Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken is rich, creamy, and deeply comforting. It's the kind of dinner that feels a little indulgent but is surprisingly simple to make.
Tender chicken breasts slow-cook in a luscious garlic-parmesan cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes until everything becomes silky, savory, and absolutely spoon-worthy.
It's the classic "Marry Me" flavor profile made even easier in the slow cooker; minimal effort, maximum payoff. For more slow cooker recipes, you've got to try this Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole, my Slow Cooker Mississippi Casserole, and this Slow Cooker Rump Roast next.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts: Tender, lean protein that becomes soft and juicy as it slowly cooks in the sauce
- Garlic powder: Builds a deep savory base flavor throughout the dish
- Italian seasoning: Brings herbal warmth and classic Italian-inspired depth
- Garlic: Fresh aromatic flavor that infuses the sauce as it cooks
- Chicken broth: Adds moisture and savoury depth to the cream sauce
- Heavy cream: Creates a rich, silky base for the signature creamy texture
- Parmesan cheese: Adds saltiness, umami, and helps thicken the sauce naturally
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Sweet, tangy bursts that cut through the richness of the cream
- Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce into a glossy, clingy consistency
- Fresh basil: Bright, fragrant finish that lifts the entire dish
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place the chicken breasts directly into the slow cooker in an even layer. Add the salt, pepper, garlic powder, chicken broth and Italian seasoning. Add minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes over the chicken.
- Step 2: Pour in the heavy cream.
- Step 3: Sprinkle Parmesan over the top.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low.
- Step 5: Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside while you thicken the sauce. Mix cornstarch and water into a slurry, then stir it into the slow cooker sauce.
- Step 6: Return the chicken to the slow cooker and cook for a further 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and finish with fresh basil.
Substitutions
- Chicken breasts: Can be replaced with boneless chicken thighs
- Heavy cream: Half-and-half can be used for a lighter sauce (though slightly less creamy)
- Parmesan cheese: Pecorino Romano works well instead
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Can be swapped for cherry tomatoes
- Chicken broth: Vegetable broth can be used if that's what you have on hand
- Cornstarch: Arrowroot powder can be used as an alternative thickener
Variations
- Add baby spinach in the last 10 to 15 minutes of cooking for a classic Tuscan chicken feel
- Some red pepper flakes or a spoon of Calabrian chili paste
- Fold in some sliced mushrooms at the beginning
- Stir in a spoonful of cream cheese at the end
- Serve over zucchini noodles, cauliflower mash, or steamed greens instead of pasta or rice
What to Serve With Marry Me Chicken
That cream sauce needs something to soak it up.
- Pasta - Penne, rigatoni, or linguine. Spoon the sauce right over the top.
- Mashed potatoes - Probably the coziest option.
- Rice - Plain white rice lets the sun-dried tomatoes shine.
- Crusty bread - For wiping the plate clean.
- Something green - Roasted broccoli, green beans, or a Caesar salad on the side.
Equipment
A 4-6 quart slow cooker works best for this recipe, along with a small bowl to mix the cornstarch slurry and a spoon to stir the sauce.
Tongs help you remove and return the chicken cleanly.
Storage
Store: I keep the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days
Reheat: Warm leftovers gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or cream if needed
Freeze: Store in sealed containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating
Top tip
Cornstarch Slurry. For the creamiest, most restaurant-style sauce, stir in the cornstarch slurry gradually and let it cook through at the end; the sauce will thicken and turn glossy as it rests, clinging perfectly to the chicken.
Use chicken breasts of similar size. They'll finish cooking at the same time.
Drain oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes. Extra oil floats on top of the cream sauce.
Don't lift the lid. Every peek lets heat out and adds time.
Check the chicken. It's done at 165°F on an instant-read thermometer. Start checking at 4 hours on low.
Grate your own Parmesan. Freshly grated melts into the sauce more smoothly than the shaker kind.
FAQ
Yes, chicken thighs work beautifully and stay extra juicy.
No. Thaw it in the fridge first. Frozen chicken spends too long at unsafe temperatures in a slow cooker.
Yes. Cook it on high for 2 to 3 hours instead of low for 4 to 5.
Mix another tablespoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of water. Stir it in and cook on high, lid on, for 15 more minutes.
Sure. Shred it with two forks right in the slow cooker and stir it into the sauce. It's great over pasta that way.
Yes. Stir in a few handfuls of baby spinach during the last 10 to 15 minutes.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup chicken broth 240ml
- 1 cup heavy cream 240ml
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese 50g
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped (70g)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch 8g
- 1 tablespoon water 15ml
- Fresh basil for serving
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts into the slow cooker.
- Season with the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Scatter the minced garlic and chopped sun-dried tomatoes over the chicken.
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream.
- Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Cover and cook on Low for 4-5 hours or High for 2-3 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Remove the chicken and place on a plate.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry.
- Stir the slurry into the sauce in the slow cooker.
- Return the chicken to the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook for a further 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Spoon the sauce over the chicken and garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
All nutritional information provided is an estimate. For specific dietary needs or concerns, we recommend consulting a nutrition calculator or a qualified expert.
Karen Kelly
Karen Kelly is a nationally syndicated food and travel writer, founder of Seasonal Cravings, and co-founder of The Roam Report. She develops approachable seasonal recipes and covers travel and lifestyle trends. Her work has appeared in numerous media outlets, including Yahoo, Taste of Home, Apple News, NBC, FOX, and other national and regional publications.
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