If you’re looking for a comforting, yet impressive main course that practically cooks itself, Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken is destined to be the new star of your dinner table. This dish combines tender, slow-cooked chicken breasts with a dreamy Parmesan cream sauce, accented by sweet sun-dried tomatoes and fragrant garlic. Each bite is a little celebration of flavor and texture—rich, savory, and bursting with color. Best of all, the crock pot does most of the work, making this recipe a perfect choice for busy weeknights, romantic date nights, or anytime you want a little wow at the end of the day.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Just a handful of everyday ingredients come together to make Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken truly special. Each one brings something unique to the table, whether it’s in taste, texture, or that irresistible aroma that fills your kitchen while it cooks.
- Chicken Breasts: Lean and tender, these soak up all the creamy goodness and hold the sauce beautifully.
- Heavy Cream: The foundation for a luxuriously rich sauce—don’t swap this for milk, you want that silky texture!
- Chicken Broth: Adds savory depth and keeps the sauce from feeling too heavy.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Melts into the sauce, lending both saltiness and a nutty undertone.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Tangy, sweet, and chewy—they brighten up every bite with their color and concentrated flavor.
- Garlic: Minced fresh, it infuses the whole dish with a warm, aromatic kick.
- Italian Seasoning: An easy way to add herby complexity without measuring out lots of different spices.
- Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): For just a hint of heat and extra personality.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Essential to bring all those flavors forward—you can adjust to taste.
- Olive Oil: Helps achieve that irresistible golden sear on the chicken.
- Cornstarch + Water (Optional): If you love a thicker, cling-to-your-fork sauce, this finishing step is your friend.
- Chopped Fresh Basil or Parsley: For a sprinkle of color and a burst of garden-fresh flavor right before serving.
How to Make Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken
Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken
Start by patting your chicken breasts dry and sprinkling them generously with salt and black pepper. If you have a few extra minutes, warm the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and quickly sear both sides of the chicken for 2–3 minutes each. This step is totally optional, but it adds a gorgeous golden color and a little extra flavor that will pay off in the finished dish.
Step 2: Arrange Chicken in the Crock Pot
Once seared (or straight from the package, if you’re skipping that step), nestle the chicken breasts evenly in the bottom of your slow cooker. Make sure they’re in a single layer so they all cook at the same pace and soak up the sauce evenly.
Step 3: Mix Up That Irresistible Sauce
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if you’re using them. This is where all the magic starts—the ingredients will look humble now, but they’ll transform into something truly special as they simmer.
Step 4: Pour and Cook
Pour your creamy sauce mixture right over the chicken in the crock pot. Make sure every piece is well coated, then cover and set your crock pot. You can cook on low for 4–5 hours or on high for 2–3 hours—just be sure the chicken is tender and cooked through when you check.
Step 5: Thicken as Desired
If you love your sauces thick and luscious, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth. Stir this slurry into the sauce about 30 minutes before the end of cooking, and let the crock pot do the rest. By the time you’re ready to serve, the sauce will be perfect for spooning over everything.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Once the Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken is cooked to juicy perfection, spoon the creamy sauce over the chicken and shower with fresh chopped basil or parsley for a beautiful, aromatic finish. Now’s the time to gather everyone to the table—dinner is ready to steal the show!
How to Serve Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken
Garnishes
A finishing sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley brings a burst of color and a touch of brightness to every plate. You can also add some extra Parmesan over the top or even a light squeeze of lemon to lift all the creamy flavors even higher.
Side Dishes
The sauce from Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken is so delicious, you’ll want something on the side to soak up every drop. Creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, buttered pasta, or even a hunk of warm, crusty bread all work beautifully. For something lighter, a crisp green salad or simple roasted veggies keep your meal balanced and fresh.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’d like to impress, try slicing the chicken and arranging it on a platter with the sun-dried tomato cream sauce drizzled artfully on top and a shower of fresh herbs. Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken also makes a stunning open-faced sandwich on toasted ciabatta, or you can toss the sliced chicken and sauce with pasta for a show-stopping dinner bowl.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftovers of Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken should be placed in an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen and meld even more overnight, so don’t be surprised if you find it even more irresistible the next day!
Freezing
You can freeze this dish for longer storage—just cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers. It will keep well for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
Gently warm the chicken and sauce in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream if the sauce has thickened too much. Alternatively, microwave in short bursts, stirring halfway, until hot throughout. The sauce stays creamy and the chicken remains juicy, even after reheating.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are an excellent substitute in Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken—they’re extra juicy and flavorful, just adjust the cooking time slightly since thighs might cook a little faster.
Is it necessary to sear the chicken first?
Searing the chicken isn’t strictly required, but it does add a subtle extra layer of flavor and develops some delicious color. If you’re short on time, you can skip it, but it’s worth the extra few minutes if you can swing it.
How spicy is this dish?
With just half a teaspoon of red pepper flakes, Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken has only the gentlest hint of heat. You can leave the flakes out for a mild, kid-friendly version or bump them up for a bolder kick.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
For a dairy-free spin, swap heavy cream for a plant-based alternative (like full-fat coconut milk) and use a dairy-free Parmesan substitute. The sauce will be a little different, but still wonderfully creamy and flavorful.
What’s the best way to thicken the sauce?
The cornstarch slurry method works beautifully—just mix equal parts cornstarch and cold water, then add during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Alternatively, let the sauce simmer uncovered to naturally reduce and thicken.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken highly enough—between the melt-in-your-mouth chicken, the luxurious creamy sauce, and how shockingly easy it all comes together, it’s the kind of recipe you’ll turn to again and again. Give it a whirl, pour yourself a glass of something you love, and get ready for rave reviews around your table. Enjoy every irresistible bite!
Print
Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the creamy and flavorful delight of Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken. This slow cooker recipe features tender chicken breasts smothered in a luscious sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a cozy dinner at home!
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Sauce:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained and chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water (optional, for thickening)
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Sear Chicken: In a skillet over medium heat, sear the chicken in olive oil until lightly golden.
- Prepare Sauce: Whisk together heavy cream, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
- Cook in Crock Pot: Place chicken in crock pot, pour sauce over it, and cook on low for 4–5 hours or on high for 2–3 hours.
- Thicken Sauce: If desired, mix cornstarch with water and stir into the sauce during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Serve: Spoon creamy sauce over chicken, garnish with herbs, and enjoy!
Notes
- This dish pairs well with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta.
- Chicken thighs can be used for a more flavorful variation.
- Leftovers reheat beautifully for a delicious next-day meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 530mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
