Easy Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
Effortless Crockpot Magic Chicken.
Creamy, flavorful, and unbelievably easy. This crockpot chicken with cream cheese and sun-dried tomatoes is your new weeknight hero.
I remember the first time I made this. The light was fading outside, that soft blue hour, and the kitchen was filled with the scent of garlic and herbs. My daughter was doing her homework at the table, and the gentle bubbling from the crockpot was the only sound. It wasn't a grand occasion, just a Tuesday, but the meal felt special. It felt like home. It’s funny how a simple chicken dish can hold so much—the comfort of a slow-cooked meal, the ease of a recipe you can trust. It’s less about the 'marry me' and more about the 'stay a while,' you know?
Why This Recipe Feels Like a Hug
- •Effortless Elegance: It feels so fancy and tastes incredible, but honestly, the crockpot does all the work.
- •The Dreamiest Sauce: The combination of cream cheese, Parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes creates a sauce that's just… wow. So rich and savory.
- •Perfect for Any Night: It's special enough for a Sunday dinner but easy enough for a hectic Wednesday.
- •Incredibly Versatile: It's amazing over pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or even just with a side of steamed greens.
Honestly, I was skeptical that a crockpot could deliver this much flavor, but wow. The chicken was so tender it just fell apart, and that sauce... dang. It's restaurant-quality, but I barely had to lift a finger. This is going into our permanent rotation.
Essential Ingredient Guide
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Look for the ones packed in oil. They have a softer texture and a much richer, more concentrated flavor that really makes the sauce sing. Just be sure to drain them well before chopping.
- Cream Cheese: Full-fat, block-style cream cheese works best here. It melts into a velvety, stable sauce. Low-fat versions can sometimes separate, so for this recipe, it's worth the indulgence.
Complete Cooking Process
- Seasoning the chicken and placing it in the slow cooker.
- Adding the broth, sun-dried tomatoes, and cream cheese block on top.
- The chicken cooking slowly, filling the kitchen with a wonderful aroma.
- Shredding the tender chicken and mixing it back into the finished, creamy sauce.
Your Questions, Answered
→Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs would be delicious. They are naturally more moist, so they are very forgiving in a slow cooker. The cooking time should be about the same.
→My sauce seems a little thin. What can I do?
If you'd like a thicker sauce, you can make a small slurry. Just mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water, then whisk it into the sauce in the crockpot. Let it cook on high for about 15-20 minutes to thicken up.
→What's the best way to serve this?
Oh, so many ways! It’s beautiful over penne pasta, linguine, or fluffy mashed potatoes. For a lighter option, try it with zucchini noodles or steamed asparagus. You really can't go wrong.
Easy Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
This easy crockpot Marry Me Chicken recipe is the perfect answer for those busy weeknights when you still want something deeply comforting and flavorful. Tender chicken breasts are slow-cooked in a luscious, creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and herbs. It's a truly effortless meal that feels like a special occasion.
Timing
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
4 hours
Total Time
4 hours 10 minutes
Recipe Details
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 014 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 - 2 lbs)
- 021 teaspoon salt
- 031/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 041 teaspoon dried oregano
- 051 teaspoon garlic powder
For the Creamy Sauce
- 011 cup chicken broth
- 021/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
- 034 cloves garlic, minced
- 048 oz block of cream cheese, softened
- 051/2 cup heavy cream
- 061/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 071 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little warmth)
- 08Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
First, just pat your chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. It helps them get a nice texture. Season them all over with the salt, pepper, oregano, and garlic powder. Place them in a single layer at the bottom of your crockpot.
Now for the good stuff. Pour the chicken broth around the chicken. Sprinkle the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and minced garlic over the top. Then, place the block of cream cheese right in the center.
Cover the crockpot and let it do its thing. Cook on low for 4 hours, or on high for 2-3 hours. The low and slow method is honestly my favorite—it makes the chicken so incredibly tender.
Once the chicken is cooked through, take it out of the crockpot and set it aside for a moment. Whisk the sauce that's left in the crockpot until it's smooth and creamy. That cream cheese should just melt right in. Now, stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until everything is combined and beautiful.
You can either shred the chicken with two forks and return it to the sauce, or place the whole breasts back in and spoon the sauce over them. Let it all warm through for another 5-10 minutes. Serve it warm, garnished with fresh basil or parsley. It’s just lovely.
Notes & Tips
- 1If you like a little green, stirring in a few handfuls of fresh spinach at the very end until it wilts is a wonderful addition.
- 2For extra flavor, you can add a chopped shallot or a bit of onion powder with the garlic.
Tools You'll Need
- •For the creamiest sauce, make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature before adding it. It helps it melt seamlessly.
- •Don't lift the lid while it's cooking! The crockpot needs to maintain a consistent temperature to work its magic.
- •Taste the sauce before serving. It might need an extra pinch of salt or a squeeze of lemon juice to really brighten it up.