If there’s one dish that lives up to its name, it’s Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken. Creamy, rich, and full of flavor, this slow-cooked chicken dish is rumored to be so delicious it could inspire a marriage proposal—hence the name. The irresistible combination of tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and a luscious garlic cream sauce makes this a go-to comfort meal you’ll want to make again and again.
The beauty of this recipe lies not just in its mouthwatering flavor but also in its simplicity. With just a few pantry staples and a crock pot, you can create a restaurant-quality dish at home with minimal effort. Perfect for busy weeknights, date nights, or even Sunday dinners, Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken is a fuss-free recipe with big-time payoff. Serve it over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes, and don’t forget some crusty bread to soak up every last drop of that decadent sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultra Creamy & Rich – The sauce is packed with heavy cream, Parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Set It & Forget It – Just a few minutes of prep, then the slow cooker does the rest.
- Perfect for Weeknights or Special Occasions – Elegant enough for guests, easy enough for everyday.
- Customizable – Adjust spice, herbs, or serve it your way.
- Family Favorite – Kid-approved and guaranteed to be requested on repeat.
Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Olive oil
- Ranch seasoning mix
- Heavy cream
- Sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dried basil
- Red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper
Variations
- Use Chicken Thighs: For extra flavor and moisture.
- Make it Spicier: Add more red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
- Lighten It Up: Substitute half-and-half or evaporated milk for the heavy cream.
- Add Spinach: Toss in a handful of fresh spinach 15 minutes before serving.
- Go Gluten-Free: Ensure your ranch mix and Parmesan are gluten-free certified.
How to Make the Recipe
Step 1: Sear the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Sear for 2–3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
Step 2: Add to Crock Pot
Transfer the seared chicken to the crock pot.
Step 3: Prepare the Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together ranch seasoning, heavy cream, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, and red pepper flakes.
Step 4: Combine
Pour the cream mixture over the chicken. Sprinkle chopped sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan cheese on top.
Step 5: Slow Cook
Cover and cook on low for 4–6 hours until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Step 6: Serve
Serve hot over pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables with extra sauce spooned on top.
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Sear the chicken first for better texture and deeper flavor.
- Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for added richness—drain before chopping.
- Grate fresh Parmesan for the best melt and flavor.
- Don’t overcook—check for doneness at 4 hours, especially with thin chicken breasts.
- Stir before serving to evenly distribute the creamy sauce and tomatoes.
How to Serve
This creamy chicken pairs beautifully with:
- Pasta – Penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti
- Rice – White, brown, or wild
- Mashed Potatoes – Soaks up the sauce perfectly
- Steamed Veggies – Like green beans, broccoli, or asparagus
- Crusty Bread – To mop up every drop of sauce
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing
Freeze cooled chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of cream or broth if needed to loosen the sauce.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen chicken breasts?
For safety and even cooking, thaw the chicken completely before adding to the crock pot.
2. What type of sun-dried tomatoes should I use?
Use the kind packed in oil, drained and chopped, for the best flavor and texture.
3. Can I use grated Parmesan from the can?
Freshly grated Parmesan is best for melting and flavor, but canned can work in a pinch.
4. How do I know when the chicken is done?
It should reach an internal temperature of 165°F and be fork-tender.
5. Can I make this dairy-free?
Substitute coconut cream for heavy cream and use a dairy-free Parmesan alternative.
6. Is this recipe keto-friendly?
Yes, just serve it over cauliflower rice or veggies to keep it low-carb.
7. Can I double the recipe?
Yes! Just make sure your crock pot is large enough to accommodate.
8. Will this work with chicken thighs?
Absolutely—chicken thighs stay moist and are perfect for slow cooking.
9. What’s the best pasta to serve this with?
Short pasta like penne or fusilli holds the sauce well.
10. How do I thicken the sauce more?
Remove the lid for the last 30 minutes or add a cornstarch slurry.
Conclusion
Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken is more than just a fun name—it’s a dish that delivers serious flavor with minimal effort. Creamy, comforting, and easy to customize, it’s perfect for a romantic dinner, family meal, or a dish to impress guests. With simple ingredients and big payoff, this recipe is a guaranteed keeper in your weekly rotation.
PrintCrock Pot Marry Me Chicken: A Creamy, Flavor-Packed Dinner
- Total Time: ~6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Creamy, flavorful, and impossibly tender, Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken is a romantic dinner made easy! With seared chicken breasts slow-cooked in a luscious ranch cream sauce packed with sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, garlic, and herbs, this dish is rich, comforting, and irresistibly delicious. One bite and you’ll understand how it earned its name—it’s that good!
Ingredients
-
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
-
1 tablespoon olive oil
-
1 packet ranch seasoning mix
-
1 cup heavy cream
-
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
-
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
-
1 teaspoon garlic powder
-
1 teaspoon onion powder
-
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
-
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
-
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
-
Sear the Chicken:
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Sear each side for 2–3 minutes until golden brown. -
Add to Crock Pot:
Transfer seared chicken to the crock pot. -
Make the Sauce:
In a small bowl, whisk together ranch seasoning, heavy cream, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, and red pepper flakes. -
Layer & Cook:
Pour sauce over the chicken. Add sun-dried tomatoes and sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top. -
Slow Cook:
Cover and cook on low for 4–6 hours, or until chicken is tender and fully cooked (165°F internal temperature). -
Serve:
Spoon the creamy sauce over chicken and serve with pasta, mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables.
Notes
Add fresh spinach during the last 30 minutes for extra color and nutrition.
Make it spicy: Increase red pepper flakes to taste.
Use boneless thighs for extra juicy results.
Sauce can be thickened at the end with a cornstarch slurry if needed.
Great for meal prep and reheats beautifully.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4–6 hours (low)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: crock pot marry me chicken, creamy chicken slow cooker, ranch chicken crock pot, sun dried tomato chicken