Description
Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken is a creamy, flavorful slow-cooked chicken recipe featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich sauce of sun-dried tomatoes, white wine, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. The chicken is first seared for a golden crust, then slow-cooked to perfection with herbs and spices, resulting in a dish that’s perfect served over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp oil (use oil from sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor)
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Sauce
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- ½ cup white wine (or chicken broth)
- ½ cup heavy cream (or sour cream)
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp cold water (optional, for thickening)
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped
- Extra Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides thoroughly with salt, pepper, dried Italian herbs, garlic powder, and paprika to infuse flavor into the meat.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat butter and oil (preferably sun-dried tomato oil) in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken breasts on each side for 2-3 minutes until golden brown, creating a flavorful crust.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Place the seared chicken breasts into the slow cooker, laying them flat to cook evenly.
- Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Liquid: Sprinkle chopped sun-dried tomatoes over the chicken, then pour the white wine or chicken broth evenly on top to provide moisture and depth of flavor during cooking.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on LOW setting for 1.5 to 2 hours, or on HIGH for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and is tender.
- Remove Chicken: Take the cooked chicken out of the slow cooker and set aside, keeping it warm.
- Prepare Cream Sauce: Stir the heavy cream or sour cream into the slow cooker liquid and warm it through gently to combine flavors.
- Thicken Sauce (optional): If a thicker sauce is desired, mix the cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp cold water) into the sauce and cook on HIGH for an additional 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened.
- Add Cheese and Herbs: Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley or basil to enrich the sauce with creamy texture and herbaceous notes.
- Return Chicken to Sauce: Place the chicken breasts back into the slow cooker, coating them well with the creamy Parmesan sauce to absorb more flavor.
- Serve: Serve the Marry Me Chicken warm, ideally over your choice of pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes to soak up the luscious sauce.
- Garnish: Sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese and additional fresh herbs on top for an eye-catching presentation and enhanced taste.
Notes
- For a non-alcoholic version, substitute white wine with chicken broth.
- Searing the chicken first adds depth of flavor and helps lock in juices.
- If you prefer a lighter sauce, use sour cream instead of heavy cream.
- The cornstarch slurry is optional but recommended for a thicker, more luxurious sauce.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or basil brighten the dish and add a fresh aroma.
- Serve with your favorite starch like pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes to complement the creamy sauce perfectly.
