Everyone loves a recipe name that’s as delightful as the dish itself—and “Marry Me Chicken” is known for inspiring pure devotion from the very first bite. In this slow cooker version, tender chicken gets cozy in a velvety, sun-dried tomato cream sauce that’s elegant enough for dinner guests yet simple enough for your busiest weeknight.
Ingredients
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts if you prefer)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup sliced sun-dried tomatoes (drained of excess oil)
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. In a skillet over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil and quickly brown the chicken on each side—this step locks in flavor. Transfer the browned chicken to the slow cooker.
2. In the same skillet, sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Carefully pour in the chicken broth, scraping up the browned bits from the pan. Let it simmer for a minute.
3. Stir in the heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes if you’d like a little kick. Mix well, then pour this creamy mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker.
4. Cover and cook on low for about 4–5 hours (or on high for about 2–3 hours), until the chicken is impossibly tender. Thirty minutes before serving, sprinkle the Parmesan cheese on top, letting it melt into the sauce.
5. Serve each piece of chicken topped with a generous spoonful (or two) of the luscious sauce. This dish is perfect alongside mashed potatoes, pasta, or a hearty chunk of bread for dipping.
In this recipe, the slow cooker does the work while infusing everything with bold, comforting flavors. It’s a go-to for busy families, for couples looking to impress one another, or for anyone craving a restaurant-quality meal at home. You can lighten things up by using half-and-half instead of heavy cream or adding extra veggies like spinach or mushrooms. No matter how you tailor it, this Swoon-Worthy Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken is bound to steal hearts—and quite possibly inspire a proposal or two.
Nathaniel Lee is an avid cook, drawing on his decades of home cooking and fine dining experience. He is a contributing chef at Mashed, and his recipes and contributions have been featured in Tasting Table, Edible Arrangements, Insanely Good Recipes, and The Daily Meal.
