- What is Marry Me Chicken?
- How to make Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
- Marry Me Chicken Recipe Tips
- Crockpot Marry Me Chicken Ingredient Substitutions
- What goes well with Crockpot Marry Me Chicken?
- Common Questions
- Try This Killer Crockpot Pasta – You’ll Thank Me!
Marry Me Chicken Pasta Crockpot changed my whole week. I swear, I used to dread coming home after work, opening the fridge, and just seeing random, boring stuff. But the first time I decided to throw together this recipe? Whoa. Dinner was actually exciting. No hours spent babysitting a sizzling pan, no ten million dirty dishes. Just my good ol’ crockpot chugging away, filling my tiny kitchen with the most mouthwatering smell. If you love a hearty pasta dinner but can’t stand fussy prep, this one’s your new best friend.
What is Marry Me Chicken?
Okay, so let’s clear up the funny name first, right? “Marry Me Chicken” kind of sounds dramatic at first, but once you taste it, you totally get why people claim it’s proposal worthy. Picture this: creamy sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, juicy chicken, parmesan, a little garlic. The flavors basically flirt with your tastebuds. Some folks say the original recipe came from a fancy restaurant, and whoever ate it loved it so much, someone actually shouted, “I’d marry you for this chicken!”
For me, Marry Me Chicken isn’t just delicious. It’s comfort food, but with a little fancy twist (without fancy effort). The fun part about the crockpot version? No mess, no stress, and dude, the pasta soaks up all those dreamy flavors. If you make this just once, I pretty much guarantee you’ll start craving it on a random Tuesday.
How to make Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
I’m not even kidding, you’ll be shocked how easy this is. There’s nothing wild here. You dump almost everything in your crockpot and then just… forget about it for a bit. Here’s what you do: Season your chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning. Layer ‘em on the bottom of the crockpot. Toss in chopped garlic, sun-dried tomatoes (the ones in oil, yum), and pour over some chicken broth and heavy cream. Don’t freak out if it looks messy. That’s normal. Cook on low for four hours.
When the chicken’s cooked through and crazy tender, shred it up with two forks right in the crockpot. Now this is where the pasta comes in. Stir in dry pasta (penne works great, but you can get creative), a little more broth, and a ton of freshly grated parmesan. Lid back on, and about 25 minutes later, you’ll open it up and… well, try not to just face-plant into the crockpot. Stir it well. Taste and tweak the seasoning. I like a little cracked black pepper on top. If you want it saucier, add a splash more cream.
Honestly, that’s all there is. No stovetop juggling, no standing around. Kind of magical, if you ask me.
“This recipe saved me after a long shift. Tastes like a five-star restaurant but with less cleanup than boxed mac and cheese. Even my picky husband had seconds.” – Tina, New Jersey
Marry Me Chicken Recipe Tips
Let me tell you, after making this Marry Me Chicken Pasta Crockpot dish (…uh, more times than I’ll admit), I’ve picked up some weirdly useful tricks. First, use chicken thighs if you want it extra juicy. They don’t dry out like chicken breasts can. The sun-dried tomatoes are non-negotiable for flavor, but you can chop them up smaller if chunky isn’t your style.
Don’t rush the pasta. It sounds tempting to blast it on high, but slow and steady makes sure it cooks perfectly in the sauce. If your crockpot runs hot, check your noodles early. And oh! Grate your own parmesan – that weird powdery stuff in a can does this recipe dirty.
One time I tried swapping cream with milk to “cut calories.” Don’t do it. The sauce lost its magic and I regretted it the whole meal. Go for the real deal and thank me later.
Adding a sprinkle of red pepper flakes at the end gives it a sneaky kick (just a bit – don’t go wild unless you’re wild). If your slow cooker is on the smaller side, halve the recipe so you don’t end up with a pasta explosion! Trust me, I’ve cleaned up that mess.
Crockpot Marry Me Chicken Ingredient Substitutions
Not everyone has a stocked pantry, and sometimes the grocery store lets you down. The good thing about this Marry Me Chicken Pasta Crockpot recipe is it’s forgiving. No sun-dried tomatoes? I’ve tossed in cherry tomatoes before. They melt down and are still tangy, especially a little roasted under the broiler first. For the cream, half-and-half works but honestly, the richer the better.
Try swapping penne for fusilli or even rigatoni for extra sauce pockets. If you’re dairy-free, oat cream with vegan cheese shreds can sorta work (not my fave, but my friend swears by it). Craving extra greens? Spinach tossed in during the last 10 minutes is amazing. My gluten-free cousin uses chickpea pasta and it honestly held up better than I expected.
Oh, and if you only have bone-in chicken? Take the skin off first. You don’t want weird rubbery bits, trust me. The recipe’s not super picky, so play around with what you like or what you find in the fridge.
What goes well with Crockpot Marry Me Chicken?
We gotta talk sides. Because as much as I’d love to live on the Marry Me Chicken Pasta Crockpot alone (no shame, it’s that addictive), there are a few simple sides that turn dinner into a showstopper.
- Garlic bread is a winner. Crunchy outside, soft inside, and it soaks up the sauce.
- Throw together a quick green salad. Some leafy lettuce, maybe sliced cucumbers, and a bright vinaigrette.
- Roasted broccoli or green beans pair great. You can even cook them while the pasta finishes.
- If you’re extra hungry, a bowl of soup (even if it’s just store-bought tomato) makes it a whole meal.
That’s pretty much my dream dinner lineup right there. Weeknight, weekend, holiday – doesn’t matter. Oh, and don’t forget to pour yourself a glass of wine!
Common Questions
Q: Can I use a different kind of pasta?
A: Sure thing. Just keep an eye on cook time since some noodles soak up sauce faster.
Q: Is this spicy?
A: Not really. But if you want heat, red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne changes the whole vibe.
Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
A: Yup, just add 30-40 minutes to the cook time. Make sure to check it’s cooked through.
Q: How do I store leftovers?
A: Pop ‘em in the fridge, sealed up tight, for up to three days. Reheat with a splash of broth.
Q: Do I have to use sun-dried tomatoes?
A: Nope! Fresh cherry tomatoes or even roasted red peppers switch things up if needed.
Try This Killer Crockpot Pasta – You’ll Thank Me!
Alright, if you’re tired of blah weeknight dinners and looking for something that’ll wow the crowd (or just yourself, zero judgement), Marry Me Chicken Pasta Crockpot is honestly a sleeper hit. It’s easy, it’s cozy, and, not to be dramatic, but it just might become your house’s signature dish. Seriously, toss those ingredients in your slow cooker and watch the magic happen. For even more slow-cooker tricks, check out this handy beginner’s guide to crockpot dinners and thank me later. Happy cooking!
Crockpot Marry Me Chicken Pasta
Equipment
- Crockpot / Slow Cooker
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breasts boneless, skinless
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, chopped
- 2 cups chicken broth divided use
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 12 oz penne pasta uncooked
- 1 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1 tsp salt to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper to taste
Optional
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes for heat
- 2 cups fresh spinach stirred in last 10 minutes
Instructions
- Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Place in crockpot.
- Add garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, 1 1/2 cups chicken broth, and heavy cream. Stir gently.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4 hours, until chicken is tender.
- Shred chicken with two forks directly in the crockpot.
- Stir in uncooked pasta, remaining 1/2 cup broth, and parmesan cheese. Cover and cook another 20–25 minutes, until pasta is tender.
- If desired, stir in spinach during the last 10 minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Serve warm, topped with extra parmesan and black pepper.