Marry Me Chicken (Crock-Pot Recipe)

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This crock pot Marry Me chicken is creamy, cozy, and so easy, healthier than the classic but still wildly delicious. Just dump, slow cook, and wait for everyone to fall in love.

This slow cooker Marry Me chicken is my healthier, easier take on the very popular dish that everyone seems to obsess over — and honestly, I get why. The chicken turns out ridiculously tender in the slow cooker, soaked in a creamy sun-dried tomato garlic‑Parmesan sauce.

I skip pan‑searing to keep things lighter and fuss‑free, and I rinse the sun‑dried tomatoes to reduce excess oil without losing that sweet-savory punch and use lighter cream. A little tomato paste adds a lovely touch of acidity, umami, and the prettiest color — something I started doing during testing and now can’t make this recipe without.

It’s simple comfort food with better macros: higher protein, lower calories, and still unbelievably satisfying. Serve it over pasta, rice, or veggies and watch how fast it disappears.

👩‍🍳 ℹ️ What Is Marry Me Chicken? It’s a creamy, garlicky chicken dish (usually pan‑seared) that supposedly tastes so good it could spark a marriage proposal. It’s known for its sun‑dried tomatoes, Parmesan, and luxurious sauce. I have no idea who the original creator is, but this dish is similar to Tuscan creamy chicken or creamy sun-dried tomato chicken, so there are many similar recipes.

👩‍🍳 You might also like: Marry Me chicken orzo bake, creamy chicken pasta with pesto, creamy chicken mushroom salad, slow cooker chicken Tikka Masala, or these healthy slow-cooker chicken recipes.

What You’ll Need

Here is what you’ll need for this slow cooker marry me chicken recipe. Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.

Chicken breasts: lean, tender, and perfect for slow cooking. You can swap for boneless thighs for extra juiciness.
Sauce Base: chicken stock, tomato paste (my personal touch), cornstarch (to thicken the sauce while it cooks). Tomato paste isn’t always in classic marry me chicken, but here it adds acidity and color.
For the flavor: chopped sun‑dried tomatoes add sweetness, chew, and those big Mediterranean notes. Rinsing removes excess oil to keep the recipe lighter. Fresh garlic (a must), but you can use onion powder, plus dried herbs (I used Italian mixed but you can use oregano, basil, or thyme), sweet and smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. These build the backbone of the sauce: savory, garlicky, a little smoky, and full of cozy Italian vibes.
Finishing ingredients: light thickened cream or heavy cream, fresh Parmesan (look, you can use pantry Parmesan, but it’s not as good in my opinion), and fresh basil (if available). These create that glossy, creamy finish. The light cream keeps it healthier; Parmesan adds saltiness and umami; basil brightens everything.

How To Make Crock-Pot Marry Me Chicken

Find the full recipe and nutritional information below. Here are some handy step-by-step photos for how to make marry me chicken in a crock-pot (slow-cooker)

Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise.
Whisk chicken stock, tomato paste, and cornstarch until smooth.
Place chicken in the crock pot and pour the tomato mixture over the top.
Add garlic, sun‑dried tomatoes, paprika, herbs, salt, and pepper.
Stir gently, cover, and cook: 2.5 hours on HIGH or 3.5–4 hours on LOW.
Add cream, Parmesan, and basil.
Stir and cook for another 20–30 minutes on HIGH (or while you prep your sides).
Serve and enjoy!

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Recipe Tips

Don’t skip rinsing the sun‑dried tomatoes: It helps keep the sauce from being overly oily.
Use freshly grated Parmesan: Pre‑grated won’t melt the same, and the flavor is way better.
Thickness control: If you like a thicker sauce, stir in an extra teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a splash of cold stock at the end, or cook without the lid in the last 20 minutes.
Chicken option: Boneless thighs work beautifully and stay ultra‑tender.
Make-ahead: Assemble all ingredients except cream/Parmesan/basil in the slow cooker insert and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, place it in the crock pot and cook.
Storage: Keeps 3–4 days in an airtight container. Reheats well on the stove with a splash of stock or cream.
Freezer-friendly: Freeze before adding cream/Parmesan (dairy doesn’t freeze well). Add them when reheating.

Serving Suggestions

I love this spooned over pasta — the sauce hugs every noodle beautifully. It’s also great with rice, mashed potatoes, quinoa, roasted veggies, or even zucchini noodles if you want to keep things lighter. A simple green salad or garlic broccoli on the side balances the richness perfectly.

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This crock pot marry me chicken is creamy, cozy, and so easy — healthier than the classic but still wildly delicious. Just dump, slow cook, and wait for everyone to fall in love. Find step-by-step photos and more recipe tips above.

Cut the chicken breasts in half at the thickest point so you have evenly sized pieces.
In a bowl, whisk the chicken stock, tomato paste, and cornstarch until smooth.
Place the chicken into the crock pot and pour the tomato mixture over the top.
Add garlic, sun‑dried tomatoes, onion powder, Italian herbs, sweet paprika, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir gently to combine.
Cover and cook on HIGH for 2.5 hours or LOW for 3.5–4 hours.
Open the lid, add the cream, Parmesan, and basil. Stir to combine.
Cook for an additional 20–30 minutes on HIGH, or until the sauce is creamy and slightly thickened.
Serve over pasta, rice, or your favorite sides.

Can I use chicken thighs? Yes — boneless thighs work beautifully and stay extra juicy and ultra-tender.
Can I make this dairy-free? You can use coconut cream and nutritional yeast, but the flavor will be different (still tasty!).
Can I cook it longer? Try not to exceed 4.5 hours on LOW for chicken breast — it can dry out.
Can I double the recipe? Yes, as long as your crock pot is large enough. Add 20–30 extra minutes if needed.
Can I add spinach or veggies? Absolutely — stir in spinach during the last 5 minutes. Mushrooms or chopped zucchini can be added at the start.
Don’t skip rinsing the sun‑dried tomatoes: It helps keep the sauce from being overly oily.
Use freshly grated Parmesan: Pre‑grated won’t melt the same and the flavor is way better.
Thickness control: If you like a thicker sauce, stir in an extra teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a splash of cold stock at the end or cook without the lid in the last 20 minutes.
Make-ahead: Assemble all ingredients except cream/Parmesan/basil in the slow cooker insert and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, place it in the crock pot and cook.
Storage: Keeps 3–4 days in an airtight container. Reheats well on the stove with a splash of stock or cream.
Freezer-friendly: Freeze before adding cream/Parmesan (dairy doesn’t freeze well). Add them when reheating.

Keywords: Marry Me Chicken (Crock-Pot Recipe), Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken, Crock-Pot Marry Me Chicken

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