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Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken - Creamy, Cozy, and Crowd-Pleasing

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for extra tenderness)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for depth)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and sliced
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or a mix of dried basil and oregano)
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for gentle heat)
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter sauce)
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (optional, for extra richness)
  • Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish
  • Cooked pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes, for serving

Method
 

  1. Season the chicken. Pat the chicken dry. In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Rub evenly over the chicken.
  2. Sear for flavor (optional but recommended). Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high. Sear chicken 2–3 minutes per side until lightly golden. You’re not cooking it through—just building flavor.
  3. Layer the slow cooker. Add garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes to the slow cooker. Nestle the chicken into the mixture, turning to coat.
  4. Slow cook. Cover and cook on Low for 3.5–4.5 hours or on High for 2–3 hours, until the chicken is just cooked through and tender.
  5. Finish the sauce. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, and butter. Cover and cook on Low for 15–20 more minutes, just until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
  6. Shred or slice. Remove the chicken and slice, cube, or shred it. Return it to the sauce and stir to coat. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
  7. Serve. Spoon the chicken and sauce over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes. Top with chopped basil or parsley and a pinch of extra Parmesan.