Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken

If you haven’t tried marry me chicken yet, you’re missing out. It’s called that because it’s supposedly good enough to make someone propose, and honestly, the name fits.

This version is made entirely in the slow cooker, so it’s about as hands-off as cooking gets. Season the chicken, add a few ingredients, and walk away.

The best part is the sauce. It’s this creamy, cheesy, sun-dried tomato situation that you’ll want to pour over everything on your plate.

The chicken comes out incredibly tender after a few hours in the slow cooker. It practically falls apart, which is exactly what you want.

It’s a great recipe for weeknight dinners or even when you have people over. Simple to make but it looks and tastes like you really put in the effort.

What Makes This Recipe So Good

The Sauce Is Unreal – The cream cheese and parmesan melt into the cooking liquid to create a rich sauce that people literally beg for.

Sun-Dried Tomatoes Make It Special – They add a sweet and tangy flavor that takes this chicken from basic to restaurant-quality.

It Tastes Way Fancier Than It Is – Guests will think you spent hours in the kitchen but the prep takes about 10 minutes.

Ingredients

• 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
• 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 3/4 cup Chicken Broth
• 1/2 cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes, drained and chopped
• 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
• 4 oz Cream Cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1/4 cup Fresh Basil, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt, black pepper, italian seasoning, and paprika.

Step 2

Place the seasoned chicken in the slow cooker. Add the minced garlic, chicken broth, and sun-dried tomatoes around and over the chicken.

Step 3

Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 3 hours, until the chicken reaches 165 degrees F and is very tender.

Step 4

Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and set it aside on a plate. Add the heavy cream and softened cream cheese to the liquid in the pot.

Step 5

Whisk the cream cheese mixture until smooth and well combined with the cooking liquid. Stir in the parmesan cheese until it melts into a rich, creamy sauce.

Step 6

Return the chicken breasts to the slow cooker and spoon the sauce generously over them. Let everything sit for 5 minutes so the flavors come together.

Step 7

Serve the chicken topped with plenty of sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil. This pairs beautifully with pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.

Pro Tips

Sear the Chicken Before It Goes In

Even though the recipe doesn’t call for it, take 2 minutes to sear each chicken breast in olive oil in a hot skillet before placing them in the slow cooker. You just want a quick golden crust on each side – about 60 seconds per side.

This makes a big difference in the final flavor. Slow cookers don’t brown anything, so without this step the chicken can taste a little bland and steamed. That quick sear adds a layer of flavor you’ll definitely notice.

Use the tablespoon of olive oil listed in the ingredients for this. It’s already in the recipe – might as well put it to good use here.

Cut the Cream Cheese Into Small Cubes

Before you add the cream cheese to the slow cooker, cut it into small cubes – about 1 inch each. Even if it’s softened, a big block of cream cheese won’t melt evenly into the hot liquid and you’ll be whisking forever trying to get rid of lumps.

Small cubes melt in seconds and blend into a smooth sauce with barely any effort. This one small step saves you a lot of frustration.

Don’t Go Past 6 Hours on Low

Chicken breasts dry out fast in a slow cooker because they’re so lean. If you cook them even 30 minutes too long, they go from tender to stringy and chalky really quick.

Set a timer and check the internal temperature at the 5-hour mark. If it reads 165 degrees F, pull them out right away. Thinner breasts might be done even earlier than that.

If you can, use chicken breasts that are similar in size so they all cook at the same rate. One big one and one small one in the same pot means one will overcook while the other catches up.

Related Recipes

• Instant Pot Creamy Tuscan Chicken
• Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken
• Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken
• Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings
• Instant Pot Cream Cheese Chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this in the Instant Pot or pressure cooker instead?

Yes, this recipe adapts really well to a pressure cooker. Season the chicken the same way, add the broth, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes, then cook on high pressure for 10-12 minutes with a natural release for 5 minutes.

After that, remove the chicken and stir in the cream cheese, heavy cream, and parmesan on the saute setting until smooth. It cuts the cook time down significantly while giving you the same creamy result.