Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken: A Dish So Good, You’ll Want to Say “I Do”
If you’re looking for a dish that’s comforting, flavorful, and sure to impress, Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken is the answer. This creamy, savory chicken dish is a perfect balance of rich flavors, and it’s made effortlessly in your slow cooker. Whether you’re cooking for your family or preparing a special dinner for someone you love, this recipe will make you feel like a culinary genius.
Bold flavor with minimal effort, this one is a win! Serve marry me chicken with this Garlic Bread Twists Recipe!
This recipe uses chicken thighs to keep the chicken moist and tender, and can be served in a number of ways, my preference is over noodles. The chicken cooks down and easily shreds, but can be cooked for a slightly shorter period of time if you want to serve it as whole pieces of chicken. Chicken breasts can also be substituted for thighs in this recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chicken:
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
For the Sauce:
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ⅓ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (drained)
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 10 fresh basil leaves, chopped
How to Make Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken
This recipe is as simple as it is delicious! Here’s how to make the best Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken:
1. Season the Chicken
In a small bowl, combine paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Then season the chicken thighs on both sides with spice mixture. This will give the chicken an initial layer of flavor before cooking.
2. Sear the Chicken
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil and butter. Once the butter is melted, sear the chicken thighs for about 2-3 minutes on each side until a golden brown crust forms. The goal is to get a nice crust on the chicken, but you don’t need to cook it through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
3. Make the Sauce
In the crock for the crockpot, whisk together the chicken broth and cornstarch until smooth and free of lumps.
In a large liquid measuring cup, whisk together the heavy cream, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and paprika.
4. Add the Chicken and Sundried Tomatoes
Place the seared chicken thighs into the slow cooker. Pour the olive oil and butter from the skillet over the chicken. Pour the heavy cream mixture into the crockpot, then stir until everything is combined. Top each chicken breast with chopped sundried tomatoes.
5. Slow Cook the Chicken
Set your slow cooker to low and cook for 5-6 hours, allowing the chicken is cooked through, and tender. Don’t worry if the sauce separates slightly while cooking — just stir it back together at the end!
6. Finish the Sauce
Add parmesan cheese, and stir everything up, the chicken will shred. Serve sprinkled with fresh basil leaves! I like to serve it over pasta noodles.
Tips for the Best Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken
Searing the Chicken: Don’t skip the searing step! Browning the chicken thighs before adding them to the slow cooker enhances the flavor and gives the chicken a beautiful golden crust.
Sun-dried Tomatoes: Make sure to use drained sun-dried tomatoes to avoid excess oil in the sauce. Their sweet-tart flavor pairs beautifully with the creamy sauce.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese works best in this recipe. Pre-grated cheese doesn’t melt as smoothly and may affect the texture of your sauce.
Basil: Fresh basil adds the perfect herbaceous touch right before serving. It’s best to sprinkle it on top just before serving so it stays vibrant and aromatic.
What to Serve With Marry Me Chicken
Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken is creamy, flavorful, and hearty on its own, but it’s even better when paired properly! Here are some ideas for what to serve alongside this dish:
- Pasta: Serve it over pasta like fettuccine, bowtie, spaghetti, or penne to soak up that amazing sauce.
- Rice: A bed of fluffy white rice or risotto works wonderfully to balance out the richness of the sauce.
- Steamed Veggies: Try steamed broccoli, green beans, or asparagus for a light and healthy side.
- Garlic Bread: You can’t go wrong with some crispy garlic bread to dip into that creamy sauce.
Remaking Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers of this delicious dish (though we can’t guarantee that!), don’t worry! Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken is versatile and can be used in various ways:
Chicken Alfredo: Use the leftover chicken and sauce combined with 15 Minute Alfredo to make a delicious Alfredo pasta. Just heat it up with some cooked pasta, and you’ve got a quick, creamy dinner!
Chicken Salad: Shred the leftover chicken and mix it with mayo, Greek yogurt, or mustard to create a creamy chicken salad. Add some celery, apple, and onions for extra crunch.
Chicken Wraps: Use the leftover chicken in tortillas with fresh veggies, cheese, and a drizzle of ranch or Caesar dressing for an easy and satisfying wrap.
Pizza: Turn your leftovers into a pizza topping! Spread the creamy chicken and sauce over a pizza crust and bake with mozzarella cheese and a sprinkle of fresh basil.
Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken
This dish is packed with flavor and is so easy to make. The slow cooker does all the work for you, making it the perfect dish for a busy weeknight or a special occasion. With tender chicken, a creamy, flavorful sauce, and the richness of Parmesan and sundried tomatoes, it’s a dish that will truly make you fall in love with cooking. You’ll be hooked after just one bite!
So, next time you want a dinner that’s both simple and impressive, make Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken. It’s easy, delicious, and guaranteed to be a hit with your family or guests!
More Crock Pot Recipes
- Crock Pot Baked Potato Soup
- Crock Pot Philly Cheesesteak (Keto)
- Crock Pot Smothered Pork Chops
- Crock Pot Chicken Thighs
- Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff
Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
For the Sauce:
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ⅓ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes drained
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 10 fresh basil leaves chopped
Instructions
Season the Chicken
- In a small bowl, combine paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Then season the chicken thighs on both sides with spice mixture. This will give the chicken an initial layer of flavor before cooking.
Sear the Chicken
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil and butter. Once the butter is melted, sear the chicken thighs for about 2-3 minutes on each side until a golden brown crust forms. The goal is to get a nice crust on the chicken, but you don’t need to cook it through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
Make the Sauce
- In the crock for the crockpot, whisk together the chicken broth and cornstarch until smooth and free of lumps.
- In a large liquid measuring cup, whisk together the heavy cream, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and paprika.
Add the Chicken and Sundried Tomatoes
- Place the seared chicken thighs into the slow cooker. Pour the olive oil and butter from the skillet over the chicken. Pour the heavy cream mixture into the crockpot, then stir until everything is combined. Top each chicken breast with chopped sundried tomatoes.
Slow Cook the Chicken
- Set your slow cooker to low and cook for 5-6 hours, allowing the chicken is cooked through, and tender. Don’t worry if the sauce separates slightly while cooking — just stir it back together at the end!
Finish the Sauce
- Add parmesan cheese, and stir everything up, the chicken will shred. Serve sprinkled with fresh basil leaves! I like to serve it over pasta noodles.
Nutrition
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
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