There’s just something magical about sinking your fork into tender chicken bathed in a creamy sauce studded with tangy sun-dried tomatoes. That’s exactly the kind of flavor combo you get with this Crockpot Marry Me Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe, a comforting, foolproof dish you’ll want to make again and again.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Crockpot Marry Me Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Crockpot Marry Me Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Crockpot Marry Me Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m absolutely hooked on this recipe because it brings together rich, creamy goodness and vibrant sun-dried tomatoes in a set-it-and-forget-it crockpot meal. It's perfect for busy days when you want something impressive but low-effort.
- Effortless Slow-Cooking: Just sear, toss in the crockpot, then come back to a juicy, flavorful dinner.
- Flavor-Packed Sauce: The combination of creamy Parmesan and sun-dried tomatoes makes every bite special.
- Versatile Meal: It pairs beautifully with pasta or spaghetti squash for a lighter option.
- Family-Friendly: Even my picky eaters love this one – that’s a win in my book!
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in the Crockpot Marry Me Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe is thoughtfully chosen to create layers of flavor and a perfectly creamy sauce without any fuss. Let’s take a closer look at the key players and how they elevate the dish.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: The lean protein base that soaks up the sauce beautifully when slow-cooked to tender perfection.
- Olive oil: Adds that subtle richness when searing, which boosts overall flavor.
- Chicken broth: Forms the savory base of the sauce and keeps chicken moist during cooking.
- Cornstarch: A simple thickener for that luxurious, creamy sauce without any clumps.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic provides a fragrant, savory punch.
- Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that adds an earthy, aromatic complexity.
- Paprika & onion powder: These spices deepen the flavor and add a gentle warmth.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: My personal favorite—tangy bursts that contrast so nicely with the creamy sauce.
- Heavy cream: Enriches and smooths out the sauce for that melt-in-your-mouth feel.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds salty, nutty depth and thickens the sauce further.
Make It Your Way
This recipe is like a blank canvas that you can easily tweak to suit your preferences. I love switching up the herbs or trying a touch of heat to keep things interesting—feel free to experiment and make it your own!
- Variation: I once added a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, and it brought a wonderful warmth that contrasted nicely with the creamy sauce.
- Dairy-Free Twist: Swap heavy cream and Parmesan for coconut cream and nutritional yeast to keep it creamy without dairy—it's surprisingly tasty.
- Protein Swap: Using boneless skinless thighs instead of breasts makes the dish even juicier and more forgiving if you accidentally overcook.
- Seasonal Touch: Try adding fresh spinach in the last 30 minutes of cooking for a pop of color and nutritious boost.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Crockpot Marry Me Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe
Step 1: Sear the Chicken for Maximum Flavor
I like to start by heating the olive oil in a skillet until it just begins to shimmer—this means it’s hot enough to give the chicken a beautiful golden crust. I sear each chicken breast 2-3 minutes per side, just enough to lock in juices and add that extra layer of flavor. Don’t worry about cooking it through here; the slow cooker will handle that gently.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Sauce Base
While the chicken is browning, I whisk chicken broth and cornstarch straight into the slow cooker to avoid any lumps. Then I add minced garlic and all those herbs and spices right into the mix. This slurry sets the stage for the creamy sauce without any extra pots to clean—love that convenience.
Step 3: Layer Chicken and Sun-Dried Tomatoes in the Crockpot
Once the chicken is browned, I nestle it into the sauce mixture and sprinkle chopped sun-dried tomatoes over the top. Cover it, set the crockpot to low, and let it do its magic for 3-4 hours. The aroma by the time you get back is just heavenly.
Step 4: Finish the Creamy Sauce and Serve
After slow cooking, take the chicken out briefly and stir in heavy cream and Parmesan into the crockpot liquid, creating that silky, decadent sauce. Then toss the chicken back in to soak up all that goodness before serving. I always ladle extra sauce over my plated chicken because, honestly, there’s no such thing as too much.
Top Tip
From my many attempts, I’ve learned a few simple techniques that make all the difference with this recipe—here’s what I’d recommend to help you nail it every time.
- Searing the chicken: Don’t skip this step! It adds flavor and texture you just can’t get from slow-cooking alone.
- Whisk cornstarch thoroughly: Make sure no lumps remain in the broth before adding chicken to avoid any sauce texture issues.
- Don’t overcook: Start checking the chicken at 3 hours on low; overcooking can make it dry, even in a crockpot.
- Use good quality sun-dried tomatoes: They bring essential tang and chewiness that elevate the whole dish.
How to Serve Crockpot Marry Me Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe
Garnishes
I usually finish the dish with a sprinkle of fresh basil leaves and an extra dusting of Parmesan. The basil adds a lovely fresh brightness that cuts through the richness, and the Parmesan is just pure comfort.
Side Dishes
This chicken shines when served over angel hair pasta, which soaks up the sauce like a charm. When I’m craving something lighter, I go for shredded, cooked spaghetti squash—it’s a delicious, low-carb alternative that pairs perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like plating the chicken breasts atop a colorful bed of sautéed spinach or roasted veggies and adding a drizzle of extra sauce around the plate. It looks restaurant-worthy yet feels warm and inviting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and it keeps beautifully for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens in the fridge, so a quick stir with a splash of broth before reheating brings it right back to silky perfection.
Freezing
This recipe freezes well, too. I portion the chicken breasts and sauce separately for best texture, then thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently on the stove or in the crockpot.
Reheating
To reheat, I gently warm the chicken and sauce on low heat on the stove, stirring occasionally to prevent the cream from separating. Microwave works too in a pinch, but take care to avoid overheating.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a great option for even more juicy, flavorful results. Just adjust the cooking time slightly and check for doneness early to avoid overcooking.
You can swap the heavy cream with coconut cream or a cashew cream substitute, and replace Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast to achieve a similar umami flavor without dairy.
Yes! You can sear the chicken and prepare the sauce base a day ahead, then assemble everything in the slow cooker just before cooking. Leftovers also store well for quick meals later.
Angel hair pasta and spaghetti squash are top picks that soak up the sauce nicely. Roasted or steamed veggies and a simple green salad also balance the richness perfectly.
Final Thoughts
This Crockpot Marry Me Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe is one of those meals I keep coming back to because it feels like a warm hug at the end of a hectic day. The way the flavors meld while you’re out living your life, then come together seamlessly when you’re ready to eat—it’s pure kitchen magic. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll have a new favorite comfort food to rely on.
Print
Crockpot Marry Me Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Crockpot Marry Me Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts cooked slowly in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce infused with garlic and Italian seasoning. It's an easy, fuss-free take on the classic Italian-American dish that's perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, served over angel hair pasta or spaghetti squash.
Ingredients
Chicken and Sauce
- Cooking spray
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 ¼ lbs)
- 1 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 4 garlic cloves, minced (1 ½ tablespoons minced garlic)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (drained if packed in oil)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional for Serving
- Hot, cooked angel hair pasta or cooked and shredded spaghetti squash
- Fresh basil leaves
- Additional grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the skillet: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, mist with cooking spray and add olive oil. Wait for the oil to shimmer before adding the chicken breasts.
- Sear the chicken: Add chicken breasts and cook for 2-3 minutes to brown the outside, without cooking them through. Remove from heat once browned.
- Make the sauce base: In the slow cooker, whisk together chicken broth and cornstarch until smooth and lump-free.
- Add seasonings: Stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, whisking again to combine.
- Add chicken to slow cooker: Place the seared chicken breasts in the slow cooker and turn once to coat with the broth mixture.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes: Sprinkle the chopped sun-dried tomatoes evenly over the chicken breasts.
- Cook in slow cooker: Cover and cook on the low setting for 4 hours, or until chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Finish the sauce: Remove chicken breasts onto a plate. To the slow cooker liquid, add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, stirring to combine into a creamy sauce.
- Coat chicken in sauce: Return chicken to the slow cooker and turn to coat thoroughly with the sauce.
- Serve: Ladle sauce over chicken, garnish with fresh basil and additional Parmesan if desired. Serve over hot cooked angel hair pasta or shredded spaghetti squash.
Notes
- This recipe provides a creamy and flavorful sauce using slow-cooked chicken and sun-dried tomatoes for a classic Marry Me Chicken experience.
- For a lower-carb option, serve the chicken over cooked spaghetti squash instead of pasta.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness of the dish.
- To speed up cooking, you may brown the chicken in batches if your skillet is small.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently to avoid curdling the cream sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 346 calories
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 745 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg
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