Marry Me Slow Cooker Chicken (Printable Version)
Tender chicken breasts slow-cooked in creamy sun-dried tomato sauce with herbs and Parmesan.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
02 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Sauce
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
08 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
09 - 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and sliced
10 - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
11 - 1 cup heavy cream
12 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ To Finish
13 - 1/4 cup fresh basil, sliced
14 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste
# How to Make It:
01 - Season chicken breasts on both sides with kosher salt and black pepper, ensuring even coverage.
02 - Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly golden. This step enhances flavor but is optional.
03 - Transfer seared chicken breasts to slow cooker, arranging in single layer.
04 - Whisk together garlic, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, and heavy cream until well combined.
05 - Pour cream mixture over chicken. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese evenly across the top.
06 - Cover and cook on low heat for 3-4 hours until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F and is tender.
07 - Remove chicken from slow cooker. Stir sauce to combine, then return chicken to coat thoroughly.
08 - Top with fresh basil slices and additional black pepper. Serve immediately with pasta, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables.
# Expert Insights:
01 -
- The sauce develops this incredible depth that tastes like you simmered it all day, even though your slow cooker did all the heavy lifting
- Leftovers somehow taste even better the next day, if you manage to have any
02 -
- Searing the chicken first makes a huge difference in flavor, but if you're truly pressed for time, you can skip it and still end up with delicious results
- The sauce will look quite thin when you first pour it in, but trust the process—it thickens beautifully as it cooks
03 -
- Patting the chicken completely dry before seasoning helps it sear better and develop that gorgeous golden crust
- Letting the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving helps it retain all those juices