Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken – This best crockpot marry me chicken is creamy with a perfect blend of tender chicken, rich cream, and savory flavors that meld together beautifully in a slow cooker. Whether you’re preparing a romantic dinner, a family meal, or just want to impress your guests, Marry Me Chicken is the answer.
What is Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken?
Marry Me Chicken is a creamy, flavorful chicken dish that’s traditionally baked but works wonderfully in a slow cooker. The slow cooker allows the flavors to develop more fully, resulting in a tender, melt-in-your-mouth experience. The base of this dish usually includes chicken breasts or thighs, a creamy sauce made with heavy cream or cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, parmesan cheese, and a hint of herbs like thyme or basil.
The slow cooker is ideal for this recipe because it allows the chicken to simmer slowly, absorbing all the rich flavors. Plus, it’s a “set it and forget it” method that makes cooking easy and stress-free.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes! Chicken thighs are a fantastic option for Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken. They have a richer flavor and stay moist and tender after slow cooking, making them a great alternative to chicken breasts.
Can I make Marry Me Chicken dairy-free?
Yes, you can! Substitute the heavy cream with a dairy-free alternative like coconut cream. While the flavor will be slightly different, the dish will still be deliciously creamy.
How long should I cook Marry Me Chicken in the slow cooker?
Cooking on low for 4–6 hours is ideal. If you’re short on time, you can cook it on high for 2–3 hours, but slow cooking yields the best, most tender results.
Can I freeze Marry Me Chicken?
Absolutely! Let the dish cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. You can freeze it for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken
Use fresh herbs for a flavor boost
While dried herbs work well, adding fresh basil or parsley right before serving gives the dish a fresh and vibrant flavor that takes it to the next level.
Sear the chicken for extra flavor
For a deeper, richer flavor, sear the chicken in a hot skillet before adding it to the slow cooker. This step is optional but worth it if you want a slightly crisp outer layer on the chicken.
Don’t skip the sun-dried tomatoes
Sun-dried tomatoes add a wonderful tangy sweetness that balances out the richness of the cream. They are a key ingredient and shouldn’t be left out!
Adjust the heat to your preference
If you like your dishes with a bit of heat, feel free to increase the red pepper flakes. You can also add a dash of cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
Variations of Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken
To make this dish keto-friendly, simply serve it over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of traditional pasta or rice. You can also use cream cheese instead of heavy cream for a lower-carb option.
Marry Me Chicken with Spinach:
For a boost of greens, stir in a couple of handfuls of baby spinach during the last 30 minutes of cooking. The spinach wilts beautifully into the sauce, adding color and nutrition to the dish.
Mushroom Marry Me Chicken:
If you’re a fan of mushrooms, add 1 cup of sliced mushrooms to the slow cooker. The earthy flavor of mushrooms complements the creamy sauce perfectly.
Low-Sodium Version:
To make a low-sodium version, use low-sodium chicken broth and reduce the amount of added salt. You can also skip the Parmesan cheese or use a lower-sodium cheese alternative.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken
There are plenty of options when it comes to serving this irresistible dish. Here are a few suggestions:
- Over Pasta: Classic and comforting, serve the chicken and sauce over your favorite pasta, like fettuccine or spaghetti.
- With Rice: White rice or wild rice works great to soak up all that creamy sauce.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are the perfect partner to the tender chicken and rich sauce.
- Zoodles: For a low-carb option, serve the dish over zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.
How to Store and Reheat Marry Me Chicken
Storing:
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This dish tastes even better the next day, as the flavors continue to develop.
Reheating:
To reheat, simply warm the chicken and sauce in a pan over medium heat until heated through. You can also microwave it in a covered dish for 1–2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Freezing:
Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken freezes beautifully! Transfer to a freezer-safe container and store for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, let it thaw in the fridge overnight, and reheat as mentioned above.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make: The slow cooker does all the work, leaving you free to relax or focus on other tasks.
- Rich, comforting flavors: The creamy sauce combined with savory herbs and tangy sun-dried tomatoes creates an unforgettable dish.
- Perfect for any occasion: Whether you’re cooking for a date night, a family gathering, or meal prepping, Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken is versatile and crowd-pleasing.
- Meal prep friendly: This dish stores well and tastes just as good, if not better, the next day, making it perfect for meal prep.
Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken (Crockpot)
Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken - This best crockpot marry me chicken is creamy with a perfect blend of tender chicken, rich cream, and savory flavors that meld together beautifully in a slow cooker.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Sauce:
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 10 fresh basil leaves, chopped
- ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Sprinkle both sides of the chicken breasts with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and melt the butter. Sear the chicken breasts until golden brown, then remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: In a bowl, whisk together the chicken broth and cornstarch until smooth. Pour this mixture into the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Add the Creamy Mix: Whisk in the heavy cream, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and paprika.
- Slow Cook: Place the seared chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Pour any leftover olive oil and butter from the pan over the chicken. Top with chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
- Cook Low and Slow: Set your slow cooker to low and cook for 6-7 hours.
- Finish the Sauce: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker. Whisk in the Parmesan cheese to the sauce. Return the chicken to the slow cooker, cover it with the sauce, sprinkle with fresh basil, and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 622Total Fat 43gSaturated Fat 22gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 18gCholesterol 197mgSodium 1277mgCarbohydrates 14gFiber 1gSugar 2gProtein 44g
All Chicken Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Still Hungry! Try these chicken recipes:
- Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Noodles
- Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken And Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata
Conclusion
Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken is the perfect combination of ease and elegance. With minimal prep and a slow cooker doing most of the work, you’ll have a stunning, flavorful dish that’s sure to impress. Whether you’re making it for a special someone or simply want to treat yourself, this recipe is one you’ll want to make again and again.