Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken

Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken is a delightful dish that brings together tender chicken breasts and a rich, creamy sauce infused with sun-dried tomatoes and Italian herbs.

This recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner, offering the convenience of slow cooking with the satisfaction of a homemade meal. Whether you’re serving it with rice, noodles, or mashed potatoes, this dish is sure to impress with its savory flavors and comforting texture.

Ingredients

• Chicken Breasts: These are the stars of our dish! You’ll be seasoning them with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs, then giving them a lovely golden-brown sear before they settle into the slow cooker.
• Italian Seasoning, Salt, & Pepper: Your go-to seasonings for the chicken breasts to build that delicious first layer of flavor.
• Unsalted Butter & Olive Oil: You’ll use these to create a beautiful golden-brown sear on your chicken breasts, locking in flavor before they go into the slow cooker.
• White Wine or Water/Chicken Broth: You have a great choice here! You can use a mix of white wine and water for a subtle depth, or opt for chicken broth if you prefer a more savory, comforting base for your sauce.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Make sure these little bursts of tangy sweetness are diced up – they infuse the sauce with incredible flavor.
• Sweet Paprika: This adds a wonderful mild, earthy flavor and a hint of warm color to our creamy sauce.
• Garlic Granules: For that essential garlicy goodness that permeates throughout the sauce.
• Chicken Bouillon: (No specific action mentioned in the instructions, but it’s listed here as part of the flavor profile.)
• Sour Cream or Heavy Cream: This is what truly transforms our sauce into that luxurious, rich, and creamy texture at the end. If you’re leaning towards sour cream, you might even be able to skip an extra thickening step!
• Cornstarch: If you prefer your sauce on the thicker side, you’ll use this to create a slurry with a little cold water, stirring it in towards the end of the cooking time.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese: For that fantastic savory, cheesy richness stirred right into the creamy sauce at the end.
• Flat Leaf Parsley or Fresh Basil: Choose your favorite! These should be freshly chopped and are perfect for stirring in at the end for a lovely fresh finish and added flavor.

Instructions

Season and Sear the Chicken: Start by generously seasoning your chicken breasts all over with salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs. Next, in a pan (or directly in your slow cooker if it has a browning function), heat up your unsalted butter and olive oil until shimmering. Carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts skin side down and fry them until they’re beautifully golden brown.

Flip & Transfer: Flip the chicken breasts over to brown the other side slightly. If you used a separate pan for searing, transfer the chicken into your slow cooker now.

Build the Sauce Base: Pour in your chosen liquid – whether that’s the white wine and water mixture, or chicken broth. Then, add the sweet paprika, garlic granules, and your diced sun-dried tomatoes. Give everything a good stir to make sure all the wonderful flavors are well combined around the chicken.

Slow Cook to Perfection: Cover your slow cooker with its lid and set it to the LOW setting. Cook for about 90 minutes to 2 hours, or until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).

Thicken the Sauce (Optional): If you prefer a luscious, thicker sauce, this is the time to act! In a small bowl, whisk together some cornstarch with a little cold water to create a smooth slurry.

Stir this cornstarch slurry into the sauce about ten minutes before the cooking time is complete. Let it heat through, and you’ll see the sauce beautifully thicken. (If you’re planning on using sour cream in the very next step, you might find the sauce is already creamy enough and can totally skip this thickening part!)

Creamy Finish & Cheese: Gently move the cooked chicken to one side of the slow cooker to make some room. Stir in your sour cream or heavy cream until it’s fully incorporated and the sauce is wonderfully creamy. Then, add the grated Parmesan cheese and your freshly chopped flat leaf parsley or basil for that final pop of flavor and freshness.

Serve & Enjoy: Your Marry Me Chicken is ready! Serve this rich, creamy, and comforting meal over rice, noodles, mashed potatoes, or your favorite side dish. Get ready to savor every delightful bite!

Recipe Tips

Don’t Skip the Sear: Even though it’s a slow cooker recipe, browning your chicken breasts in butter and olive oil before adding them is a crucial step! It gives them a beautiful golden color and helps to build a deeper flavor base.

Choose Your Liquid Base Wisely: The recipe offers flexibility! You can use a white wine and water mixture for a lighter, more aromatic flavor, or opt for chicken broth if you prefer a richer, more traditional base for your sauce.

Always Check for Doneness: For perfectly tender and safe chicken, remember to cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). This ensures your chicken is cooked through without becoming dry.

Thickening the Sauce (or Knowing When Not To): If you love a truly luscious, thicker sauce, making a cornstarch slurry is your friend – just stir it in about ten minutes before the end. However, if you’re using sour cream in the final step, you might find the sauce is already wonderfully creamy and can omit the cornstarch.

Garnish for Freshness & Flavor: The grated Parmesan cheese and freshly chopped flat leaf parsley or basil are not just for looks! Stirring them in at the end adds a wonderful burst of fresh flavor and vibrant color that really elevates the dish.

Versatile Serving Options: This Marry Me Chicken is incredibly versatile! It tastes fantastic served over a variety of sides like fluffy rice, comforting noodles, or creamy mashed potatoes – choose your personal favorite to complete the meal!

Conclusion

Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken is a deliciously creamy and savory dish that’s perfect for any occasion. With its tender chicken breasts and rich sauce infused with sun-dried tomatoes, this meal offers a satisfying and comforting experience.

Easy to prepare and full of flavor, it’s a dish that’s sure to impress your loved ones. Enjoy it with your favorite sides and savor the delightful taste! Happy cooking!