Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken is a dish a lot of people swear by. It’s creamy, has tangy sun dried tomatoes, and you basically toss everything in the cooker and let it do its magic. They say the name come from how good this is for a date night or a cozy family dinner. You get tender chicken and a rich sauce that makes you wanna ask for seconds.
The reason slow cooker is popular is ‘cause it’s easy. You start it in the morning, head out to school or work, then dinner is ready when you get back. Busy folks love that. Low heat for hours means flavours meld well and you don’t gotta stand by the stove all day.
This article is gonna show you how to make this dish, share tips, fix common mistakes, and even tell you a bit of its backstory. Whether you cook a lot or never used a slow cooker before, you’ll find it pretty simple. Let’s dive in!
What is Marry Me Chicken?
Marry Me Chicken is a tasty creamy chicken dinner that lives up to its romantic name. It usually stars at dinner parties and has become a favourite for cooks who want comfort with a touch of class. The dish have tender chicken breasts in a cream cheese sauce studded with sun dried tomatoes, garlic, and Italian herbs. It looks pretty and tastes even better, so everyone at the table asks for more.
The origin is somewhat of a mistery, with lots of stories floating around. Some say the rich flavours makes it perfect for a proposal. Others think it got its name from couples posting it online and saying they fell in love with the recipe. No matter how it started, Marry Me Chicken is everywhere on food blogs and social media.
The Allure of Slow Cooking
The slow cooker changed the way we cook, especially for busy households. One big benefit is you can make amazing meals with hardly any work. You just add the ingredients, set low heat, and walk away for hours.
Slow cooking is best for meats, stews, and casseroles because it breaks down tougher cuts and blends flavours better than quick stove methods. This frees up your time—you dont have to babysit the food. Prep in the morning, set it on low, and come home to a fragrant, ready-to-eat meal.
Ingredients for Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken
Here’s what you need to make this yummy dish. You can also tweak some items if you want.
Main Ingredients
- Chicken breasts: 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Cream cheese: 8 oz of softened cream cheese
- Sun-dried tomatoes: 1 cup chopped
- Garlic: 3 cloves minced
- Italian seasoning: 1 tsp
- Chicken broth (or white wine): 1 cup
- Salt and pepper: to taste
- Fresh basil: chopped, for garnish
Optional Ingredients
- Spinach: Adds colour and nutrients
- Parmesan cheese: Sprinkle grated before serving
- Roasted red peppers: If you cant find sun-dried tomatoes
Ingredient Substitutions
If you have dietary needs or want to mix it up, try these:
- Non-dairy cream cheese: For a vegan twist
- Roasted red peppers: Instead of tomatoes
Nutritional Information
Knowing the nutrition helps you make smart choices. Here’s an estimate per serving:
- Calories: Around 350
- Protein: About 30g
- Fat: Roughly 20g
- Carbs: Less than 10g
Chicken gives protein, tomatoes and garlic bring antioxidants and vitamins, so it’s not just tasty but also pretty good for you.
Detailed Recipe Section
Ingredients List
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup chicken broth (or white wine)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Fresh basil (for garnish)
Directions
- Lightly grease the slow cooker or use a liner.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper, place at the bottom of cooker.
- In a bowl mix cream cheese, tomatoes, garlic, and seasoning.
- Spoon that mix over the chicken.
- Pour broth or wine on top.
- Cover and cook on low for 4–6 hours or high for 2–3 hours, until chicken’s done.
- If you like, shred chicken with two forks for a rustic feel.
- Serve hot with basil garnish alongside pasta, rice, or veggies.
Serving Suggestions
- Pasta tossed in olive oil and garlic
- Garlic bread for a crunchy, buttery side
- Roasted seasonal vegetables
Cooking Tips and Advice
- Best flavor: Let cream cheese soften fully before mixing to avoid lumps.
- Leftovers: Store in an airtight container in fridge up to 3 days or freeze for 2 months.
- Add spice: Throw in red pepper flakes if you want heat.
Ways to Customize Your Marry Me Chicken
Adding Vegetables
Boost nutrition and colour by stirring in:
- Spinach
- Bell peppers
- Mushrooms
Variations
Try swapping proteins or sides:
- Ground turkey or chicken for a leaner meal
- Firm tofu for a vegetarian option
- Gluten-free pasta or rice for GF diets
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcooking: Sticks to time suggestions or chicken gets dry.
- Under-seasoning: Always season well or it tastes flat.
- Low-quality ingredients: Fresh stuff makes a big difference.
Popular Side Dishes to Serve
Pair your Marry Me Chicken with these crowd-pleasers:
- Garlic Bread: Slice a baguette, spread garlic butter, and toast.
- Roasted Vegetables: Toss veggies with oil, salt, and pepper, then roast.
- Simple Green Salad: Stir mixed greens with your favorite vinaigrette.
Marry Me Chicken in Popular Culture
This dish has blown up on social media, with couples and families sharing pics and stories. It’s often tagged as a go-to for date nights. Food bloggers and influencers keep reinventing it, so it stays popular.
Whether for a special occasion or a chill weeknight, people love to tweak it and post their own versions.
FAQs
- What is the origin of Marry Me Chicken?
No for sure origin story, but most say it’s tied to romantic dinners because of its rich taste. - Can I make it in advance?
Sure, prep ingredients and stick them in the fridge, then cook later. - How do I know when chicken is cooked?
It should hit 165°F (75°C) inside. - What to serve with it?
Pasta, rice, garlic bread, and roasted veggies are all good. - Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes but add extra cook time and check the temp. - How to store leftovers?
Fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for longer.
Conclusion
Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken is simple, tasty, and brings people together. With a basic recipe and tons of tweaks, even newbies can make something special. We hope you try it and impress your fam or friends.
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Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken
Equipment
- 1 slow cooker
- 1 measuring cups
- 1 measuring spoons
- 1 wooden spoon
- 1 cutting board
Ingredients
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts About 1.5 lbs total.
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes Packed in oil, chopped.
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cloves garlic Minced.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil Chopped (for garnish).
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker in a single layer.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the heavy cream, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until combined.
- Pour the creamy mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker, ensuring that the chicken is covered.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Once cooked, carefully remove the chicken breasts and place them on a serving platter.
- Stir the sauce in the slow cooker to ensure it is well combined.
- Spoon the sauce over the chicken breasts and garnish with chopped fresh basil.
- Serve hot with your choice of pasta, rice, or crusty bread.
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