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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 slow cooking, soaking up all the wonderful tastes of garlic, sun dried tomatoes, and herbs. You'll end up with a fancy-looking meal that's actually pretty easy to make in your slow cooker.
I've made this so many times now, and I've noticed the slow cooking actually makes everything taste better than cooking it on the stove. The first time I made this for my family, my husband scraped his plate completely clean – that's how tasty it is!
Key Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Pick good quality, similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly
- Heavy cream: Makes the base for that rich, velvety sauce
- Sun dried tomatoes: Gives strong flavor and nice red color
- Fresh garlic: Needed for that real Italian flavor
- Parmesan cheese: Grate it yourself for better melting and taste
- Fresh basil: Adds freshness and lifts the whole dish.
How To Make It
- Getting The Chicken Ready
- Start by completely drying the chicken breasts with paper towels so they'll brown properly. Mix 1 teaspoon each of salt, garlic powder, and onion powder with 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Rub this mix all over both sides of the chicken, covering every bit.
- Browning For Better Flavor
- Get a big skillet hot over medium-high heat. Throw in 2 tablespoons each of butter and olive oil. When the butter is bubbling, carefully put in your seasoned chicken. Brown it for 3-4 minutes per side until it looks golden. This step builds a tasty crust that makes the whole dish better.
- Making Your Amazing Sauce
- In your slow cooker, mix 1 cup chicken broth with 2 tablespoons cornstarch until smooth. Add 1 cup heavy cream, 6 chopped garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, and a little bit of red pepper flakes. This mix forms the base of your wonderful sauce.
- The Slow Cooking Process
- Put the browned chicken into the slow cooker, tucking it into the sauce. Pour any juices from the pan over the chicken – those brown bits have tons of flavor. Sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped sun dried tomatoes on top. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, letting all the flavors come together.
- The Trick To Perfect Sauce
- Getting that smooth, silky sauce depends on when you add the Parmesan. Don't put it in too early or the sauce might break apart. Wait until the last 30 minutes of cooking time. This also helps the cheese melt perfectly into the sauce, giving you that irresistible creamy texture.
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Smart Cooking Temperature Advice
You might want to cook this on high to save time, but the slow, low-heat method really matters for building deep flavors and keeping the chicken tender. Higher heat can make the cream separate and turn the chicken tough.
I come from an Italian family where I learned that the tastiest dishes are often simple ones made with care and good ingredients. The sun dried tomatoes in this dish remind me of my grandma's garden where she used to dry her own tomatoes in the summer sun.
Wrapping Up
This Marry Me Chicken has become the dish I'm known for at special events. The way the chicken gets so tender while taking in all those fantastic flavors always wows everyone. It's the kind of food that creates lasting memories and, yeah, might actually lead to a marriage proposal!
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → What's the story behind this chicken's name?
- This dish got its nickname because it's supposedly so tasty that making it might get you a wedding proposal!
- → Can I cook this faster on high heat?
- It's best to only use low heat for 6-7 hours to keep the chicken tender and stop the cream from breaking down.
- → What sides go well with this dish?
- It tastes great with noodles, rice, potato mash, or a chunk of bread for soaking up all that yummy sauce.
- → Will chicken thighs work in this recipe?
- Absolutely, boneless skinless thighs are a great choice and they'll stay even juicier during the long cooking time.
- → Do I really need to brown the chicken first?
- Browning adds tons of taste and gives your chicken a nice golden outside before the slow cooking starts.