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Indulge in the rich flavors of sun-dried tomatoes, fresh herbs, and Parmesan cream sauce with this easy slow-cooked meal. This recipe is gluten-free, high in protein, and low in carbs, making it a guilt-free comfort food.
You’ve probably heard the saying: the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach.
I cannot tell you how true this is.
It was the first time I was meeting my in-laws. I was nervous and didn’t know what I was going to make.
I needed time to get ready, but also create a delicious meal.
This crockpot Marry Me chicken was just the perfect solution.
And let me tell you, I made the right decision.
My in-laws enjoy the meal and everyone ended up having a great time. So, if you need some quick and delicious, I’ve got you covered.
The texture in this meal is out of this world. Because you use a slow cooker, the chicken cooks in a delicious, seasoned broth, creating a creamy, moist chicken.
Every bite you take is a tasty blend of complex flavors. You get hints of sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, parmesan, and garlic.
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Pin ItAnd, each serving provides 47 grams of protein and only 8.2 grams of net carbs. This makes it a great low-carb option, perfect for anyone who wants to take care of their health.
Ingredients and Substitutes
Chicken breasts, boneless and skinless (4) – You can use chicken thighs if you want something a bit juicier or turkey breast if you want a great alternative. If you are looking to make a plant-based recipe, you can use cubed firm tofu.
Sea salt (1 tsp)
Black pepper (½ tsp)
Virgin olive oil (1 tbsp) –Swap with avocado oil, coconut oil, or canola oil.
Unsalted butter (1 tbsp) – Ghee is a great alternative.
Chicken broth (1 cup) – Substitute with vegetable broth or beef broth.
Cornstarch (1 tbsp) – Replace with arrowroot powder, tapioca starch, or xanthan gum. While cornstarch is naturally gluten-free, make sure you use a certified cornstarch to ensure it’s a gluten-free meal.
Garlic, minced (4 cloves) – Garlic powder or garlic paste are good options.
Smoked paprika (1 tsp) – You can use regular paprika or chili powder.
Crushed red pepper (1/2 tsp) – Swap with cayenne pepper or chili flakes.
Dried basil (1/2 tsp) – You can use fresh basil or Italian seasoning.
Dried oregano (1 tsp) – You can replace it with fresh oregano.
Dried thyme (¼ tsp) – Replace with fresh thyme.
Sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (½ cup) – Substitute with fresh cherry tomatoes or canned fire-roasted tomatoes.
Heavy cream, warmed slightly in the microwave (1 cup) – Swap with half-and-half or full-fat coconut milk if you want a plant-based alternative.
Grated Parmesan cheese (½ cup) – Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano are good alternatives. And, you can use nutritional yeast for a plant-based option.
Fresh basil leaves, chopped (2 tbsp) – You can use fresh parsley or cilantro.
How to Make Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
Step 1. Take the chicken breasts and season them with sea salt and black pepper.
Step 2. Grab a large skillet and place it over medium heat. Add the olive oil and then the chicken breasts.
Step 3. Sear the chicken breasts 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are lightly golden.
Step 4. Place the chicken breasts into the crockpot, including any butter and juices from the pan.
Step 5. In a small bowl, whisk the chicken broth and cornstarch.
Step 6. Add the minced garlic, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper, dried basil, dried oregano, and dried thyme.
Step 7. Give the ingredients a good stir to mix everything.
Step 8. Pour the mixture over the chicken.
Step 9. Add the sun-dried tomatoes on top of the chicken breasts. Cover and let it cook for 3-4 hours on low or 1.5-2 hours on high.
Step 10. Once it’s cooked, remove the chicken from the crockpot and set it to the side. Add the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
Step 11. Stir to combine all the ingredients and create a creamy sauce.
Step 12. Place the chicken back into the crockpot and let it warm for about 10-15 minutes. This is going to let the chicken absorb all the flavors.
When you are ready to serve it, sprinkle some fresh chopped basil on top.
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Pin ItHow I Would Modify This Recipe
- Add More Veggies: Try adding spinach (15 minutes before serving), mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant.
- Kick up the Heat: If you like extra spicy food, try adding more red pepper flakes or some jalapeño slices.
- Make it Dairy–Free: Swap the butter for extra virgin olive oil, use full-fat coconut milk instead of heavy cream, and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.
What I Would Serve with This Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
- Zucchini noodles
- Angles hair pasta
- Mashed potatoes
- Rice
- Cauliflower rice
- Crusty bread
- Roasted vegetables
- Arugula salad
My Tips & Tricks
- Warm the Cream: Don’t add cold heavy cream to the slow cooker since it might curdle or split. Make sure you warm it slightly in the microwave before you add it to the crockpot.
- Use Fresh Parmesan: Pre-grated cheese often has anti-caking agents that can prevent the cheese from melting. It’s better if you can grate the Parmesan cheese yourself.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Always try to finish the meal with fresh herbs, instead of using dried ones. This is going to add a freshness to the dish that will contrast nicely with the creamy sauce.
My Storage Tips
If you’ve managed to have some leftovers, transfer them to an airtight container. Place them in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
When you are ready to have it, place the sauce over low heat to warm it up. If the sauce is too dry, try adding a splash of chicken broth or water.
You can also place it in a freezer-safe container and keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months. It’s a great meal to have in case of an emergency.
More Crockpot Recipes
Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
Cals: 585 Protein: 47.6 Carbs: 9.8 Fat: 37.8
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts boneless and skinless
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp dried thyme
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream warmed slightly in the microwave
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves chopped
Instructions
- Season the chicken breasts evenly with the sea salt and black pepper. Heat the olive oil and butter together in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chicken and sear for about 2–3 minutes per side, just until lightly golden. Transfer the chicken to the crockpot, including any remaining butter and pan juices.
- In a bowl, whisk together the chicken broth and cornstarch until smooth. Add the minced garlic, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper, dried basil, dried oregano, and dried thyme. Stir well to combine, then pour the mixture evenly over the chicken in the crockpot.
- Sprinkle the chopped sun-dried tomatoes over the top of the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 3–4 hours or high for 1½–2 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the crockpot and set it aside, keeping it warm.
- Warm up the heavy cream slightly in a microwave. Add the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese to the sauce in the crockpot. Stir until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Return the chicken to the crockpot and spoon the sauce over the top. Let it sit on the warm setting for about 5–10 minutes to allow the flavors to come together.
- Finish by sprinkling the chopped fresh basil over the chicken before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
