Crockpot Marry Me Chicken is a simple slow-cooker dinner featuring tender chicken in a creamy Parmesan sauce, bright sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil. It’s easy to assemble and makes a comforting weeknight meal that’s delicious served over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread.
Author’s Notes
My “Marry Me” Obsession Continues
I love the classic “marry me” combination: a silky Parmesan cream sauce, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and lots of fresh basil. I’ve used these flavors in other dishes, and turning them into a crockpot recipe made for an easy, hands-off dinner that still tastes special.
The slow cooker yields incredibly tender chicken that falls apart easily. Tossed with pasta or served over rice, this dish is rich, comforting, and surprisingly effortless.
Crockpot Marry Me Chicken Ingredients
| Ingredient | Helpful Tip |
|---|---|
| Chicken thighs, salt, pepper | Thighs stay moist in the slow cooker and shred easily after cooking. |
| Onion, garlic, butter, flour, chicken broth | Sautéing these first builds flavor and helps the sauce thicken before it goes in the crockpot. |
| Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes | These add depth; red pepper flakes give a touch of heat if desired. |
| Sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, Dijon, Parmesan | Stir in at the end for a rich, tangy finish that complements the chicken. |
| Fresh basil, spaghetti (optional) | Add basil right before serving for brightness. Serve with pasta, rice, or crusty bread. |
How to Make Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
- Prepare the chicken: Trim excess fat and season the thighs with salt and pepper. Arrange them in a single layer, smooth side down, in the slow cooker.
- Make the sauce base: In a skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter and sauté the onion until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Sprinkle in flour, whisk for 1 minute, then gradually whisk in chicken broth until smooth and slightly thickened. Pour this mixture over the chicken in the crockpot.
- Slow cook: Sprinkle Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes (if using) over the chicken. Cover and cook on High for 2½–3½ hours or on Low for 4–6 hours, until the chicken is very tender and shreds easily.
- Finish the sauce: Remove the chicken to shred or slice. Add sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, Dijon, and Parmesan to the crockpot and whisk until smooth. Cover and cook 5–10 minutes to warm and thicken the sauce.
- Serve: Return the chicken to the sauce, stir in ribboned basil, taste and adjust seasonings, then serve over spaghetti, rice, or with bread.
Quick Tip
If serving over pasta, save 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining. Use a splash to loosen the sauce so it clings to the noodles.
More Easy Crockpot Dinners:
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Crockpot Roast Recipe
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Crockpot Cowboy Casserole
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Crack Chicken Chili (Crockpot!)
Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
Equipment
- 6-quart Crock-Pot
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 5), trimmed of large pieces of fat
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup finely diced onion (about ½ large yellow onion)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup finely diced sun-dried tomatoes in oil
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard
- ⅓ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- ¾ cup ribboned fresh basil (optional)
- Spaghetti for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Trim excess fat and gristle from the thighs, season with salt and pepper, and place them smooth-side down in the slow cooker.
- Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Sprinkle flour over the onions and whisk for 1 minute, then gradually whisk in chicken broth until smooth and slightly thickened. Pour over the chicken in the crockpot.
- Sprinkle Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes over the chicken. Cover and cook on High for 2½–3½ hours or on Low for 4–6 hours, until the chicken is very tender and shreds easily.
- Remove the chicken to a plate and shred or thinly slice. Add sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, Dijon, and Parmesan to the slow cooker and whisk until smooth. Cover and cook 5–10 minutes to warm the sauce.
- Return the chicken to the crockpot, stir in basil, taste and adjust seasoning, then serve over spaghetti or your preferred base.
Recipe Notes
Note 1: Freshly grate a block of Parmesan on a microplane for the best texture; lightly pack the cheese into the measuring cup to match the amount called for.
Note 2: If serving with pasta, reserve some pasta cooking water before draining and toss a splash with the sauce and pasta so the sauce coats the noodles evenly.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, and add a little broth or cream if the sauce thickens.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation and should be used as a guide.
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 becomes too thick, stir in a splash of broth or cream to loosen it.
Serving Suggestions
This Marry Me Chicken is lovely on its own, but pairing it with a base or side turns it into a satisfying meal.
- Over pasta: Spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne are ideal for soaking up the sauce.
- With rice or grains: Serve over white rice, brown rice, or quinoa for a hearty option.
- With bread: Garlic bread or warm focaccia are perfect for mopping up extra sauce, and the chicken also makes a delicious sandwich filling.
- With vegetables: A crisp salad, roasted green beans, or roasted broccoli balance the richness nicely.
- 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 in oil with herbs for extra flavor.
- Dijon mustard: Use a smooth Dijon so the sauce remains velvety.
- Don’t overcook: Check the chicken at the lower end of the suggested cook time to keep it juicy.
- Fresh Parmesan: Grating fresh Parmesan yields the best melting and flavor.
- Add basil last: Stir in fresh basil just before serving so it stays bright and fragrant.