Crockpot Marry Me Chicken is an easy slow cooker dinner with tender chicken, a luscious Parmesan cream sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil.
Author’s Notes
My “Marry Me” Obsession Continues
It’s no secret I’m obsessed with “marry me” flavors, which means Parmesan cream sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and plenty of fresh basil. I’ve used this combo in my original Marry Me Chicken, a one-pan tortellini dish, and even a soup!
Turning those flavors into a crockpot recipe for an easy weeknight dinner just makes sense. This meal comes together with little effort and is wildly delicious.
The chicken turns out so tender it practically melts in your mouth, and tossed with pasta? Absolutely divine!
Crockpot Marry Me Chicken Ingredients
| Ingredient | Helpful Tip |
|---|---|
| Chicken thighs, salt, pepper | Thighs stay tender in the slow cooker and shred really easily after cooking. |
| Onion, garlic, butter, flour, chicken broth | Cook these together first to build a flavorful base before adding to the crockpot. This step also helps the final sauce turn out thick and creamy. |
| Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes | Seasonings add depth. Add red pepper flakes for some heat and additional flavor. |
| Sun-dried tomatoes, cream, Dijon, Parmesan | Stir in at the end for a creamy, tangy, and rich sauce that balances the chicken perfectly. |
| Fresh basil, spaghetti (optional) | Add basil just before serving for freshness. Pair with pasta or rice to make it a full meal. |
How to Make Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
- Prepare chicken: Trim and season chicken thighs, then place in the slow cooker.
- Make sauce base: Cook onion, garlic, butter, flour, and broth on the stove until thick.
- Slow cook: Add seasonings, cover, and cook until the chicken is tender.
- Stir in creamy mix: Add sun-dried tomatoes, cream, Dijon, and Parmesan.
- Finish and serve: Return chicken, stir in basil, and serve over pasta or rice.
Quick Tip
If Serving Over Pasta: Before draining the pasta, reserve 1 cup of the cooking water. Use it to thin the sauce if needed.
More Easy Crockpot Dinners:
Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
Crockpot Marry Me Chicken is an easy slow cooker meal with tender chicken in a creamy Parmesan sauce, finished with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (5 thighs), trim large pieces of fat
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup finely diced onion 1/2 large yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
Add Later
- 1/2 cup finely diced sun-dried tomatoes in oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard
- 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese see note 1
- 3/4 cup ribboned fresh basil optional (one .75 oz packet)
- spaghetti for serving, optional, see note 2
Instructions
- Trim large pieces of fat and gristle from chicken thighs. Season with salt and pepper. Place thighs in a single layer, smooth side down, in the slow cooker.
- In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds. Sprinkle flour over onions and whisk for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in chicken broth until smooth and slightly thickened. Remove from heat and pour mixture over chicken in the slow cooker, spreading evenly to cover.
- Sprinkle Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes (if using) over the chicken. Cover and cook on High for 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 hours or on Low for 4-6 hours, until chicken is very tender and shreds easily.
- Remove chicken to a plate or bowl and shred or thinly slice. Meanwhile, add sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, Dijon, and Parmesan to the slow cooker. Whisk until smooth. Cover and cook for 5–10 minutes while preparing chicken.
- Return chicken to the slow cooker and stir in basil. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve over spaghetti, if desired.
Recipe Notes
Note 1: Grab a block of Parmesan and grate it on a microplane for super-fine shreds. Lightly pack into the measuring cup for an accurate measurement.
Note 2: If serving with spaghetti, reserve some pasta cooking water before draining. Toss it with the Marry Me Chicken sauce and spaghetti to help everything blend nicely.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave. If the sauce thickens, stir in a splash of broth or cream to loosen.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 740kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 53g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 276mg | Sodium: 1277mg | Potassium: 1304mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1220IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 215mg | Iron: 4mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave. Sauce may thicken; stir in a splash of broth or cream to loosen.
Serving Suggestions
Crockpot Marry Me Chicken is delicious on its own, but even better with a base or side!
- Over pasta: Spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne are great for soaking up the sauce.
- With rice or grains: Serve over white rice, brown rice, or quinoa for a hearty meal.
- With bread: Pair with garlic bread or warm focaccia to mop up extra sauce. You can also use the chicken as a filling for a delicious sandwich melt.
- With veggies: A side salad, roasted green beans, or broccoli to balance the richness.
- As leftovers: Spoon the chicken and sauce over baked potatoes for a quick second meal.
Crockpot Marry Me Chicken Tips
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Choose ones packed with herbs for more flavor.
- Dijon mustard: Use smooth Dijon so the sauce stays creamy.
- Don’t overcook: Check at the lower end of the cook time for the juiciest chicken.
- Fresh Parmesan: Grate it yourself for the smoothest, best-melting sauce.
- Add basil last: Stir it in just before serving to keep it bright and fresh.
