.
- Serve immediately over mashed potatoes, mashed cauliflower, or pasta.
Notes
- If you do not have oil reserved from the sun-dried tomato jar, use 2 tablespoons of olive oil instead.
- Ensure the parmesan cheese is very finely shredded for smooth melting into the sauce.
- If you do not have Dijon mustard, you can omit it, but the sauce will lack some tang.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 30
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 15
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 38
- Cholesterol: 140
Keywords: Creamy Garlic Chicken, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Chicken Breast Dinner, Skillet Chicken, Easy Dinner, Family Meal, Creamy Sauce