Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken is a creamy, flavorful dish that’s sure to impress anyone at your dinner table. The rich combination of sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and ranch seasoning comes together to create a luscious sauce that coats the tender chicken. Best of all, this dish is made in the slow cooker, so you can enjoy a hearty, home-cooked meal with minimal effort. With just a few simple ingredients and some hands-off cooking, you’ll have a delicious dinner that feels like a special occasion.

This dish earned its name for a reason—it’s that good! The chicken becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender as it cooks slowly in the creamy sauce, absorbing all the flavors and spices. Serve it over a bed of pasta, rice, or with some steamed veggies for a balanced meal. Whether it’s date night, family dinner, or just because, this recipe is perfect for any occasion.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Simple Ingredients

This recipe uses basic pantry staples and a few flavorful additions like sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and ranch seasoning to create a rich, creamy dish.

2. Minimal Effort

The slow cooker does all the work, allowing you to relax and do other things while the chicken becomes tender and flavorful.

3. Rich, Creamy Sauce

The sauce is a perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and savory flavors with the added depth of sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan.

4. Versatile Side Pairings

This dish is great served with a variety of sides like pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables, making it easy to customize based on what you have on hand.

5. Perfect for Meal Prep

This recipe can be made in advance and stored in the fridge, making it ideal for leftovers or meal prep throughout the week.

Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 packet ranch seasoning mix
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste

Variations

Add Vegetables: Add spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers to the slow cooker for extra flavor and texture.
Make it Spicy: If you like spice, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a chopped jalapeño for an extra kick.
Use Chicken Thighs: Swap the chicken breasts for boneless skinless chicken thighs for a juicier, more flavorful alternative.
Dairy-Free Version: Use coconut cream or a dairy-free heavy cream substitute along with dairy-free Parmesan for a dairy-free version of the dish.

How to Make the Recipe

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then sear them for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned.

Step 2: Transfer to Crock Pot

Transfer the seared chicken breasts to the crock pot.

Step 3: Prepare the Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together the ranch seasoning, heavy cream, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, and red pepper flakes.

Step 4: Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Parmesan

Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken breasts in the crock pot. Top with chopped sun-dried tomatoes and grated Parmesan cheese.

Step 5: Cook

Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 4-6 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.

Step 6: Serve

Once the chicken is done, serve it with pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. Spoon the creamy sauce over the chicken and enjoy!

Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Skip Searing the Chicken: Searing the chicken before adding it to the crock pot helps to lock in the flavor and adds a nice color to the dish.
Adjust Consistency: If you prefer a thicker sauce, let the slow cooker cook uncovered for the last 30 minutes to reduce the sauce, or add a bit more Parmesan cheese.
Check for Doneness: Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it’s fully cooked.
Leftover Sauce: If you have leftover sauce, it’s delicious on pasta or as a dip for bread.

How to Serve

With Pasta: Serve the creamy chicken over cooked pasta, such as fettuccine or penne, for a rich and filling meal.
With Rice: Serve over steamed white or brown rice for a comforting, hearty meal.
With Steamed Vegetables: Pair with steamed vegetables like broccoli or green beans for a lighter, healthy side.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Freezing

This dish freezes well. Let the chicken cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When ready to serve, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat thoroughly.

Reheating

To reheat, simply place the leftovers in a skillet over medium heat or microwave until heated through. Add a splash of cream or broth to rehydrate the sauce if needed.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen chicken?

Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but be sure to cook it on the low setting for the full 6-8 hours to ensure it’s fully cooked.

2. Can I add more sun-dried tomatoes?

Absolutely! If you love sun-dried tomatoes, feel free to add more for an extra burst of flavor.

3. Can I use regular cream instead of heavy cream?

Yes, you can use regular cream, but the sauce might be slightly thinner. Heavy cream creates a richer and thicker sauce.

4. Can I substitute the ranch seasoning mix?

Yes, you can make your own ranch seasoning by combining dried herbs like parsley, dill, garlic powder, and onion powder if you prefer.

5. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs are a great alternative and will give the dish a juicier, more flavorful result.

6. Is this recipe spicy?

It has a mild heat from the red pepper flakes. If you want it spicier, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add fresh chili.

7. Can I cook this on high in the crock pot?

Yes, if you’re short on time, you can cook the chicken on high for 3-4 hours, but the low setting is recommended for the best flavor and tenderness.

8. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare everything ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to cook. Just follow the recipe as usual.

9. How do I serve this dish?

Serve it with pasta, rice, or steamed vegetables. The creamy sauce pairs beautifully with these sides.

10. How can I make this dish dairy-free?

Use coconut cream or a dairy-free heavy cream substitute and opt for dairy-free Parmesan to make this dish dairy-free.

Conclusion

Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken is an easy, flavorful dish that combines creamy ranch-seasoned sauce with tender chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan. It’s a perfect meal for busy days when you want something comforting and delicious with minimal effort. Whether served with pasta, rice, or vegetables, this dish will quickly become a favorite. With simple ingredients and a slow cooker that does all the work, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.