Marry me chicken crock pot is more than just a recipe it’s a love story on a plate. I still remember the first time I made marry me chicken crock pot in my tiny Berlin kitchen. Rain tapped against the windows, and the aroma of garlic, Parmesan, and herbs filled the air. After twenty years cooking in diners, food stalls, and cafés across the globe, this dish reminded me why I fell in love with food in the first place. It brought back the warmth of my grandma’s kitchen simple ingredients, slow cooking, and meals meant to be shared. Through Fresh Leaf Rezepte, I get to pass that same joy on to you. And if you’re looking for the kind of comfort food that practically cooks itself but still tastes like a special occasion, marry me chicken crock pot is the one.
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What Is Marry Me Chicken Crock Pot?
A Viral Dish with Real Staying Power
The name may sound playful, but the flavor is the real deal. Marry me chicken first became popular as a creamy skillet dish, but the crock pot version takes things to a new level of ease. It’s slow cooked chicken simmered in a garlic Parmesan cream sauce with sun dried tomatoes and herbs flavors that develop deeper the longer they cook.
In this version, the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting. Just throw in boneless chicken, pour over the sauce mixture, and let time do the magic. By dinner, you’ve got chicken so tender it falls apart with a fork, soaked in a sauce that’s both rich and balanced.
If you’re a fan of easy, slow-cooked favorites like our Mississippi Chicken Recipe, then this one’s going to be right up your alley. Both recipes prove that you don’t need fancy ingredients to make something delicious.
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Marry Me Chicken Crock Pot
- Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
Tender chicken slow cooked in a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and herbs. This Marry Me Chicken Crock Pot recipe is comforting, flavorful, and perfect for both weeknights and special occasions.
Ingredients
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained and chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (optional, for thickening)
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts or thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of Italian seasoning.
- In a bowl, whisk together chicken broth, garlic, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and remaining Italian seasoning.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken.
- Cover and cook on low for 5–6 hours or high for 2.5–3.5 hours, until chicken is tender and fully cooked (165°F internal temperature).
- Optional: For a thicker sauce, stir in cornstarch slurry during the last 30 minutes and cook uncovered.
- Once cooked, stir the sauce and serve chicken whole or shredded.
- Serve over mashed potatoes, pasta, rice, or creamy polenta.
Notes
Make ahead by assembling ingredients in the crock pot insert the night before. Store leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days or freeze for 3 months. Best served with pasta, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
What Makes It So Special? The Sauce.
The real magic in marry me chicken crock pot is the sauce creamy, tangy, savory, and slightly sweet. It’s made with heavy cream, chicken broth, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, sun-dried tomatoes, and grated Parmesan. The red pepper flakes give it a subtle heat, while the cheese adds depth and umami. As it simmers slowly, the sauce thickens naturally and clings to every bite of chicken.
Unlike stovetop versions, the crock pot allows the flavors to blend gently over hours. The result? A silky, spoon worthy sauce that tastes like it came from a restaurant kitchen. It reminds me of the creamy richness in our Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes, but with a bold Italian twist.
What makes the sauce unforgettable is how the sun-dried tomatoes cut through the creaminess with a touch of acidity. Paired with the garlic and cheese, it hits every note rich, salty, tangy, and comforting.
This is the kind of dish that doesn’t just feed a crowd it impresses them. The flavor is deep and complex, even though the process is as simple as dump and go. That’s the beauty of slow cooking: it turns pantry staples into something seriously special.
How to Make Marry Me Chicken Crock Pot
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the best parts about marry me chicken crock pot is how little you need to make something unforgettable. The ingredients are simple but come together in a slow cooker to create something rich, flavorful, and comforting. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed, drained and chopped)
- Garlic (minced)
- Chicken broth
- Heavy cream
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Italian seasoning
- Red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper
- Cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
If you’ve cooked dishes like our Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Bites, you already know how powerful garlic, cream, and Parmesan can be together. This recipe takes that same flavor trio and elevates it with the sweetness of sun dried tomatoes and the richness of a slow cooked sauce.
Step by Step Cooking Instructions
- Place your chicken breasts or thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker. Season them lightly with salt, pepper, and a pinch of Italian seasoning.
- In a bowl, whisk together chicken broth, minced garlic, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and the remaining seasoning.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken in the crock pot.
- Cover and cook on low for 5–6 hours or on high for 2.5–3.5 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and fork-tender.
- Optional: If you want a thicker sauce, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water, stir into the sauce during the last 30 minutes, and let it cook uncovered.
Once cooked, give the sauce a quick stir and shred the chicken slightly or serve it whole either works beautifully.
Marry me chicken crock pot is perfect over mashed potatoes, pasta, or even creamy polenta. The sauce clings beautifully to carbs, making it an all in one comfort meal. Much like our Chicken Broccoli Cheese Soup Recipe, it’s hearty enough for a main course, yet elegant enough for guests.
The ease of prep makes this a weeknight hero, but the flavor is fancy enough to serve for date night or Sunday dinner. And yes it absolutely freezes well too.
Who Should Make Marry Me Chicken Crock Pot (And Why It Works So Well)
Perfect for Families, Beginners, and Busy Cooks
Marry me chicken crock pot isn’t just delicious it’s practical. It’s ideal for anyone who wants to serve a flavorful, comforting meal without hovering over a stove. If you’re a busy parent, a beginner cook, or someone who just doesn’t love doing dishes, this recipe is for you.
Because everything happens in one pot, cleanup is minimal. You don’t need fancy equipment or advanced cooking skills. You simply layer ingredients, close the lid, and let time do its thing.
It’s also incredibly forgiving. Forgot to chop your sun-dried tomatoes super small? No problem. Only have chicken thighs? Even better. It’s hard to mess this up, which makes it beginner-friendly and a go to for meal prep or batch cooking.
For folks who already enjoy recipes like Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich, this one’s another easy, big-flavor meal you’ll want in regular rotation. It hits the same balance of comfort and wow factor without the stress.
How the Crock Pot Makes This Dish Shine
You might wonder: is it safe to put raw chicken directly into the slow cooker? Yes completely safe, as long as you cook it to the proper internal temperature (165°F). Slow cookers are designed to safely handle raw meat by gradually bringing it up to temp over hours of even, moist heat.
The slow cooking process allows all the flavors garlic, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes to gently infuse the chicken over time. Unlike stovetop methods that rely on fast reduction, the crock pot coaxes out deep, rich flavor in every bite.
This cooking method also locks in moisture. The chicken turns out juicy, tender, and infused with creamy, herby flavor. You can serve it shredded or whole, depending on the vibe you’re going for.
If you love set it and forget it meals like our Chicken and Peaches Recipe, you’ll appreciate how the crock pot simplifies the process without sacrificing any flavor.
Plus, slow cooking is energy efficient and kitchen friendly it won’t heat up your whole house like an oven will. That’s another reason it’s perfect for everyday life.
Make Ahead, Store, and Serve Marry Me Chicken Crock Pot Like a Pro
Prep It in Advance Without Losing Flavor
One of the best things about marry me chicken crock pot is how well it fits into real life. Whether you’re cooking for Sunday dinner, meal prepping for the week, or making a cozy dish for guests, it adapts beautifully. You can even prep the whole thing the night before.
To make it ahead:
Assemble all the ingredients directly in the crock pot insert. Store it in the fridge overnight (covered), and in the morning, just pop it into the slow cooker and start cooking. That’s it no extra prep, no fuss.
If you’re planning to freeze it, do so after cooking. Let the dish cool, then store it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat it gently on the stove or in the microwave. The sauce may need a splash of broth or cream to loosen up, but the flavor stays spot on.
Like our Honey Chicken with Mac and Cheese, this dish only gets better after a day in the fridge. The flavors continue to blend, making leftovers even more irresistible.
Serving Suggestions and Final Tips
Marry me chicken crock pot is super versatile when it comes to serving. You can spoon it over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or even toasted crusty bread. The rich, creamy sauce clings perfectly to any base you choose.
Want a lighter option? Try serving it with roasted vegetables or a crisp salad. Either way, it’s a comforting, satisfying main dish that feels indulgent without being complicated.
Here are a few pairing ideas:
- Garlic mashed potatoes with steamed green beans
- Buttered egg noodles with roasted carrots
- Creamy polenta and a spinach salad with balsamic glaze
And just like our Crispy Hot Honey Feta Chicken, this recipe is also a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re serving picky eaters, pasta lovers, or flavor fanatics, it wins over everyone.
For leftovers, store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or stovetop on low heat just don’t boil the sauce or it might separate.
Conclusion: Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to Marry Me Chicken Crock Pot
There’s a reason why marry me chicken crock pot has become one of the most shared slow cooker recipes online. It’s rich but not heavy, flavorful but not complicated, and indulgent without the hassle. With just a few pantry staples and one pot, you create a meal that brings everyone to the table—and keeps them asking for seconds.
Whether it’s your first slow cooker meal or your hundredth, this dish is a reminder that comfort food doesn’t have to be boring or bland. It can be beautiful, bold, and full of heart. So go ahead—make it once, and watch how fast it becomes a weekly favorite.
What is the sauce on Marry Me Chicken made of?
The signature sauce for marry me chicken crock pot is a creamy blend of heavy cream, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Italian herbs. The result is a rich, savory, and slightly tangy sauce that coats the chicken and pairs well with pasta, rice, or bread.
What makes Marry Me Chicken so special?
It’s the combination of bold flavor and effortless prep. Marry me chicken crock pot gets its name because the flavor is so irresistible, it’s “proposal worthy.” The slow cooker version makes it even better tender chicken, slow simmered sauce, and foolproof results every time.
Is it okay to put raw chicken in a slow cooker?
Yes, it’s completely safe to put raw chicken in the crock pot. As long as it cooks to 165°F internally, the slow cooker method is designed to safely cook raw meat over several hours. This process also helps create deeply flavored, juicy chicken.
Can you cook Marry Me Chicken in advance?
Absolutely. You can assemble the ingredients in the slow cooker insert the night before, refrigerate it, and start cooking the next day. Cooked leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. The sauce actually develops even more flavor over time.