Crock Pot Sun-Dried Tomato & Parmesan Marry Me Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken is a creamy, flavorful slow-cooked dish that’s perfect for busy days. Tender chicken breasts simmer in a savory sauce with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan, making it an irresistible meal for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, drained
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 6-8 fresh basil leaves, chopped

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 teaspoon salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Season the chicken breasts on both sides with this mixture.
2. Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and butter, allowing the butter to melt.
3. Step 3: Sear the chicken breasts on both sides until golden brown. Remove the pan from heat and set aside. The chicken is not fully cooked yet, just browned. Keep the leftover oil and butter in the pan.
4. Step 4: In a bowl, whisk together chicken broth and cornstarch until smooth and lump-free.
5. Step 5: Pour the chicken broth mixture into the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker.
6. Step 6: Whisk in heavy cream, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and paprika into the slow cooker.
7. Step 7: Place the seared chicken breasts in the slow cooker, then pour the reserved olive oil and butter from the pan over the chicken.
8. Step 8: Top each chicken breast with chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Avoid cooking on high, and do not lift the lid while cooking to keep the chicken tender.
9. Step 9: Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Whisk in the parmesan cheese into the sauce, then return the chicken to the slow cooker. Cover with sauce, sprinkle with chopped fresh basil, and serve.

Tips & Variations

• If you prefer a smoother sauce, add the heavy cream at the end of cooking to avoid curdling.
• For extra heat, increase the red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Serve over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce.
• Use fresh sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for a richer flavor.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave to prevent the sauce from separating. This dish doesn’t freeze well due to the cream, so it’s best enjoyed fresh.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work well and will be even more tender. Adjust cooking time as needed, but 6-8 hours on low should still work.

Why should I avoid cooking on high heat?

Cooking on low heat allows the chicken to become tender without drying out or toughening. High heat can also cause the creamy sauce to separate or curdle.

Crock Pot Sun-Dried Tomato & Parmesan Marry Me Chicken Recipe

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Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken is a comforting and flavorful slow-cooked dish featuring tender chicken breasts in a rich, creamy sauce infused with garlic, Italian seasoning, sun-dried tomatoes, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Perfect for an easy yet impressive meal, this recipe uses simple ingredients and the slow cooker to develop deliciously deep flavors with minimal effort.

• Author: Clara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours
• Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

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Chicken and Seasoning

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For Searing

• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 2 Tablespoons butter

Sauce Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, drained
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 6–8 fresh basil leaves, chopped

Instructions

1. Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Rub the seasoning mix evenly on both sides of the 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts for flavor.
2. Sear the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter. Once the butter has melted, add the chicken breasts and sear on both sides until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. The goal is not to cook through but to develop a flavorful crust. Remove from heat and keep the leftover oil and butter in the pan for later use.
3. Prepare the Sauce Base: In a bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups chicken broth and 3 tablespoons cornstarch until smooth and free of lumps. This will help thicken the sauce during slow cooking.
4. Add Sauce Ingredients to Slow Cooker: Pour the chicken broth mixture into the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Add 1 cup heavy cream, 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and 1/2 teaspoon paprika. Whisk everything together until well combined.
5. Combine Chicken and Sauce: Place the seared chicken breasts into the slow cooker, then pour the skillet’s leftover olive oil and butter over the chicken. Top each piece with the chopped sun-dried tomatoes to add tang and texture.
6. Slow Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. Avoid cooking on high to prevent curdling of the cream. Do not lift the lid during cooking, as this will lengthen cooking time and possibly affect tenderness. Larger chicken breasts may require the full 8 hours to become tender.
7. Finish the Dish: Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker. Whisk in 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce until melted and smooth. Return the chicken to the slow cooker, spoon sauce over the top, and sprinkle with 6-8 chopped fresh basil leaves for freshness.
8. Serve: Serve the chicken warm with the creamy, flavorful sauce spooned over the top. Enjoy with your favorite sides such as pasta, rice, or vegetables.

Notes

• For best results, use full-fat heavy cream; reducing or omitting it may cause the sauce to lose creaminess or become lumpy after long cooking.
• Do not cook on high in the slow cooker to prevent the cream from curdling; low and slow is essential for a smooth sauce.
• Resist lifting the slow cooker lid during cooking to maintain heat and moisture, ensuring tender chicken.
• Searing chicken before slow cooking adds depth of flavor and color but does not fully cook the chicken.
• Sun-dried tomatoes add a vibrant, tangy note—make sure they are well drained to avoid excess moisture in the slow cooker.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can remove the chicken near the end of cooking and increase heat to high for 10-15 minutes to reduce sauce before adding Parmesan cheese.

Keywords: crock pot chicken, marry me chicken, slow cooker chicken recipe, creamy chicken, Italian chicken dish, slow cooked chicken breasts