Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken Recipe

Have you ever made a meal so incredible that your family literally can’t stop talking about it? That’s exactly what happens every time I make this Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken.

It’s become our ultimate comfort food dinner that my husband David and both kids request constantly. The name comes from the idea that it’s so delicious someone might propose after trying it – and while I can’t guarantee a proposal, I can promise an empty slow cooker!

If you love creamy, flavorful chicken dishes that basically cook themselves, you need to try my garlic butter chicken bites recipe too.

Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken

Easy Prep, Amazing Results: Just 15 minutes of prep, then let your slow cooker do all the heavy lifting while the magic happens.

Kid-Approved Deliciousness: Both Sophia and James clean their plates every single time I make this, which is practically a miracle in our house!

Perfect for Company: The name doesn’t lie – this chicken is special enough for date nights, yet simple enough for busy weeknights.

What Makes This Marry Me Chicken Special

There’s something about the combination of tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and that creamy parmesan sauce that makes this dish absolutely irresistible.

The slow cooker method allows all those flavors to meld together and infuse the chicken with amazing taste.

I first made this recipe when David’s parents were coming over for Sunday dinner. I was nervous about impressing them, but this chicken had everyone at the table silent for the first few minutes (always a good sign!) followed by a chorus of “This is amazing!”

My father-in-law even asked for the recipe, which never happens!

Ingredients For Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter

For the Creamy Sauce:

• 1 ½ cups chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup heavy cream (see important notes below!)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ⅓ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, drained
• ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 10 fresh basil leaves, chopped

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Chicken Breasts: You can use chicken thighs instead if you prefer dark meat. They’ll be even more tender!

Heavy Cream: This is what makes the sauce so rich and creamy. If your slow cooker runs hot, add this during the final 30 minutes to prevent curdling.

Sun-Dried Tomatoes: These add amazing flavor, but if you don’t have them, you could substitute roasted red peppers or halved cherry tomatoes.

Fresh Basil: Don’t skip this! I sometimes grab leaves from our garden, and they add such brightness to the finished dish.

How to Make Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken

1. Season the chicken: In a small bowl, mix together ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Season chicken breasts on both sides with this mixture.
2. Sear the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and butter and let butter melt. Sear chicken breasts until golden brown on both sides (about 2-3 minutes per side). You’re not cooking them through, just getting that gorgeous color. Set aside.
3. Prepare the sauce base: Whisk together chicken broth and cornstarch in a bowl until smooth with no lumps. Pour into the bottom of your slow cooker.
4. Add remaining sauce ingredients: Whisk in heavy cream, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and paprika.
5. Add chicken and tomatoes: Place the seared chicken breasts into the slow cooker. Pour the leftover olive oil and butter from the pan over the top. Sprinkle the sun-dried tomatoes over each piece of chicken.
6. Cook low and slow: Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours. Do not cook on high as the sauce might scorch!
7. Finish with cheese and basil: Remove chicken. Whisk parmesan cheese into the sauce. Return chicken to the slow cooker, cover with sauce, and sprinkle with fresh chopped basil before serving.

Why We Love This Recipe

Incredibly Tender Chicken: The slow cooking process makes the chicken so juicy it practically falls apart with your fork.

That Sauce Though: Creamy, slightly tangy from the sun-dried tomatoes, with the perfect kick from the red pepper flakes. My kids always ask for extra to pour over their pasta or potatoes.

Makes Amazing Leftovers: If you’re lucky enough to have any left, this chicken tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had more time to blend.

Variations to Try With Marry Me Chicken

Add Vegetables: Stir in some spinach during the last 15 minutes of cooking, or add mushrooms with the sun-dried tomatoes.

Spice It Up: Double the red pepper flakes if you like more heat. My husband David loves it this way!

Herb Upgrade: Try adding fresh thyme or rosemary along with the basil for even more herby goodness.

Storage and Reheating Tips

This Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually get better overnight!

To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or microwave in 30-second intervals until hot. Add a splash of cream if the sauce needs thinning.

You can also freeze portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

FAQs

What to Serve With Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken

This creamy chicken pairs beautifully with so many side dishes:

• Pasta: Especially garlic parmesan chicken pasta for extra deliciousness
• Mashed potatoes: The sauce on top of potatoes is heavenly
• Steamed green beans or cheesy garlic baked green beans
• Crusty bread: Perfect for soaking up every last bit of that amazing sauce

Final Thoughts on This Slow Cooker Chicken Recipe

This Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken has become one of our family’s favorite meals for good reason.

It’s ridiculously easy but tastes like something that took hours of careful attention. The combination of tender chicken, creamy sauce with parmesan, and those sweet little bites of sun-dried tomato create something truly special.

Whether you’re making it for a busy weeknight dinner or a special occasion, I promise this recipe won’t disappoint.

If you try it, I’d love to hear what you and your family think! Drop me a comment below or tag me on social media with your slow cooker creations.

Save this recipe for later! Pin it on Pinterest and share it with your friends.

Happy cooking!

Iris

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