Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
User Reviews
5
Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
Description
Crockpot Marry Me Chicken uses boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs cooked gently in a slow cooker with a creamy sauce base from heavy cream, chicken broth, and jarred sun-dried tomatoes in oil. Garlic, thyme or oregano, and red pepper flakes introduce aromatic and subtle heat notes. The sauce is thickened with cornstarch and finished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, adding a savory, slightly nutty depth. Stirring in fresh basil ribbons just before serving complements the creamy texture nicely. The slow cooker results in tender, juicy chicken infused with the sauce flavors.
The method includes an optional sear of the chicken before slow cooking, which adds golden crust and helps lock moisture, though the dish works well without this step. After cooking on low heat for 5-6 hours, the sauce can be blended for smoothness if desired or left chunky with the sun-dried tomato pieces. This recipe pairs well with rice or crusty bread to mop up the flavorful sauce.
Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3-5 days in an airtight container. Variations include adding fresh baby spinach in the last 30 minutes or substituting thighs for even juicier chicken, with the same cooking time. Using fresh herbs when possible provides the freshest flavor, especially the basil added at the end.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breast or thighs, boneless skinless
- salt generously sprinkle on chicken
- black pepper generously sprinkle on chicken
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup sundried tomatoes (jarred in oil)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 garlic minced, cloves
- 1 teaspoon thyme or oregano
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 8 fresh basil cut into ribbons, leaves
Instructions
- OPTIONAL: While not mandatory, searing the chicken breasts in a pan before adding them to the slow cooker gives the chicken a golden brown crust and locks in moisture. Heat 1-2 Tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes per side, until lightly browned. Then, transfer the chicken to your slow cooker.
- In a bowl, whisk together chicken broth, heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, thyme or oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), and cornstarch. Pour the mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker.
- Cover and cook the chicken on the low setting for 5-6 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking to prevent heat loss.
- If you prefer a super smooth, creamy sauce, you can use an immersion blender or blender to blend the sauce after cooking. Simply remove the chicken and blend the sauce until smooth. Then return the chicken to the slow cooker and stir to coat.
- Once the sauce has thickened, stir in the Parmesan cheese. Let the sauce simmer for an additional 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil and extra parmesan and enjoy! Taste for seasonings and add more salt and pepper as needed.
Notes
- Searing the chicken before slow cooking is optional but adds a golden crust and more texture; use oil and cook 2-3 minutes per side if choosing to sear.
- Leftover chicken and sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days.
- Add fresh baby spinach during the last 30 minutes of cooking for extra greens.
- Substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs for more juicy meat; cooking time remains the same.
- For best flavor, use fresh herbs like basil when serving.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 431 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 431kcal | 22% |
| Carbohydrates | 13g | 4% |
| Protein | 33g | 66% |
| Fat | 28g | 43% |
| Saturated Fat | 16g | 80% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 0.01g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 149mg | 50% |
| Sodium | 585mg | 24% |
| Potassium | 988mg | 21% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 1307IU | 26% |
| Vitamin C | 8mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 219mg | 22% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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