Imagine an easy chicken dinner so delicious it could bring about a marriage proposal. That’s exactly why this TikTok marry me chicken recipe has gone viral – it’s quite simply delicious and my whole family loves it (no marriage proposals needed here).
The best part? This famous recipe only uses simple ingredients and is so easy to make. Serve this to someone you love and I guarantee they’ll be blown away.
The perfect marriage of tender chicken breast in a creamy sundried tomato sauce topped with fresh basil. It’s a delicious dinner you can enjoy for a special occasion or a weeknight meal. While the social media version sees this made in a pan or skillet over medium-high heat, I’ve adapted this easy recipe so it can be made in the slow cooker.
Because on busy weeknights it’s brilliant to be able to serve up a complete meal in a couple of minutes.
Why make this slow cooker marry me chicken?
The benefits of slow cooking are that you can serve up a creamy chicken dish with absolutely no fuss. After you’ve pan-fried skinless chicken breasts until they’re golden brown and added all the spices and ingredients, the hardest part is resisting the amazing aromas as it’s slow cooking over several hours.
Then once you’re ready to serve, it doesn’t take a moment. Plus, hardly any pots and pans to wash up.
I love this recipe because I can prep it in 10 minutes in the morning, let it cook all day, and come home to the most incredible smells. It’s become my go-to for impressing guests without any stress.
What ingredients do you need?
One of the key ingredients in this crockpot marry me chicken recipe is sundried tomatoes. Some recipes suggest using chopped sundried tomatoes or even putting them in whole. However, I love the intensity of sundried tomato paste and find this works perfectly with the heavy cream/double cream to produce a delicious cream sauce.
You’ll need:
- Chicken breasts (4 large)
- Sundried tomato paste (the paste is more concentrated than chopped)
- Dried mixed herbs or Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder or garlic granules
- Paprika (for colour and depth)
- Onion powder
- Chicken stock/chicken broth
- Cornflour/cornstarch (for thickening)
- Butter (adds richness)
- Double cream
- Salt & black pepper
- Parmesan cheese (freshly grated is best)
- Fresh basil (for garnish)
All simple ingredients you can find in any supermarket. Nothing fancy or hard to source.
How to make slow cooker marry me chicken
Step 1: Sear the chicken
Get your chicken breasts prepared first. Using a touch of vegetable or olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan, pan-fry the chicken on medium heat until golden on both sides.
You want to sear them so they’re golden and coloured. No need to cook them all the way through – remember you’ll be slow cooking these for 3-4 hours. This searing step adds so much flavour to the finished dish.
Step 2: Prep the slow cooker
Mix the chicken stock with the cornflour first. This prevents lumps forming later. Then add it to the slow cooker pot alongside the sundried tomato paste, mixed herbs, paprika, salt and pepper, garlic granules, and onion powder.
Stir everything together until well combined. The mixture will look quite thick at this stage – that’s normal.
Step 3: Add chicken and butter
Place your seared chicken breasts on top of the sauce. Then add pats of butter on top of each chicken breast. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours.
Step 4: Add cream and cheese
About an hour before serving, push the chicken to one side. Carefully add the cream and the grated parmesan and stir through the sauce. Cover and cook until you’re ready to eat.
Before serving, chop some fresh basil and sprinkle over the top with some extra parmesan. The basil adds a gorgeous fresh note that cuts through the rich, creamy sauce.
What if the sauce is too runny?
You may find the sauce is still a little runny after cooking. If you’d like to thicken it up, mix some cornstarch or cornflour with water to make a cornstarch slurry (around 3-4 teaspoons with the same amount of water).
Add this to the slow cooker marry me chicken after you’ve added the cream. Stir well and you’ll see the consistency of the creamy sauce become much thicker within minutes.
I usually make the slurry in a small cup and pour it in slowly while stirring. That way I can control the thickness and not overdo it.
What to serve with marry me chicken
The great thing about this marry me chicken slow cooker recipe is that it’s extremely versatile. You can pretty much serve it with anything you like.
My favourite pairings:
- Roasted potatoes and green vegetables (like an alternative roast dinner)
- Pasta – penne or tagliatelle work beautifully
- White rice (soaks up all that delicious sauce)
- French fries or chips
- Noodles – I’ve even seen it served with ramen
I like to serve this chicken with roasted potatoes and green vegetables. It’s a great meal for lazy Sunday afternoons and my family asks for it all the time.
Can you substitute ingredients?
Yes, absolutely. This recipe is quite flexible and you can adapt it based on what you have.
Protein swaps: If you don’t have chicken breasts, use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead. They stay even more tender in the slow cooker.
Fresh garlic and onions: I’ve used garlic powder and onion powder for ease and less prep, but you can also use chopped onions and minced garlic cloves. Just add them to the slow cooker with the other ingredients.
Heat level: Want a touch of heat? Add some chilli flakes to the sauce.
Dairy alternatives: For a lighter version, you could use half-fat cream, though it won’t be quite as rich.
How to make marry me chicken in a pan
Don’t have a slow cooker? You can make this recipe in around 35 minutes in a frying pan.
Follow the steps in the same way. If you’re using chopped onions, fry them off in some olive oil first before adding the stock, herbs, and sundried tomato paste. Then add the seared chicken breast.
Simmer gently on a low heat for 20-25 minutes, before adding the cream and parmesan. The sauce will gradually thicken as you continue to cook the chicken. Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 75°C/165°F.
Storage and leftovers
To refrigerate: Place any leftover marry me chicken in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat thoroughly until piping hot.
To freeze: Absolutely! Place cooled marry me chicken in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, defrost in the fridge overnight. Once thawed, reheat in a microwave on high power or gently in a pan until thoroughly cooked.
The cream sauce freezes beautifully. Sometimes I make a double batch just so I have some in the freezer for busy weeks.
Frequently asked questions
How long does marry me chicken take in the slow cooker? It takes 3-4 hours on low in the slow cooker. I add the cream and parmesan in the last hour for the best texture and flavour.
Why is it called marry me chicken? The legend goes that this dish is so delicious, you’d want to marry whoever made it for you! It went viral on TikTok and the name stuck. Whether it actually leads to proposals, I can’t guarantee – but it’s definitely impressive.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts? Yes, absolutely. Boneless skinless chicken thighs work brilliantly and stay incredibly tender in the slow cooker. Use the same cooking time.
Can I make this dairy-free? You could try using coconut cream instead of double cream, though it will change the flavour slightly. You’d also need to use a dairy-free parmesan alternative or nutritional yeast for that cheesy flavour.
How do I know when the chicken is cooked? After 3-4 hours on low, the chicken should be cooked through. It should reach an internal temperature of 75°C/165°F and be tender enough to shred with a fork.
My sauce is too thin – what can I do? Make a cornstarch slurry (3-4 teaspoons cornflour mixed with equal parts water) and stir it into the sauce. It will thicken within a few minutes. You can also leave the lid off for the last 15 minutes to let some liquid evaporate.
Can I make this in advance? You can prep the sauce ingredients the night before and sear the chicken in the morning. Store them separately in the fridge. When you’re ready, combine everything in the slow cooker and cook as directed.
Can I double this recipe? Yes, but make sure your slow cooker is big enough. You may need to add an extra 30-60 minutes to the cooking time for a larger quantity.
Common mistakes to avoid
Not searing the chicken first – This step adds so much flavour. Don’t skip it even though it’s tempting.
Adding the cream too early – If you add cream at the start, it can separate or curdle during the long cooking time. Add it in the last hour for the best texture.
Using pre-grated parmesan – Freshly grated parmesan melts much better and tastes so much better. The pre-grated stuff often has anti-caking agents that affect the sauce texture.
Overcooking – After 4 hours on low, check your chicken. Overcooked chicken breasts can become dry even in a sauce.
More slow cooker recipes you’ll love
If you enjoyed this marry me chicken, try these other slow cooker favourites:
- Slow cooker ham and pea soup – comfort in a bowl
- Slow cooker chicken chow mein – takeaway made easy
- Slow cooker chicken tikka masala – rich and creamy
- Slow cooker chicken biryani – fragrant and delicious
- Slow cooker bolognese – the best spag bol
- Slow cooker beef curry – tender and spicy
- Slow cooker Chinese chicken curry – takeaway style
- Slow cooker beef and chorizo – hearty and warming
- Slow cooker Thai massaman curry – rich and aromatic
- Slow cooker ham joint in coke – incredibly tender
Easy marry me chicken [slow cooker]
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1½ tablespoons sundried tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons garlic granules
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon mixed herbs
- 200 ml double cream
- 200 ml chicken stock
- 4 tablespoons cornflour/cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 50 g of grated parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper for seasoning if needed
- fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- You'll need to prepare the chicken breasts first. Get a large frying pan or skillet, and add a touch of olive oil, over a medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken breasts and pan fry for around 3 minutes, before turning over and doing the same on the other side. You want them to be coloured and golden brown. Don't worry if the chicken isn't cooked thoroughly.
- In a bowl, add the cornflour/cornstarch and then pour the chicken stock in, mixing as you pour. This is to make sure there are no lumps.
- In the slow cooker pot, add the chicken stock, corn flour mix, mixed herbs, garlic granules, onion powder, paprika and sundried tomato paste.
- Combine all the ingredients together.
- Then add the chicken breasts on top. And then the butter on top of the chicken.
- Cover and cook on low for 3 hours.
- About an hour from serving, add the cream and the parmesan cheese and stir through, making sure it's all combined.
- Check for seasoning - and add if you feel it requires it. I like to add a grind of black pepper at this point. Cook for a further hour.
- Before serving, add some chopped fresh basil and a sprinkle of more parmesan cheese.
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Did you make this marry me chicken recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you or what variation you made of my marry me chicken recipe UK. Leave a comment below and tag @cooksimplyathome on Instagram. If you’d like more food inspiration, check out my index.