Oh, my friends, let me tell you about a recipe that’s practically a hug in a bowl: Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken! Seriously, this dish is the definition of effortless comfort food. Think juicy chicken swimming in the most unbelievably creamy, garlicky parmesan sauce, studded with those little bursts of sweet sun-dried tomatoes. It’s the kind of meal that makes a busy weeknight feel like a leisurely Sunday. I first whipped this up when I was completely wiped out after a long day, and the thought of actually cooking felt impossible. This recipe saved my life (and my family’s dinner plans!). It’s so simple, yet the flavor is absolutely knockout. You’ll want to add this Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken to your regular rotation, trust me!
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken
- It’s unbelievably easy – minimal prep means more relaxation for you!
- The flavor is pure magic: rich, creamy, garlicky, and oh-so-satisfying.
- It’s the ultimate comfort food that feels like a gourmet meal.
- Super versatile; it’s perfect served over pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice.
- Your slow cooker does all the hard work, leaving you with a delicious dinner.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken
- For the Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- For the Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup chopped sun dried tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- For Thickening
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- For Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Simple Steps for Making Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken
Step 1: First thing’s first, let’s get that chicken ready! Grab your chicken breasts and give them a good rubdown with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. This little step really wakes up the flavor before it even hits the slow cooker. I like to make sure every inch is coated evenly.
Step 2: Now, get a skillet nice and hot over medium-high heat with that tablespoon of olive oil. We’re going to give the chicken a quick sear, just about two minutes on each side. It doesn’t need to cook through, just get a nice golden-brown color. This really helps build a fantastic flavor base. For more chicken inspiration, you might love my Crispy Parmesan Chicken Thighs!
Step 3: Time to get everything into the slow cooker! Gently place those seared chicken breasts into your slow cooker. Don’t worry if they’re not perfectly submerged yet; the sauce will take care of that.
Step 4: Next, let’s make the magic sauce! Add the minced garlic, chicken broth, that luscious heavy cream, grated parmesan cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, dried thyme, and dried basil right into the slow cooker with the chicken. Give it all a gentle stir to combine everything. Make sure the chicken is mostly covered by the sauce – this helps it stay super moist and tender.
Step 5: It’s cooking time! Pop the lid on your slow cooker, set it to low for 4 to 5 hours, or if you’re in a bit of a rush, high for about 2 to 3 hours. You’re looking for the chicken to be completely tender and cooked through. Remember, chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of 165°F, so a meat thermometer is your best friend here! If you want another great slow cooker chicken recipe, try my Cowboy Butter Chicken Bites.
Step 6: While the chicken finishes up, let’s make that sauce extra dreamy. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until it’s completely smooth. No lumps allowed!
Step 7: During the last 20 minutes of cooking, stir that cornstarch slurry right into the slow cooker. It’ll work its magic to thicken the sauce just enough, making it perfect for coating everything.
Step 8: And there you have it! Spoon that rich, creamy sauce all over the chicken. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness. So good, you’ll be making this Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken again and again. For more simple chicken recipes, consider my Baked Boneless Chicken Thighs.
What to Serve with Your Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken
This creamy chicken is so dreamy, you’ll want to serve it with something that can really soak up all that delicious sauce! Here are a few of my favorite ideas:
Steamed Rice or Pasta: You can’t go wrong with a classic! A simple bed of fluffy white rice or your favorite pasta is the perfect vehicle for this rich sauce. It’s practically mandatory to get every last drop. For a fun twist, check out my Loaded Southwest Potato Bowls – the creaminess works perfectly!
Garlic Mashed Potatoes: If you’re looking for pure comfort, you really can’t beat some fluffy mashed potatoes. Adding a little garlic to them makes them even better, though honestly, they’re amazing served alongside this chicken as is. My creamy macaroni salad is also a fantastic, decadent choice!
Light Green Salad: If you need something to cut through all that richness, a simple salad with a bright vinaigrette is lovely. Or, for something a bit more substantial with a sweet crunch, my Broccoli Apple Salad is a surprisingly great pairing!
Storing and Reheating Your Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken
So, you’ve got some of this amazing Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken leftover – lucky you! The best way to store it is in an airtight container in the fridge. I usually keep the chicken and sauce together, and it should stay perfectly delicious for about 3 to 4 days. Just make sure it cools down a bit before you pop it in the fridge. Honestly, I’ve had leftovers last the full four days and they were still fantastic!
Reheating is super easy, but you’ve got to do it right to keep that creamy goodness. Avoid the microwave if you can, because it can sometimes make creamy sauces a little… odd. Instead, I love to gently warm it up in a saucepan over low heat, stirring often. If it seems a little thick, just add a tiny splash of chicken broth or milk to loosen it up. You can also reheat it in the oven at a low temp, maybe 300°F, covered, until heated through. Either way, you’ll have a delicious meal that tastes almost as good as the first time!
Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken
Got questions about this dreamy Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken? I’ve got answers!
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for this recipe?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are fantastic in the slow cooker and tend to stay extra moist. You might need to adjust the cooking time slightly – they can usually go a bit longer than breasts without drying out, so just cook until they’re super tender. They’ll be delicious!
Q: My sauce seems a little thin. How can I make it thicker?
No worries if your sauce isn’t as thick as you’d like! That’s exactly what the cornstarch slurry is for. You can also make a bit more of the cornstarch and water mixture (about 1 teaspoon cornstarch to 2 teaspoons water) and stir it in during the last 20-30 minutes of cooking. For an even richer sauce, you could also try stirring in a little extra grated parmesan cheese at the end, or even a dollop of cream cheese. For more creamy chicken ideas, check out my creamy garlic chicken!
Q: Can I make this Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken ahead of time for meal prep?
Yes, you totally can! This is a great meal prep contender. Cook the chicken and sauce as directed, then let it cool completely. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. For the best texture when reheating, I recommend gently warming it in a saucepan on the stove or in a low oven, as mentioned in my storage tips. You could also try making a batch and then freezing portions for even longer storage! If you like slow cooker meals, you might also enjoy my Slow Cooker Chicken Gyros.
Before You Go
I really hope you give this Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken a try soon! It’s become such a go-to for me, and I think it’ll become one for you too. If you make it, please drop a comment below and let me know what you think – I’d absolutely love to hear from you! You can also find more delicious recipes on my Facebook page!
Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Season the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Sear the chicken for 2 minutes per side until lightly golden.
- Transfer the chicken to the slow cooker.
- Add garlic, chicken broth, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, sun dried tomatoes, thyme, and basil to the slow cooker. Stir gently to combine.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- In a small bowl whisk together cornstarch and water until smooth.
- Stir the cornstarch mixture into the slow cooker during the final 20 minutes of cooking to thicken the sauce slightly.
- Spoon the creamy sauce over the chicken and garnish with chopped parsley before serving. Cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F before serving.
