This Crockpot Marry Me Chicken transforms ordinary chicken breasts into restaurant-quality comfort food with barely any effort. The creamy parmesan sauce studded with tangy sun-dried tomatoes creates a dish so impressive, it earned its romantic name for good reason.
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Ingredients for Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
I’ve tested this recipe dozens of times to perfect the ingredient ratios, and I can tell you that quality truly matters here. The heavy cream creates that luxurious sauce texture you’re after, while freshly grated parmesan melts smoothly without any graininess. For sun-dried tomatoes, I always choose the oil-packed variety because they’re already tender and add richness to the sauce.
- 4-5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6-7 oz each, similar size)
- 1 packet Italian seasoning mix – I recommend a quality blend with visible herbs for best flavor
- 1 cup heavy cream (don’t substitute with half-and-half as it won’t create the same richness)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth – In my experience, low-sodium works best so you control the salt level
- 3/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained and chopped)
- 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated – My preference is always freshly grated from a block for smoother melting
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (fresh garlic beats jarred every time)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes – I usually start with 1/4 tsp when cooking for young children
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
Step-by-Step Instructions
I recommend using a 4-6 quart crockpot for this recipe, and patting your chicken completely dry before seasoning helps the spices stick better. Through years of slow cooker experience, I’ve learned that proper layering and timing make all the difference.
Step 1: Pat the chicken breasts thoroughly dry with paper towels, then season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and paprika. Arrange them in a single layer at the bottom of your crockpot without overlapping. This ensures each piece cooks evenly and absorbs the sauce properly throughout.
Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes until smooth and well combined. The mixture should look cohesive with no cream separation. Pour this creamy base evenly over the chicken breasts, making sure each piece gets coated.
Step 3: Scatter the drained and chopped sun-dried tomatoes over the sauce, distributing them as evenly as possible. Cover your crockpot with the lid and set it to low heat. Cook for 3.5-4 hours, starting your temperature check at 3 hours for smaller breasts or 3.5 hours for larger ones. The chicken is perfectly done when it reaches 165°F internally and feels tender when pierced with a fork.
Step 4: About 30 minutes before you’re ready to serve, stir in the grated parmesan cheese, mixing it gently throughout the sauce. This timing prevents the cheese from becoming grainy or separated. If your sauce seems thin, remove the lid for the final 15-20 minutes to let it thicken naturally. Let it continue cooking so the cheese melts completely into a velvety coating.
Step 5: Just before serving, taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. Sprinkle fresh chopped basil over the top for a burst of color and herbaceous flavor. Serve the chicken with plenty of that creamy sauce spooned over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes to soak up every delicious drop.
Perfect Pairings for Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
This rich, creamy chicken deserves sides that complement its indulgent sauce while adding variety and nutrition to your plate.
Garlic Butter Rice: Fluffy white or jasmine rice works beautifully here, and if you want something extra special, try this coconut chicken and rice preparation method. The rice soaks up every drop of that parmesan sauce.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes: Garlic herb mashed potatoes create the ultimate comfort food pairing, their smooth texture perfectly matched to the velvety sauce while providing satisfying substance that rounds out the meal.
Roasted Green Beans: Simple roasted green beans with a squeeze of lemon provide a fresh, crisp contrast to the creamy richness of the chicken, plus they add essential vegetables and bright color to balance the plate.
Caesar Salad: A crisp Caesar salad with crunchy romaine and sharp parmesan dressing echoes the Italian flavors of the main dish while adding refreshing greens that cut through the richness beautifully.
Garlic Bread: Warm, toasted garlic bread serves double duty as both a side dish and the perfect vehicle for scooping up every last bit of sauce. You could also try these garlic bread rolls for individual portions.
Orzo Pasta: If you love the creamy sauce, serve it over sun-dried tomato chicken orzo for a complete one-dish meal that amplifies the Mediterranean flavors.
Storing and Reheating Tips
This chicken stores beautifully in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight as the chicken continues to absorb the sauce, making leftovers even more delicious than the original meal.
For reheating, I recommend the stovetop method with a splash of chicken broth or cream to refresh the sauce. Heat gently over medium-low heat until warmed through, about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. If using a microwave, set it to 50% power and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each, to prevent the sauce from separating or the chicken from becoming rubbery.
You can freeze this dish for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers. Pro tip: slightly undercook the chicken by about 15 minutes if you know you’ll be freezing it, as it will cook a bit more during reheating and stay more tender. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating using the methods above.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe and actually stay even more tender and juicy. Reduce the cooking time slightly to 2.5-3 hours on low since thighs cook faster than breasts.
Why is my sauce too thin?
If your sauce seems watery, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow excess moisture to evaporate naturally. You can also mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir it into the sauce to help thicken it quickly.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
While the creaminess is essential to this dish, you can substitute full-fat coconut cream for heavy cream and use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan for a dairy-free version, though the flavor profile will be different from the traditional recipe.
Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the chicken breasts thoroughly dry with paper towels, then season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and paprika. Arrange them in a single layer at the bottom of your 4-6 quart crockpot without overlapping.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes until smooth and well combined. Pour this creamy mixture evenly over the chicken breasts.
- Scatter the drained and chopped sun-dried tomatoes over the sauce, distributing them evenly. Cover your crockpot with the lid and set it to low heat. Cook for 3.5-4 hours, checking temperature at 3 hours for smaller breasts or 3.5 hours for larger ones until chicken reaches 165 degrees F internally.
- About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the grated parmesan cheese, mixing it gently throughout the sauce. If sauce seems thin, remove the lid for the final 15-20 minutes. Let it continue cooking so the cheese melts completely.
- Just before serving, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Sprinkle fresh chopped basil over the top and serve with plenty of sauce over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
