Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken
This Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken recipe is the easiest way to make the viral favorite at home – creamy, comforting, and naturally gluten-free.
Made in the crockpot/slow cooker, the chicken turns tender in a rich parmesan cream sauce with a hint of sun-dried tomato. Perfect for busy midweek meals, meal prep, or even entertaining, this Marry Me Chicken is a guaranteed family hit.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Naturally gluten-free – uses gluten-free flour to thicken the sauce, and gluten-free chicken broth.
- Slow cooker convenience – set it and forget it.
- Family-friendly – creamy, mild flavours that kids enjoy, but still impressive for guests.
- Flexible – swap sun-dried tomatoes for red pesto or stir in extra veggies.
The chicken is lightly coated in gluten-free flour before cooking, which helps the sauce naturally thicken while it bubbles away. Add the cream, Parmesan, and spinach right at the end for a silky finish and an easy veggie boost.
It’s the kind of meal that feels restaurant-worthy but is actually weeknight simple.
Ingredients to Make Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts if preferred), cut in strips or large chunks
- 2 tablespoons gluten-free all-purpose/plain flour – coats chicken and helps sauce thicken
- 2 teaspoons minced/crushed garlic (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper – to taste
- 1 cup (240 ml) gluten-free chicken broth/stock
- ½ cup (75 g) sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped (or 2 tablespoons gluten-free red pesto)
Add towards the end:
- ½ cup (50 g) grated/shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy/thick cream
- 2 cups (60 g) fresh baby spinach
Substitutions and Alternatives
- Chicken – thighs stay juicier, but breasts work too.
- Dairy-Free – swap cream for coconut cream, Parmesan for dairy-free Parmesan or nutritional yeast.
- Tomatoes – no sun-dried tomatoes? Red pesto works beautifully.
- Veggies – stir through mushrooms, zucchini, or kale if you’d like extra greens.
How to make Marry Me Chicken in a Slow Cooker
- Toss chicken pieces in gluten-free flour, salt, and pepper. This helps thicken the sauce as it cooks.
- Add chicken broth, sun-dried tomatoes (or red pesto), garlic, onion powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Stir gently.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or HIGH for 1½–2 hours, until chicken is tender.
- Stir in cream, Parmesan and spinach during the last 20 minutes of cooking.
Find the measurements and full recipe below!
How To Serve Marry Me Chicken
This creamy chicken is delicious with:
- Gluten-free pasta
- Steamed rice
- Mashed potatoes
- Or with crusty gluten-free bread to soak up the sauce
Storage and Freezing
- Fridge – Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat – Warm gently in the microwave or stovetop.
- Freezer – Freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Tips for Success
- Coating in flour – makes the sauce velvety and naturally thickened.
- Add cream late – prevents splitting and keeps it silky.
- Chop spinach finely – it blends in easily for kids.
- Taste and adjust – season with extra salt or pepper at the end if needed.
This can also be prepped as a freezer bag dump meal – see FAQ below for details.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Sauce too thin? Add an extra teaspoon of gluten-free flour mixed with water.
- Sauce split? Stir in a splash of extra cream to smooth it out.
- Too salty? A squeeze of lemon juice balances it.
FAQs About Marry Me Chicken
Why is it called Marry Me Chicken?
The story goes that this creamy, flavourful chicken dish is so good it might just inspire a marriage proposal. It’s become a viral recipe for its comforting flavours and easy method.
Can I make Marry Me Chicken ahead of time?
Yes! You can even prepare this as a freezer bag meal – coat the raw chicken in flour and add to a zip-top bag with all ingredients except the cream, Parmesan, and spinach. Freeze flat, then thaw overnight and dump straight into the slow cooker the next day.
Is this Marry Me Chicken recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe uses gluten-free flour and gluten-free chicken broth/stock. Always double-check labels for hidden gluten.
What can I serve with Marry Me Chicken?
It’s delicious with gluten-free pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or even crusty gluten-free bread for soaking up the sauce.
Can I make this Marry Me Chicken in the crockpot?
Absolutely – ‘crockpot’ is just another word for a slow cooker. Both methods are exactly the same.
more Gluten-Free Chicken Recipes You’ll Love:
Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken
Equipment
- 6-quart (or similar) slow cooker / crockpot
Ingredients
- 6 (750 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts if preferred), cut in strips or large chunks
- 2 tbsp gluten-free all-purpose/plain flour
- 2 tsp minced/crushed garlic
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup (240 ml) gluten-free chicken broth/stock
- ½ cup (70 g) sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped, or 2 tablespoons gluten-free red pesto
- ½ cup grated/shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy/thick cream
- 2 cups (60 g) fresh baby spinach
Instructions
- Place chicken into the slow cooker. and toss with gluten-free flour, salt, and pepper (his helps thicken the sauce as it cooks).
- Add 1 cup gluten-free chicken broth/stock, ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped, 2 tsp minced/crushed garlic , 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning. Stir gently.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or HIGH for 1½–2 hours, until chicken is tender.
- Stir in cream, Parmesan and spinach during the last 20 minutes of cooking.
