An amazing Tuscan dish made easy in the slow cooker! This Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken is slow cooked to tender perfection and smothered in a creamy, savory sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan cheese. The perfect way to win anyone over!
If you love Tuscan dishes, you’re in the right place! Here are a few more of my favorite recipes to try: Marry Me Salmon, creamy Tuscan ravioli, and Tuscan garlic tortellini soup!
Marry Me Chicken in Crock Pot
Creamy Tuscan garlic chicken, also known as “Marry Me Chicken,” is one of my most popular recipes on the blog and for good reason! The chicken is so tender and juicy, and that sauce made with sun-dried tomatoes and melty parmesan? So good that everyone in your family will be begging for seconds. I decided to make a slow cooker version of this dish, this way you can just ‘set it and forget it’ and come home to the best dinner ever.
This Crock Pot Marry me Chicken is a winner when it comes to effortless, delicious dinners. You start with seasoned chicken breasts seared to perfection, then let them soak up in that creamy, flavorful sauce made with butter, garlic, chicken broth, cream, and parmesan cheese. Toss in some sun-dried tomatoes and Italian seasoning for that extra zing. Then let your crockpot do the work, and in a few hours, you’ve got tender chicken in a flavorful creamy sauce. Serve it over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes, and you’ve got the perfect dinner on your hands!
Ingredient List
You’d be surprised how a handful of humble ingredients can transform into something ridiculously good. Here is everything you need to put this Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken together! (Exact measurements are in the recipe card below.)
- Chicken Breasts: These bad boys turn tender and juicy, soaking up all the saucy goodness. You can also use chicken thighs if you prefer.
- Salt and Pepper: The simple seasonings that amp up the flavor of the Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken, making it taste extra awesome.
- Olive Oil: Helps give the chicken that perfect sear. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside!
- Butter: Adds a creamy, rich texture to the sauce. I used unsalted butter since we add salt separately.
- Garlic: Gives that amazing smell and strong savory flavor, making the sauce a flavor bomb.
- Flour: Makes the sauce nice and thick. You could also use a cornstarch slurry as a gluten-free option.
- Chicken Broth: Forms the base of the sauce and adds a savory flavor. You can also use chicken stock or vegetable broth as a substitute.
- Heavy Cream: Makes the sauce super creamy and dreamy.
- Parmesan Cheese: Melts into the sauce, bringing that salty, cheesy goodness we all crave.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: I used jarred sundried tomatoes for a sweet and tangy kick. This is what makes the Crock Pot Marry Me chicken so good, in my opinion.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of tasty herbs (like oregano, basil, and thyme) giving the sauce that classic Italian taste.
- Fresh Basil (for garnish): The finishing touch, making everything look and smell fantastic. It’s like the cherry on top, but better – it’s basil!
How to Make Marry Me Chicken in the Slow Cooker
Give those chicken breasts a quick sear, then pop everything in the Crock Pot and let it work its magic! If you have the time, I recommend cooking on low for 5-6 hours. This way the chicken will be as soft and tender as possible.
- Season: Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Sear: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 3-5 minutes on both sides until the chicken is just browned on the outside. You don’t need to cook the chicken because it will continue to fully cook in the crockpot.
- Transfer to Plate: Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate while you make the sauce.
- Make Roux: Return to the same skillet, and add the butter. Once it is melted, sauté the garlic for 30 seconds until it’s fragrant. Add in the flour and stir to make a paste.
- Add Broth, Cheese, and Seasonings: Whisk in the chicken broth, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning.
- Simmer: Simmer the sauce for a few minutes for it to thicken.
- Add to Crock Pot: Pour the sauce into the bottom of the crockpot then layer the chicken on top of the sauce. Then add the drained sun-dried tomatoes to the top of the chicken.
- Slow Cook: Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 5-6 hours.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh basil leaves and serve warm over pasta.
Tips and Tricks
So your Marry Me Chicken turns out perfectly, here are a handful of extra tips to keep in mind:
- Sear the Chicken: Give those chicken breasts a good sear before you add them to your clow cooker. It helps lock in all the tasty juices and make them nice and tender.
- Make it Cheesy: Don’t skimp on the parmesan. Once it melts down it makes the sauce velvety-smooth. Go generous!
- Cook Low and Slow: Yeah, you can do a quick cook, but letting this dish simmer low and slow for 5-6 hours brings out all the flavors. Patience is key!
- Customize the Seasonings: Italian seasoning is the base, but feel free to add a pinch of paprika or red pepper flakes to kick up the flavor of the Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken.
- Add Veggies: Toss in some spinach or mushrooms for that extra veggie boost. They play nicely with the creamy sauce and get nice and tender in the slow cooker.
- Serve With: Sure, pasta is a classic choice, but this Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken also shines over rice, mashed potatoes, or served with crusty bread for dipping. Get creative!
Storing Leftover Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken
If you have leftovers of your Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken, keep them! They’ll taste great the next day.
- In the Refrigerator: Keep in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- To Reheat: Transfer leftovers to a skillet and heat over medium heat until warmed through, stirring frequently.
More Easy and Delicious Tuscan Recipes
Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Kosher salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoon butter
- 2 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoon flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
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Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper.
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In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 3-5 minutes on both sides until the chicken is just browned on the outside. You don’t need to cook the chicken because it will continue to fully cook in the crockpot.
-
Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate while you make the sauce.
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Return to the same skillet, and add the butter. Once it is melted, sauté the garlic for 30 seconds until it’s fragrant. Add in the flour and stir to make a paste.
-
Whisk in the chicken broth, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning.
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Simmer the sauce for a few minutes for it to thicken.
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Pour the sauce into the bottom of the crockpot then layer the chicken on top of the sauce.
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Add the drained sun-dried tomatoes to the top of the chicken.
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Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 5-6 hours.
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Garnish with chopped fresh basil leaves and serve warm over pasta.
Nutrition
from The Recipe Critic
