Picture this: tender chicken cooked low and slow until it practically melts in your mouth, bathed in a rich, creamy sauce studded with sun-dried tomatoes. That’s exactly why the Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Recipe has become one of my absolute go-to weeknight meals—comforting, impressive, and surprisingly easy.

The image shows a white speckled plate with a base layer of bright yellow, shredded spaghetti squash arranged in a loose mound. On top of the squash, there is a thick, creamy orange sauce with visible bits of red sun-dried tomatoes and black pepper. Shredded white cheese is sprinkled over the sauce and squash, along with fresh green basil leaves placed on top, adding a pop of green color. The plate is set on a white marbled surface with a gold fork and knife partially in view, and a striped cloth nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Recipe is one of those dishes that feels fancy without the fuss. I love how it effortlessly blends a handful of everyday ingredients into something cozy and decadent—all while freeing up my time to do other things since the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting.

Simplicity: Just a few simple steps and basic ingredients make it easy for even a busy cook to shine.
Flavor Explosion: The creamy, garlicky sauce with sun-dried tomatoes is unexpectedly delicious and totally addictive.
Hands-Off Cooking: Slow cooking means you set it and forget it until dinner time—perfect for busy days.
Versatility: Great with pasta, spaghetti squash, or even crusty bread to soak up all that luscious sauce.

Ingredients & Why They Work

What I love about this recipe is the thoughtful ingredient pairing that ensures every bite is packed with flavor and perfect texture. Here’s a little peek behind why each element plays its part so well.

Flat lay of four boneless, skinless chicken breasts with smooth, pale pink skin; a small white bowl of golden olive oil; a small white bowl of low-sodium chicken broth with a translucent, light yellow color; a small white bowl of white cornstarch powder; four whole garlic cloves with papery white skins; a small pile of mixed dried Italian herbs with green and brown leaves; a small heap of bright red paprika powder; a small heap of pale beige onion powder; a small heap of fine white salt crystals; a small heap of coarse black peppercorns; a small white bowl filled with chopped, deep red sun-dried tomatoes; a small white bowl of thick, creamy white heavy cream; a small white bowl of finely grated pale yellow Parmesan cheese; a simple nest of cooked angel hair pasta with a glossy, pale yellow appearance; a few fresh basil leaves in vibrant green, slightly shiny and textured— all ingredients symmetrically arranged on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken breasts: Boneless and skinless for easy prep, they absorb the flavors beautifully while staying tender when slow-cooked.
Olive oil: Just enough for a quick sear that locks in great flavor before the slow cooking begins.
Chicken broth: Provides a savory base that keeps the sauce light yet comforting.
Cornstarch: This is your secret weapon for thickening the sauce to that perfect creamy consistency—no lumps!
Garlic cloves: Fresh minced garlic adds that irresistible aroma and a gentle kick without overpowering the dish.
Italian seasoning: A blend that brings in classic herbs like oregano and basil, complementing the other flavors effortlessly.
Paprika and onion powder: They add depth and a subtle earthiness that rounds out the taste beautifully.
Sun-dried tomatoes: These little flavor bombs provide tangy sweetness and a chewy texture that brightens the sauce.
Heavy cream: Creates the luscious, silky sauce that feels indulgent but isn’t over the top.
Parmesan cheese: Adds a sharp, salty finish that pulls everything together harmoniously.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Recipe is how easy it is to tweak it to fit your taste or the season. I often play around with the herbs or add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes if I’m craving a little heat.

Variation: Sometimes I swap the heavy cream for half-and-half if I want it a little lighter, and it still turns out creamy and delicious.
Dietary Modification: For a dairy-free twist, you can replace the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.
Fresh Herbs: Adding fresh basil or parsley right before serving gives the dish a fresh burst that brightens the creaminess.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Recipe

The image shows a white plate with two main layers: a base of soft yellow spaghetti squash strands on the left side and on the right side chunks of white chicken covered in a creamy, light beige sauce with small pieces of red sun-dried tomatoes mixed in. The sauce has a smooth, slightly thick texture that coats the chicken and has small green basil leaves placed on top as garnish. On the right, a gold fork holds a bite-sized piece of chicken coated in the same creamy sauce. The background is a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Sear the Chicken for Flavor

Start by heating up a skillet over medium-high heat and spritzing it lightly with cooking spray. Add a splash of olive oil, and once it's shimmering, drop in your chicken breasts. You just want to brown them on the outside for 2-3 minutes per side—don’t worry about cooking them through. This quick sear adds so much flavor and locks in moisture, which really makes a difference after slow cooking.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Sauce Base

While your chicken is browning, whisk together the chicken broth and cornstarch in your slow cooker until smooth and lump-free. This little step prevents lumps and is key for your sauce to thicken later on. Next, stir in the minced garlic and all your seasonings—Italian seasoning, paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Give it another good whisk to mix everything well.

Step 3: Combine and Cook Low and Slow

Place your seared chicken into the slow cooker, turning to coat with the broth mixture. Then sprinkle the chopped sun-dried tomatoes on top. Cover and cook on low for about 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. It’s such a treat to come home to that wonderful aroma!

Step 4: Finish with Cream and Cheese

Once your chicken is ready, transfer the breasts to a plate and pour in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese to the slow cooker liquid. Stir gently until smooth and creamy. Then pop the chicken back in and turn it a few times so each piece soaks up all that beautiful sauce.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Serve your chicken right away with sauce ladled over the top. I love adding a sprinkle of fresh basil and extra Parmesan for that extra pop of flavor.

Top Tip

From my experience with this Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Recipe, a few tiny details make all the difference between good and absolutely fantastic results.

Searing is Key: Don’t skip browning the chicken first—it locks in juiciness and builds layers of flavor that slow cooking alone can’t create.
Don’t Rush the Sauce: Adding cornstarch to the broth right in the slow cooker is what prevents a watery sauce and gives you that velvety finish every time.
Watch Your Time: Depending on your slow cooker, 3 hours can be enough, but sometimes it needs up to 4. Check for doneness with a thermometer or by cutting into the thickest part.
Fresh Herbs Last: Add fresh basil or parsley just before serving to keep their bright flavor from fading in the long cooking process.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Recipe

Garnishes

I always like to keep things simple yet fresh: sprinkling torn fresh basil leaves over the creamy sauce adds a pop of color and herby brightness. A little extra grated Parmesan on top never hurts, either—it’s kind of a must for that cheesy goodness.

Side Dishes

This chicken pairs perfectly with angel hair pasta, soaking up all that gorgeous sauce. If you want something lighter, I love using cooked and shredded spaghetti squash—it’s an easy way to sneak in veggies while keeping it gluten-free and delicious.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner parties or date nights, I like serving this dish individually, plating the chicken breast on a bed of pasta or squash, then drizzling sauce artistically around. Garnishing with microgreens or a lemon zest twist adds a beautiful, fresh finish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and I’ve found it stays creamy and flavorful for up to 3 days. Just give the sauce a gentle stir before reheating.

Freezing

This recipe freezes surprisingly well. I recommend freezing the chicken and sauce together in a freezer-safe container. When you thaw it, the sauce may separate slightly, but a quick stir while reheating fixes it right up.

Reheating

To keep the chicken moist, I reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. If you're in a hurry, the microwave works—just heat in short bursts and stir to avoid drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for this Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Recipe?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs will make the dish even more tender and flavorful due to their higher fat content. Just check for doneness a bit earlier since thighs can cook faster in a slow cooker.

How do I prevent the sauce from being too runny in this recipe?

The key is to mix cornstarch with the chicken broth before adding the chicken to the slow cooker. This slurry thickens the sauce as it cooks. Also, finishing the sauce with Parmesan and cream adds richness and helps thicken it further.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can brown the chicken and prepare the sauce base the night before, then store everything in the fridge. When ready, add it to the slow cooker and cook as directed. It’s a great way to save time on busy days.

What are some good side dishes to serve with this Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Recipe?

Angel hair pasta is a classic choice as it soaks up the creamy sauce beautifully, but you can also serve it with spaghetti squash for a lighter, low-carb option. Roasted or steamed veggies like green beans or asparagus make great accompaniments, too.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken Recipe always feels like a little celebration in my kitchen—simple yet impressive. I hope you’ll give it a try and discover how easy it is to create a cozy, restaurant-worthy meal right at home. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll likely become a favorite for busy weeknights and special dinners alike. Enjoy every creamy, garlicky bite!