Get ready for a dinner so good, it might just inspire a proposal! This Crockpot Marry Me Chicken recipe transforms simple ingredients into a rich, creamy, and unbelievably delicious meal with minimal effort. By letting your slow cooker do all the work, you can enjoy tender chicken breasts swimming in a luxurious sun-dried tomato and Parmesan sauce any night of the week. It’s the perfect set-it-and-forget-it dish that tastes like you’ve been working in the kitchen for hours.
What is Marry Me Chicken?
Marry Me Chicken is a popular dish known for its incredibly decadent sauce. The name comes from the idea that it’s so delicious, anyone you serve it to will want to marry you on the spot! The signature flavor profile comes from a creamy, savory sauce loaded with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and Parmesan cheese. While traditionally made on the stovetop, this crockpot version delivers the same restaurant-quality taste with even less hands-on time.
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot Marry Me Chicken Recipe
This isn’t just another chicken dinner; it’s a game-changer for busy weeknights. Here’s why this recipe will become a staple in your meal rotation:
- Effortless Preparation: With just 10 minutes of prep, you can have this meal cooking away while you handle the rest of your day.
- Incredibly Flavorful: The slow cooking process allows the flavors of the garlic, herbs, and sun-dried tomatoes to meld together perfectly, infusing the chicken with amazing taste.
- Tender & Juicy Chicken: Cooking chicken low and slow in the crockpot ensures it comes out perfectly tender and moist every single time.
- Family-Approved: The creamy sauce and gentle flavors are a huge hit with both adults and kids, making it a perfect family dinner. Consider serving it alongside these delicious Butter Swim Biscuits to soak up every last drop of the sauce.
Key Ingredients for The Perfect Creamy Sauce
The magic of this dish is in its simple, high-impact ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
The Chicken
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are perfect for this recipe. They soak up the sauce beautifully and become fork-tender in the slow cooker. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs; they may require slightly less cooking time, so check for doneness around the 3-hour mark on low.
The Sun-Dried Tomatoes
These are the star of the show! Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for the best flavor and texture. The oil they’re packed in is infused with flavor, and you can even add a spoonful to the crockpot for an extra punch.
The Creamy Base
A combination of heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese creates the signature rich and velvety sauce. It’s crucial to add these at the end of the cooking time to prevent them from curdling or separating.
Aromatics & Seasoning
Freshly minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of red pepper flakes form the aromatic backbone of the sauce. The red pepper adds a subtle warmth without making the dish spicy.
How to Make Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
Follow these simple steps for a foolproof and delicious result.
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Combine Ingredients in Crockpot: Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker. Top with the minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes (with a bit of their oil), and chicken broth.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Create the Creamy Sauce: Remove the chicken from the crockpot and set it aside. Whisk the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water) into the liquid remaining in the crockpot.
- Finish and Serve: Let the sauce cook on high for another 15-20 minutes, or until it has thickened. Return the chicken to the crockpot to coat it in the sauce. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve immediately.
Tips for Slow Cooker Success
To ensure your Crockpot Marry Me Chicken is perfect every time, keep these tips in mind:
- Don’t Overcook: Chicken breasts can become dry if overcooked, even in a slow cooker. Start checking for doneness at the lower end of the recommended cooking time.
- Wait to Add Dairy: To prevent a broken or curdled sauce, always add the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese at the very end of the cooking process.
- Thicken the Sauce: If your sauce isn’t as thick as you’d like, a simple cornstarch slurry will do the trick. Whisk it in and let it cook for a few minutes to thicken up beautifully.
What to Serve with Marry Me Chicken
This creamy chicken dish is incredibly versatile. It pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides that can soak up its delicious sauce. Our top recommendation is serving it over a bed of Creamy Garlic Parmesan Orzo. It’s also fantastic with standard pasta, fluffy white rice, or mashed potatoes. For a lighter, healthier option, pair it with some Healthy Sautéed Vegetables or a simple green salad.
Delicious Variations to Try
While the classic recipe is a stunner, it’s also a great base for experimentation. Try one of these delicious variations:
- Add Spinach: Stir in a few handfuls of fresh spinach during the last 15 minutes of cooking until it wilts into the sauce.
- Include Mushrooms: Add sliced cremini mushrooms along with the chicken at the beginning for an extra layer of earthy flavor.
- Try a Different Protein: This incredible sauce works wonders with other proteins. For a fantastic seafood twist, try this Marry Me Salmon recipe.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the chicken and sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Avoid microwaving, as the high heat can cause the cream sauce to separate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make a dairy-free version. Substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut cream or a dairy-free heavy cream alternative. For the Parmesan, use a high-quality nutritional yeast or a dairy-free Parmesan substitute to achieve a similar cheesy, savory flavor.
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully. They are naturally juicier and harder to overcook. You may need to reduce the cooking time slightly, so check for doneness after 3-4 hours on low.
The key is to add the dairy ingredients—heavy cream and Parmesan cheese—at the very end of the cooking process, after the main cooking time is complete. Whisk them in gently on a low heat setting until just combined and thickened.
The name comes from the idea that the dish is so irresistibly delicious, its creamy sun-dried tomato and Parmesan sauce is enough to make someone propose marriage on the spot!
If your sauce isn’t as thick as you’d like, a cornstarch slurry is the easiest solution. Mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water until smooth, then whisk it into the sauce in the crockpot. Let it cook for another 15-20 minutes on high to thicken.
The Best Crockpot Marry Me Chicken Recipe
Crockpot Marry Me Chicken (The Easiest, Creamiest Recipe!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Place the seasoned chicken in the bottom of your slow cooker. Add the minced garlic, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and chicken broth.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Remove the chicken from the crockpot. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Whisk the slurry, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese into the crockpot juices until smooth.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 15-20 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken. Return the chicken to the crockpot and spoon the sauce over it.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Tip 2: Ensure your Parmesan cheese is freshly grated. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can prevent the sauce from becoming smooth.
We hope you love this Crockpot Marry Me Chicken recipe as much as we do! It’s a testament to how simple ingredients, combined with the magic of a slow cooker, can create an unforgettable meal. If you make this dish and love it, we’d be thrilled if you would leave a comment and share it on Pinterest!
