Description
Crockpot Marry Me Chicken is a flavorful, creamy chicken dish slow-cooked to tender perfection. This recipe combines juicy chicken breasts with a rich sauce made from garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh thyme, cream, and Parmesan cheese, all cooked slowly in a crockpot for an easy, hands-off meal perfect for dinner gatherings or weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken
- 1.5 pounds chicken breast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 8 basil leaves, julienned
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Sprinkle both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with salt and pepper to enhance their flavor.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken breasts in the hot oil and cook each side for about 4 minutes, until lightly browned. This locks in juices. Then transfer the chicken to the crockpot.
- Sauté garlic and deglaze: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for one minute until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits for extra flavor.
- Make the creamy slurry: In a small bowl, whisk together heavy cream and cornstarch until smooth. Stir this mixture into the skillet broth and simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened. Pour this creamy sauce into the crockpot over the chicken.
- Add aromatics and spices: Mix in sun-dried tomatoes, fresh thyme sprigs, and red pepper flakes into the crockpot to infuse the dish with their bold flavors.
- Slow cook: Cover the crockpot and set it to low heat for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. This slow cooking tenderizes the chicken and blends all the flavors beautifully.
- Finish with cheese and herbs: About 15 minutes before serving, stir in grated Parmesan cheese to enrich the sauce. Top with fresh julienned basil leaves for a bright, fresh garnish. Serve warm and enjoy your comforting Crockpot Marry Me Chicken!
Notes
- Searing the chicken before adding it to the crockpot improves flavor and texture but can be skipped for convenience.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can increase the cornstarch to 3 tablespoons.
- Serve with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the luscious sauce.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, though the sauce will be less rich.
- If sun-dried tomatoes are oily, consider draining them slightly to avoid excess oiliness in the dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 chicken breast with sauce)
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
