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The beauty of this crockpot Marry Me Chicken comes from its smooth, garlicky cream sauce that turns plain chicken breasts into something special. The chicken gets super soft during the slow cooking process, soaking up the wonderful tastes of garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbs. You'll end up with a fancy-looking meal that's actually really easy to make in your slow cooker.
I've made this so many times now, and I've noticed the slow cooker actually makes the flavors blend better than cooking it on the stove. The first time I made this for my family, my husband scraped his plate clean—he couldn't get enough of that sauce!
Key Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Go for good quality, similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly
- Heavy cream: This makes the base for that wonderful rich sauce
- Sun dried tomatoes: They pack tons of flavor and add nice red flecks
- Fresh garlic: You can't skip this for authentic Italian flavor
- Parmesan cheese: Grate it yourself for the smoothest melt and best taste
- Fresh basil: Adds a pop of freshness and takes the dish up a notch
Making It Step By Step
- Getting Your Chicken Ready
- First, grab some paper towels and completely dry those chicken breasts. Mix up 1 teaspoon each of salt, garlic powder, and onion powder with 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Rub this mix all over the chicken, covering every bit.
- Don't Skip The Browning
- Get a big skillet nice and hot over medium-high heat. Throw in 2 tablespoons each of butter and olive oil. When the butter's bubbling away, carefully add your seasoned chicken. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until they're golden brown. This step adds so much flavor to the whole dish.
- Whipping Up The Sauce
- In your slow cooker, mix 1 cup chicken broth with 2 tablespoons cornstarch until it's totally smooth. Pour in 1 cup heavy cream, add 6 chopped garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, and a little sprinkle of red pepper flakes. This mixture forms the base of your amazing sauce.
- Letting It Cook Slowly
- Put the browned chicken into the slow cooker, tucking it into the sauce. Pour any juices from the pan right over the chicken—those browned bits are flavor gold! Sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes on top. Cover and let it cook on low for 6-7 hours, letting all those flavors mingle.
- Getting That Perfect Sauce
- The trick to that velvety sauce is when you add the Parmesan cheese. Don't throw it in too early or your sauce might break. Wait until the last 30 minutes of cooking time. This way, the cheese melts perfectly and creates that irresistible creamy texture.
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Smart Cooking Temperature Advice
You might want to speed things up by cooking on high, but trust me—low and slow is the way to go here. It develops those deep flavors and keeps your chicken tender. Higher temps can make the cream separate and turn your chicken tough.
I come from an Italian family where I learned that the best food often uses just a few good ingredients cooked with love. The sun-dried tomatoes in this dish always remind me of my grandma's garden where she'd dry tomatoes in the summer sunshine.
Wrapping Up
This Marry Me Chicken has become my go-to dish when I want to impress someone. The way the chicken gets so tender you can cut it with a fork, while soaking up all those amazing flavors, always gets compliments. It's the kind of food that creates memories and might even lead to a marriage proposal!
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → What’s the story behind the name Marry Me Chicken?
- The dish is rumored to be so irresistible that people have proposed after tasting it!
- → Can I use the high setting on my slow cooker?
- Stick to the low setting for 6-7 hours. It keeps the chicken tender and the sauce creamy without separating.
- → What sides go with this dish?
- Serve with pasta, bread, rice, or mashed potatoes to soak up that rich sauce.
- → Is it okay to substitute chicken thighs for breasts?
- Sure! Thighs are a great option since they stay super moist and soft during cooking.
- → Why bother searing the chicken beforehand?
- It locks in the flavor and gives the chicken a gorgeous golden finish before slow cooking.