Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Effortless Creamy Italian Comfort

Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken

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Preparation time:15 Mins

Cooking time:04 Hrs

Servings:4 servings

Ingredients:

• 5 lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil (for searing, optional)
• 1 tsp Dried Italian Seasoning
• 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
• 1/2 cup Low Sodium Chicken Broth
• 1/2 cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes (drained and chopped)
• 4 oz Cream Cheese (full-fat, cubed)
• 1/2 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
• 1/2 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese (plus extra for garnish)
• 2 Tbsp Fresh Chopped Basil or Parsley

Instructions:

• Season chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
• Optional but recommended: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken on both sides for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly golden. This builds flavour depth.
• Place the seared (or raw, seasoned) chicken breasts into the bottom of the slow cooker insert.
• Pour the chicken broth over the chicken and sprinkle the chopped sun-dried tomatoes around the chicken.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or on HIGH for 3–3.5 hours, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is easily shreddable.
• Carefully remove the chicken breasts and shred them using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
• Add the cubed cream cheese, heavy cream, and the 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese directly into the slow cooker liquid.
• Stir everything together thoroughly until the cream cheese has completely melted and the sauce is smooth and incorporated.
• Cover and cook on LOW for an additional 20–30 minutes to allow the sauce to fully integrate and thicken.
• Stir in the fresh herbs. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve immediately over pasta or starch.

Nutrition Facts

Calories	2288 kcal
Protein	23.5 g
Fat	43.8 g
Carbs	63.8 g
Fiber	12.0 g
Sodium	736 mg

Recipe Info

Category	Main Course
Cuisine	American

The Secret Behind the Unforgettable 'Marry Me' Craze

There’s a reason why this particular preparation of chicken has exploded across social media and family dinner tables alike: it earns its name. This dish isn't just tasty; it’s profoundly comforting, rich, and surprisingly simple to execute.

The concept behind "Marry Me Chicken" centers on a decadent, restaurant-quality sauce that feels impossibly luxurious for a weeknight meal. We are taking that famous, deeply savory profile—built around Parmesan, cream, and tangy sun-dried tomatoes—and translating it perfectly for the convenience of your slow cooker.

This is your blueprint for a wildly successful weeknight proposal to your palate.

Why the Slow Cooker is Your Best Ally for This Decadent Meal

While the stovetop version of this dish requires careful simmering, monitoring, and continuous stirring to prevent scorching, the slow cooker completely removes this anxiety. Utilizing a slow cooker for this recipe transforms a potentially hands-on creation into a genuinely passive cooking experience.

It allows the chicken to become fork-tender while the complex flavors of the sauce gently marry over several hours.

An Ode to Creamy Italian Comfort Food

At its heart, this is Italian-inspired comfort food executed flawlessly. The foundation involves tenderizing boneless, skinless chicken breasts—about 1.5 lbs worth—which become incredibly moist thanks to the humid, low-heat environment of the pot.

The resulting dish delivers that perfect balance: savory meat enveloped in a velvety hug of dairy and Italian herbs. It’s the kind of meal that satisfies deeply, proving that simplicity doesn't equate to a lack of sophistication.

Setting the Stage: What Makes This Recipe So Irresistible?

The allure lies in the ingredients chosen to build the sauce's character. We use just enough chicken broth as the initial liquid base, around 1/2 cup, to ensure the bottom doesn't burn, but it’s the addition of tangy sun-dried tomatoes (roughly 1/2 cup, drained and chopped) that provides the essential bright counterpoint to the richness that follows.

Seasoning the chicken upfront with a simple mix of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning sets the aromatic stage before the slow cooking even begins.

Goodbye, Stovetop Stress: Hello, Set-It-And-Forget-It

The true magic of using the slow cooker is the dramatic reduction in active cooking time. Prep involves maybe 15 minutes of seasoning and layering. Once everything is settled inside, you can walk away, knowing that whether you opt for 6 to 7 hours on LOW or a speedier 3 to 3. 5 hours on HIGH, you will return to perfectly cooked poultry. This makes the Easy Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken an ideal candidate for busy days when you want a spectacular dinner waiting for you.

Assembling the Hallmarks of the Perfect Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken Sauce

The sauce transformation is where this Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken Recipe truly shines. After the initial cook time, when the chicken is tender, we introduce the agents of decadence. It’s essential to use high-quality dairy here, as they form the backbone of the creamy texture.

Essential Components for Optimal Flavor Saturation

To achieve that signature creamy consistency and depth of flavour characteristic of Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken , a few core components are non-negotiable.

The Core Quartet: Chicken Cuts and Dairy Staples

For the protein, we stick with 1.5 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, which absorb the sauce beautifully. The dairy components are crucial: a 4 oz block of full-fat cream cheese, cubed for even melting, and 1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream. Do not substitute the cream cheese with a lighter alternative if you want the authentic, thick consistency that defines this dish. These ingredients are added after the chicken has cooked through.

Unlocking Depth: Herbs, Spices, and Sun-Dried Tomato Oil

While we season the chicken simply before cooking, the flavor profile is deepened by the inclusions. Those chopped sun-dried tomatoes lend a chewy texture and concentrated sweetness.

If you are using tomatoes packed in oil, utilizing a tiny drizzle of that flavorful oil (perhaps 1 teaspoon) when searing the chicken (if you choose to sear) adds an extra layer of complexity. Finally, we finish the dish with 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped basil or parsley for color and freshness.

Tools of the Trade: Necessary Slow Cooker Setup

You'll need at least a 4-quart slow cooker for this amount of food to ensure proper circulation and even cooking. While searing the chicken beforehand is optional, it’s highly recommended for flavour building, so a sturdy skillet capable of handling medium-high heat will be required for those initial two minutes per side.

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Crafting the Velvety Sauce Base

The process begins with seasoning your chicken and placing it snugly in the slow cooker insert. Pour in your 1/2 cup of low-sodium chicken broth and distribute the chopped sun-dried tomatoes around the meat. This initial liquid is essential for creating steam and preventing any drying out during the long cook cycle.

If you skip the optional sear, this broth will become the flavorful foundation upon which the rest of the sauce builds itself.

The Slow Simmer Sequence for Tender Perfection

Patience is the secret ingredient here, especially when making an Easy Marry Me Chicken Slow Cooker meal. We allow the low, consistent heat to work its magic before we even think about adding the rich ingredients.

Prep Work: Layering Ingredients for Flavor Infusion

Once the seasoned chicken, tomatoes, and broth are layered, the slow cooker lid goes on. The initial layering prioritizes tenderizing the protein first. The chicken breasts should be nestled into the liquid, not fully submerged, as they will release moisture during cooking.

Setting the Timer: Low and Slow Cooking Dynamics

For the most tender results, setting the timer for 6 to 7 hours on the LOW setting is ideal for our Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken Thighs (or breasts). If time is short, 3 to 3. 5 hours on HIGH will suffice, but always confirm doneness with a meat thermometer reading 165° F ( 74° C) before proceeding.

The Grand Finale: Thickening and Final Flavor Adjustments

Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it temporarily to shred it. Now, add the cubed cream cheese, 1/2 cup of heavy cream, and 1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese directly into the hot liquid left in the pot. Stir vigorously until the cream cheese melts smoothly into a rich, cohesive sauce. Return the shredded chicken to the sauce, cover, and cook for just 20 to 30 minutes more on LOW. This final gentle simmer allows the shredded meat to absorb every bit of the glorious sauce. Taste and adjust seasonings before stirring in your fresh herbs.

Elevating Your Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken Presentation

While this Marry Me Chicken Slow Cooker Recipe is inherently rustic and comforting, a few touches can elevate it to showstopper status. After stirring in the fresh herbs, serve the mixture over a bed of pasta, such as linguine or pappardelle, creating a wonderful Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken Pasta dish that captures every drop of sauce. Alternatively, for a lower-carb approach, spoon the saucy chicken over creamy mashed cauliflower or a bed of fluffy rice. A final dusting of extra freshly grated Parmesan right before serving adds visual appeal and a final savory punch.

Storing Leftovers and Serving Suggestions Beyond Dinner Time

This dish is famous for tasting even better the next day, making it a fantastic candidate for meal prepping or quick lunches.

Pairing Pointers: What Carbs and Veggies Complete the Plate?

The richness of this sauce begs for something simple to soak it up. Beyond the pasta suggestion, wide egg noodles are excellent carriers. For a vegetable side, tender-crisp steamed asparagus or sautéed green beans provide the necessary freshness and slight crunch to contrast the creaminess.

Don't forget a side of crusty bread for true sauce mop-up duty!

Freezing and Reheating: Maintaining Creamy Integrity

If you find yourself with leftovers, freezing is quite viable, though be aware that high-fat sauces can sometimes separate slightly upon thawing. Store cooled portions in airtight containers. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Warm gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring constantly.

If the sauce seems slightly grainy, whisking in an extra splash of milk or heavy cream during reheating usually restores its luxurious texture.

Variations on the Theme: Spice Levels and Ingredient Swaps

If you prefer a bit of a kick in your Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken , incorporate 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes along with your initial seasonings. For a lighter take on the sauce, you can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half, though this will result in a thinner sauce that may require the cornstarch slurry trick mentioned earlier to thicken properly. Plus,, adding a cup of fresh spinach during the final 15 minutes wilts beautifully into the sauce, offering a subtle earthy note and extra color.