If you’ve been on the hunt for a meal that’s effortless, comforting, and downright delicious, I have just the thing for you. This Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Recipe is one of those dishes that feels fancy but comes together with minimal fuss, making it perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to impress without the stress. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll see why it’s become a favorite in my kitchen—and I’m betting it’ll win over your family too!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: You can find everything at your local grocery store without hunting for anything fancy.
- Hands-Off Cooking: Just set it and forget it in the slow cooker, freeing you up for other things.
- Rich, Creamy Flavor: The sauce combines cream, sundried tomatoes, and Italian herbs for a dreamy finish.
- Versatile Serving Options: Whether over rice, pasta, or veggies, it pairs beautifully every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe comes together with ingredients that are pantry staples plus a few flavorful extras. The balance of garlic, Italian seasoning, and that luxurious creamy sauce is what makes it just melt in your mouth. I always recommend using good quality chicken and don’t skip the sundried tomatoes—they add such a wonderful tangy depth!
- Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless work best for even cooking and easy shredding if you want.
- Minced garlic: Freshly minced packs the best punch, but jarred can work in a pinch.
- Minced onion: Adds subtle sweetness—feel free to use yellow or white onion.
- Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that brings all the warmth and coziness to the dish.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential seasoning, make sure to adjust to taste.
- Chicken broth: Use low sodium if you want more control over saltiness.
- Cornstarch: This thickens the sauce beautifully without clumping.
- Heavy cream: Adds richness and creaminess that makes this recipe special.
- Sundried tomatoes, oil drained: Their tangy sweetness is a game-changer—I always buy the packed-in-oil kind for best flavor.
Variations
While I love the classic Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Recipe as is, I’ve played around a bit to make it work for different tastes and dietary needs. Don’t hesitate to get creative here since the slow cooker is so forgiving—variety keeps things exciting in the kitchen!
- Make it dairy-free: I swapped the heavy cream for coconut milk once, and the flavor stayed rich but with a little tropical twist that was surprisingly delightful.
- Spice it up: Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes brings in a nice kick; my family loves it that way for a bit more heat.
- Swap the chicken: Using thighs makes this recipe super juicy and tender, especially if you like a darker meat option.
- Vegetable boost: Throw in some mushrooms or spinach during the last hour of cooking for extra nutrition and color.
How to Make Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Layer the Flavors
Start by placing the chicken breasts into the slow cooker—it’s best if they’re patted dry so the seasoning sticks better. Then sprinkle the minced garlic, minced onion, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper evenly over the chicken. I love doing this step because you can already smell all those amazing aromas coming together. This little bit of layering is key to building that deep, well-rounded flavor.
Step 2: Create the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and chicken broth until fully smooth—no lumps here! Pour this mixture over your seasoned chicken. Next, pour the heavy cream on top to add that creamy indulgence. Finally, drain the sundried tomatoes well and scatter them evenly over everything. Their tang and sweetness really balance the richness of the cream.
Step 3: Slow Cook to Perfection
Pop the lid on your slow cooker and set it to low for about eight hours. I usually start it early in the morning so it’s ready by dinner time. What I’ve learned is that cooking it low and slow is what makes the chicken incredibly tender and the sauce thick and luscious. Resist the urge to peek—every time you lift the lid, you reset the cooking time!
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Once it’s done, give it a gentle stir to combine all those beautiful flavors. The chicken will be juicy and coated in a creamy tangy sauce, perfect spooned over rice, mashed potatoes, or your favorite noodles. I also like to serve it with roasted veggies on the side. Trust me, it’s a total crowd-pleaser.
Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Recipe
- Pat Chicken Dry: Drying your chicken before seasoning helps the spices stick better and promotes even cooking.
- Don’t Skip Cornstarch: I learned the hard way—without cornstarch, the sauce can be too thin and watery.
- Use Oil-Packed Sundried Tomatoes: Draining but not skipping the sundried tomato oil keeps extra flavor in the dish.
- Resist Lid Lifting: Opening the slow cooker extends cooking time, so keep that lid closed for the perfect tender chicken.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or basil over the finished dish—it adds a pop of color and a fresh herbal note that cuts through the richness. A little grated Parmesan on top also amps up the flavor and makes it look extra inviting. If you want a zesty touch, a few lemon wedges served on the side brighten everything up nicely.
Side Dishes
My go-to is creamy mashed potatoes because they soak up that sauce so well, but I also swear by buttery egg noodles or a simple side of steamed green beans or roasted asparagus. This recipe is so versatile—you really can’t go wrong pairing it with your favorite carb or veggies.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, I love serving the chicken over a bed of creamy polenta, garnished with edible flowers and microgreens for an elegant touch. Another fun idea is to stuff the chicken into a crusty baguette for a creamy sandwich with a side salad. Presentation really elevates this slow cooker dish from weeknight staple to special occasion star!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens as it cools, so just give it a quick stir or splash of broth when reheating to bring it back to that silky consistency. It keeps beautifully, and I often look forward to the next day’s lunch!
Freezing
This recipe freezes really well. I portion it out before freezing so I can grab single servings on busy days. Just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove or microwave. The flavors deepen in the freezer, which is always a nice bonus.
Reheating
When reheating, I find warming it slowly on low heat in a saucepan works best to keep the chicken tender and prevent the cream sauce from breaking. Adding a splash of chicken broth helps loosen the sauce if it’s too thick. Microwave reheating is fine too; just cover to keep moisture in and stir halfway through.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in the Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Recipe?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe and tend to stay juicier after slow cooking. Just keep the same cook time, but make sure your thighs are skinless and boneless for the best results.
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What can I serve with this chicken to make a complete meal?
This dish pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, noodles, or even a hearty vegetable side like roasted asparagus or steamed broccoli. Pick what you and your family love to make it just right.
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Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot instead of a slow cooker?
Yes, you can adapt it! Use the sauté function to brown the chicken and soften aromatics, then pressure cook for about 10 minutes. Be sure to thicken the sauce afterward by simmering with the lid off. I’ve done this when short on time, and it’s a great workaround.
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How do I prevent the cream from curdling in the slow cooker?
Adding the heavy cream later in the cooking process is ideal, but since this recipe adds it at the start, the low and slow method helps prevent curdling. Also, avoid high heat settings and don’t overcook beyond the suggested time to keep the sauce silky smooth.
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Is the Sundried tomato oil necessary?
While you do drain the oil, the sundried tomato oil packs a lot of flavor. Using oil-packed tomatoes and draining them but not rinsing gives you the best taste. You can add a tablespoon of that oil into the slow cooker for extra richness if you like.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how the Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Recipe makes dinner one less thing to stress about. The creamy, dreamy sauce combined with tender chicken is a cozy hug on a plate. Over time, I’ve learned that putting it together is as satisfying as enjoying the meal itself, and sharing it with loved ones is the best part. If you’re looking for a recipe that’s both easy and feels special, you really can’t go wrong with this one—give it a try and see why I’m still making it again and again!
Print
Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts slow-cooked in a savory sauce made with garlic, onions, Italian seasoning, sundried tomatoes, and a rich combination of chicken broth and heavy cream. Perfect for an effortless meal, this recipe delivers comforting, melt-in-your-mouth chicken that pairs wonderfully with rice, mashed potatoes, noodles, or vegetables.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasonings
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon minced onion
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup sundried tomatoes, oil drained
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Place the chicken breasts into the slow cooker. Add the minced garlic, minced onion, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning evenly over the chicken.
- Make Sauce Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk the cornstarch into the chicken broth until fully dissolved, then pour this mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Add Cream and Tomatoes: Pour the heavy cream evenly over the chicken and sauce mixture. Drain the oil from the sundried tomatoes and add them into the slow cooker, distributing them around the chicken.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on the low setting for 8 hours to ensure tender and flavorful chicken.
- Serve: Once cooking is complete, serve the chicken with the creamy sauce over your choice of rice, mashed potatoes, noodles, or vegetables for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Nutrition values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredient brands.
- For extra flavor, consider adding fresh basil or parsley before serving.
- Can be made ahead and reheated gently to retain creaminess.
- Adjust seasoning to taste before serving if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 860 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
