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Crockpot Marry Me Chicken Recipe

Crockpot Marry Me Chicken Recipe Creamy and Irresistible
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Forget complicated techniques and fussy pans. This is set-it-and-glow cooking: rich, creamy, sun-dried tomato bliss that tastes like a chef moved in. You toss a few heroes into a slow cooker, walk away, and return to a silky sauce that hugs tender chicken like it was born for it.

It’s the kind of dish that steals the spotlight from your main character energy—and honestly, we’re okay with that. Ready for the recipe people won’t stop asking you about?

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Cooking process close-up: Slow cooker filled with lightly golden seared chicken breasts nestled in a
  • Zero stress, maximum payoff: Toss, set, forget, and get applause at dinner. That’s the workflow.
  • Restaurant-level flavor: Creamy garlic-Parmesan sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and herbs that tastes five-star.
  • Ultra versatile: Serve with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, polenta, or zucchini noodles.It does it all.
  • Meal-prep friendly: Reheats like a dream and thickens beautifully by day two.
  • Crowd-pleaser: Kids like it. Adults love it. Your future in-laws will ask for seconds.

Ingredients Breakdown

  • Chicken: 2 to 2.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for extra tenderness).
  • Salt & Pepper: 1.5 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp black pepper, divided.
  • Garlic: 4–5 cloves, minced, for that bold, aromatic backbone.
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes: 1/2 cup, oil-packed and chopped, drained lightly.
  • Chicken Broth: 1/2 cup, low-sodium to control seasoning.
  • Heavy Cream: 1 cup for velvety richness (see swaps below).
  • Parmesan: 3/4 cup freshly grated, not the shelf-stable powder.
  • Italian Seasoning: 1.5 tsp for herby depth.
  • Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: 1/2 tsp for a gentle kiss of heat (optional).
  • Butter: 2 tbsp for extra gloss and flavor.
  • Fresh Basil: 1/4 cup, sliced, for finishing flair.
  • Olive Oil: 1 tbsp if you’re searing first (optional).

Step-by-Step Instructions

Tasty top view: Overhead shot of Crockpot Marry Me Chicken spooned over al dente rigatoni, coated in
  1. Prep the chicken: Pat dry and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper.This locks in flavor from the start.
  2. Optional sear (worth it): Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Sear chicken 2 minutes per side until lightly golden. Not cooking through—just building flavor.
  3. Layer the crockpot: Add chicken to the slow cooker.Sprinkle in garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and remaining salt/pepper.
  4. Build the sauce base: Pour in chicken broth. Dot with butter. Cover and cook on Low for 3.5–4.5 hours or High for 2–3 hours, until chicken is just tender.
  5. Add the creaminess: Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan.Cover and cook on Low for another 20–30 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Finish and taste: Shred chicken into large chunks or leave whole. Stir in fresh basil. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and heat.
  7. Serve like a pro: Spoon over pasta, garlic mashed potatoes, or rice.Garnish with extra Parmesan and basil. Prepare for compliments.

How to Store

  • Refrigerate: Cool completely. Store in an airtight container up to 4 days.
  • Freeze: Sauce with cream freezes decently.Freeze in portions up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
  • Reheat: Warm gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave at 50% power, stirring. If sauce separates, add a splash of broth or cream and whisk.
  • Leftover magic: Toss with penne, stuff into a wrap, spoon over roasted veggies, or turn into a creamy chicken bake.
Final plated hero: Beautifully plated Crockpot Marry Me Chicken (thighs or breasts) served over butt

Why This is Good for You

  • Protein-rich: Chicken provides a solid protein base to keep you full and support muscle maintenance.
  • Balanced fats: The cream and Parmesan add satiating fats, which help absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.Moderation still matters, obviously.
  • Tomato power: Sun-dried tomatoes bring lycopene and antioxidants, plus big flavor for minimal volume.
  • Customizable: You control sodium, spice, and dairy options to fit your goals. IMO, that’s real-life healthy.

Don’t Make These Errors

  • Overcooking the chicken: Dry chicken is the villain here. Start checking at the low end of the time range.
  • Using pre-grated Parmesan: It won’t melt as smoothly and can make the sauce grainy.Freshly grated is king.
  • Dumping cream too early: Add cream and cheese near the end so they don’t break or overcook.
  • Skipping seasoning layers: Season before cooking and after finishing. Flavor should be built, not guessed.
  • Forgetting texture: Searing boosts depth. If you skip it, it’ll still be great—just a little less “wow.”

Variations You Can Try

  • Lighter swap: Use half-and-half plus 2 oz cream cheese for a lighter but still luxe sauce.
  • Thigh-high flavor: Substitute boneless thighs for ultra-juicy results and richer taste.
  • Mushroom upgrade: Add 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms for umami and extra body.
  • Spinach swirl: Stir in 2 cups baby spinach during the last 10 minutes until wilted.
  • Pesto twist: Add 2–3 tbsp basil pesto at the end for herby freshness.
  • Low-carb path: Serve over cauliflower mash or roasted zucchini planks.
  • Bold and smoky: Add 1 tsp smoked paprika and a squeeze of lemon before serving.
  • Dairy-free experiment: Use full-fat coconut milk and nutritional yeast instead of cream/Parmesan; flavor shifts tropical, but still tasty.

Crockpot Marry Me Chicken Recipe Creamy and Irresistible

Crockpot Marry Me Chicken Recipe

Rebecca Blumer
Creamy, garlicky, sun-dried tomato chicken slow-cooked to perfection. Toss everything into your crockpot, walk away, and return to a restaurant-level dish that steals the spotlight with zero stress.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian-Inspired
Servings 6 Servings
Calories 465 kcal

Equipment

  • Slow cooker
  • Skillet

Ingredients
  

  • 2.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs for extra tenderness
  • 1.5 tsp kosher salt divided
  • 1 tsp black pepper divided
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 0.5 cup sun-dried tomatoes oil-packed, chopped, drained lightly
  • 0.5 cup chicken broth low sodium
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 0.75 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 1.5 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional, for mild heat
  • 0.25 cup fresh basil sliced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for optional searing

Instructions
 

  • Pat chicken dry. Season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 0.5 tsp pepper.
  • (Optional) Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Sear chicken 2 minutes per side until golden, not cooked through.
  • Place chicken in slow cooker. Add garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and remaining salt and pepper.
  • Pour in chicken broth and dot with butter. Cover and cook on Low 3.5–4.5 hours or High 2–3 hours, until chicken is tender.
  • Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan. Cover and cook on Low another 20–30 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  • Shred chicken into chunks or leave whole. Stir in fresh basil. Adjust salt, pepper, and heat as needed.
  • Serve over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice. Garnish with extra Parmesan and basil.

Notes

For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with half-and-half plus 2 oz cream cheese. Add mushrooms or spinach for extra veggies. Store leftovers up to 4 days refrigerated or 2 months frozen.
Keyword Chicken, Comfort Food, Slow Cooker

FAQ

Can I make this on the stovetop instead of a crockpot?

Yes. Sear the chicken in a deep skillet, add broth and seasonings, then simmer covered over low heat for 12–15 minutes until cooked through. Add cream and Parmesan, simmer gently to thicken, then finish with basil.

What pasta pairs best?

Short shapes like penne, rigatoni, or orecchiette grip the sauce beautifully. Egg noodles and gnocchi also slap, FYI.

How do I thicken a thin sauce?

Reduce the lid-off for 10–15 minutes on Low, or whisk in an extra 1–2 tbsp Parmesan.

You can also mix 1 tsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp cold water and stir in, then heat until glossy.

Is it spicy?

Only mildly if you use the red pepper flakes as written. Skip them for zero heat or add more for a kick.

Can I add veggies directly?

Absolutely. Add mushrooms or onions at the start.

Add spinach or kale near the end so they don’t overcook.

What if my sauce looks grainy?

This usually means pre-grated cheese or overheating. Stir in a splash of warm cream and whisk gently off heat to smooth it out.

Breasts or thighs—what’s better?

Thighs are more forgiving and stay juicy. Breasts are leaner and work great if you don’t overcook.

Choose your adventure.

Final Thoughts

“Crockpot Marry Me Chicken” isn’t just a recipe—it’s a cheat code for big flavor with minimal effort. Creamy, garlicky, and impossible to mess up, it’s the dinner that turns a random Tuesday into a win. Keep it classic, or riff with mushrooms, pesto, or spinach.

Either way, expect clean plates and suspiciously enthusiastic compliments. Now set that slow cooker and let the sauce do the talking.

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