Description
Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken is a creamy, comforting, and easy weeknight meal featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich Tuscan-inspired tomato cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and spinach. This hands-off recipe is perfect for busy days and pairs wonderfully with rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 15-ounce can of tomato sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon sugar
Chicken and Toppings
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or chicken thighs)
- ⅓ cup sun dried tomatoes in oil, lightly drained before chopping
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups baby spinach
Instructions
- Make the Sauce: Add the tomato sauce, minced garlic, kosher salt, dried thyme, and freshly ground black pepper into a 4- or 6-quart slow cooker. Stir to combine everything evenly. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and cornstarch until smooth to prevent lumps. Pour this mixture into the slow cooker along with the tomato sauce and whisk well until the sauce is fully blended.
- Add the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts into the slow cooker and gently turn them to coat thoroughly with the sauce. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is tender throughout.
- Finish the Sauce: Use tongs to transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board and let it rest while you finish the sauce. To the slow cooker, add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, grated Parmesan cheese, and sugar. Stir the mixture until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth. Then add the baby spinach and stir just until wilted, maintaining its vibrant color.
- Serve: Slice the rested chicken breasts across the grain if desired. You can return the sliced chicken to the sauce in the slow cooker to warm through before serving, or serve the slices topped with spoonfuls of the creamy sauce. This dish pairs beautifully with rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes for a full meal.
Notes
- This recipe provides a creamy, cozy, and fuss-free weeknight dinner that feels indulgent yet is simple to make.
- Using boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts works just as well and can add extra moisture.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
- The sauce thickens nicely thanks to the cornstarch mixed into the cream.
- You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (of 6)
- Calories: 387 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 716 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
