This Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken is the kind of comforting, creamy dinner that feels fancy enough for company but is easy enough for a busy weeknight.
Recipe Highlights
- Flavor: This dish has savory herbs, mellow garlic, and a pop of tangy flavor all in a comforting and silky sauce.
- Tools: You need a large skillet, slow cooker, whisk, and an instant-read thermometer to make this creamy slow cooker chicken.
- Time-Saver: Minced jarred garlic (not pickled), pre-grated Parmesan, or chopped sun-dried tomatoes are good ways to make prep time even shorter.
- Serving: Best over pasta, rice, garlic mashed potatoes, or with crusty sourdough soda bread for dipping into the sauce.
Marry Me Chicken Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: Use fresh or previously frozen boneless skinless breasts.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: Add to chicken before browning to give the meat delicious flavor from the inside out.
- Olive Oil: Best to brown chicken without burning because it has a higher smoke point than butter.
- Sauce:
- Butter adds richness and helps carry the Italian seasoning flavor.
- Fresh minced garlic has delicious flavor, but garlic powder can work and is less likely to burn.
- Italian seasoning is an easy way to add herby flavor without needing to use several different herbs.
- Flour, while optional, is a great way to thicken the sauce. Or you can use a cornstarch slurry near the end.
- Chicken broth is a great way to thin the sauce while adding savory depth.
- Use full-fat heavy cream for the best marry me chicken sauce.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese gives the sauce the best flavor and melts into the sauce best.
- Season with salt and pepper to bring out all the ingredient flavors.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Use oil-packed tomatoes, drained and chopped for bold Mediterranean-style tomato flavor.
- Fresh Basil or Parsley: Is optional but recommended to adds color and freshness.
Variations
- Add a handful of baby spinach during the last 10 to 15 minutes for an extra pop of color and nutrition.
- For a spicy version, add some red pepper flakes.
- Mushrooms added after browning the chicken make for a savory and hearty variation.
How to Make Marry Me Chicken in the Slow Cooker
- Sear the chicken and place in the slow cooker. (Full recipe below.)
- In the same skillet, make the sauce.
- Pour sauce over the chicken and add sun-dried tomatoes.
- Cook until the chicken reaches 165°F, garnish, and serve.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerate leftovers with the sauce in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Warm leftovers gently in a covered skillet or in the microwave at reduced power. Add a splash of broth, cream, or milk if the sauce is too thick.
- Freeze cooled leftovers in a freezer safe container for up to 2 to 3 months. If the cream sauce separates after thawing, reheat it slowly and whisk until creamy again.
- Reheated leftovers are delicious spooned over air fryer baked potatoes with a side of steamed vegetables. Or enjoy the cold chicken chopped into a pasta salad or tucked into a sandwich or wrap.
Creamy Chicken Dinners to Make Next
Did you make this Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken? Leave a comment and rating below.
Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken
Slow cooker marry me chicken is a creamy, comforting chicken dinner made with Parmesan, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes. Serve it over pasta, rice, or potatoes for an easy and delicious dinner.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts about 2 pounds (8 ounces each)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 Tablespoons flour *, optional, to thicken sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ⅔ cup sun dried tomatoes drained and chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt and pepper on both sides. In a large skillet on medium high, heat olive oil. Once oil is shimmering, brown the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove chicken from skillet and add to slow cooker.
- To the same skillet, add butter, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Whisk together and saute for 1 minute.
- Add flour (if using) and cook for 30 seconds. Add broth, heavy cream, and parmesan and whisk to combine. Once bubbling, cook for 2 minutes.
- Pour sauce over the chicken, then top with sun dried tomatoes.
- Cover and cook on high for 1½ to 2½ hours*, or until chicken reaches 165℉ on an instant-read thermometer.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper. Serve over pasta or rice. Garnish with chopped basil.
Notes
*8 ounce chicken breasts take about 2 hours. To cook on low, cook for 3 to 4 hours.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 521 | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 156mg | Sodium: 758mg | Potassium: 1190mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1283IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 185mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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Recipe adapted from Recipe Critic
