If you want a comforting dinner that can bubble away while you get on with the rest of the day, this high protein slow cooker marry me chicken is a lovely option. It keeps the familiar creamy sauce, garlic, Parmesan and sweet-sharp sun-dried tomatoes from the original Marry Me Chicken idea, but uses the slow cooker to make the cooking feel much less hands-on.
The chicken is tender, the sauce is rich without needing lots of complicated ingredients, and the flavours are gentle enough for a family meal. You can serve it with rice, mashed potato, pasta or green vegetables, depending on what suits your household.
As always, before undertaking any kind of weight loss or lifestyle change, it is always best to speak to a medical professional or registered dietician who is best suited to give personalised advice on your individual health needs and health issues. This blog post has been researched to the best of my ability, and the information posted is accurate at the time of publication. Soph-obsessed is not affiliated in any way with any weight loss plan.
Why this high protein slow cooker marry me chicken works
The chicken provides the main protein in this recipe, while the creamy sauce gives it the familiar comfort-food feeling people expect from Marry Me Chicken. I’ve kept the chilli optional, so you can leave it out if you’re cooking for children or anyone who prefers milder flavours.
This is also the sort of recipe that works well when you want a more filling dinner without turning the meal into a separate “diet” dish. As I’ve mentioned in my post about how to hit your protein goal every day, protein is only one part of an overall eating pattern, but including a protein-rich main meal can be a practical place to start.
Ingredients worth knowing about
Chicken breasts: Skinless, boneless chicken breasts keep the dish relatively lean and provide the high-protein base. Try to use pieces of a similar thickness so they cook at a similar rate.
Sun-dried tomatoes: These bring the slightly sweet, savoury flavour that makes Marry Me Chicken recognisable. Drain them well and chop them into smaller pieces so the flavour spreads through the sauce.
Single cream and Parmesan: Add these near the end rather than at the beginning. This helps keep the sauce smooth and gives the Parmesan a chance to melt into it without becoming lost during a long slow cook.
Spinach: A couple of handfuls stirred through at the end is optional, but it adds colour and makes the dish feel more complete. You could also serve it with a portion of green beans or broccoli.
How to make it family-friendly
Leave out the chilli flakes for a milder version, and serve the sauce over something familiar such as rice, pasta or mashed potato. If your family prefers a smoother sauce, chop the sun-dried tomatoes finely. They will still add flavour without every mouthful having a noticeable piece of tomato which I know can put off little ones!
The recipe serves four, but portion sizes will vary depending on what you serve alongside it. Adding vegetables and a starchy side can make it into a balanced family dinner rather than serving the chicken and sauce on their own.
Slow cooker tips for the best result
- Use thawed chicken breast rather than putting frozen chicken directly into the slow cooker. Personally I prefer using fresh chicken but use what you have.
- Keep the lid on during cooking wherever possible, as lifting it allows heat to escape and can extend the cooking time.
- Check the thickest part of the chicken with a clean food thermometer before serving. UK Food Standards Agency guidance says poultry should be cooked thoroughly; the centre should reach 70°C for two minutes or an equivalent time and temperature combination.
- Stir in the cream, Parmesan and spinach after the chicken has cooked. This gives the sauce a fresher flavour and helps avoid an overcooked dairy sauce and avoids splitting.
What to serve with Marry Me Chicken
Rice is an easy choice because it soaks up the creamy sauce, while mashed potato makes the meal especially comforting. Pasta also works well, although the sauce is quite rich, so a smaller portion alongside vegetables may be enough.
For a lighter-feeling plate, serve the chicken with green beans, broccoli or a simple side salad. If you enjoy planning family meals in advance, my meal-planning guide may also be useful for working recipes like this into a busy week.
Storage and reheating
Cool leftovers promptly, transfer them to a covered container and refrigerate them within two hours. The Food Standards Agency advises eating leftovers within 48 hours or freezing them if they will not be eaten in that time.
Reheat only the portion you need on the hob or in the microwave until steaming hot throughout, and reheat leftovers only once. The sauce may thicken when chilled, so a small splash of water or stock can help loosen it while it warms.
Why make this dish?
This is a creamy, practical dinner for the days when you want something comforting but don’t want to spend the whole evening standing over the hob. It has the familiar flavours of classic Marry Me Chicken, with tender slow-cooked chicken and a sauce that works well with family-friendly sides.
If you do make it, adjust the chilli and sides to suit your household. The recipe is flexible enough to feel special at the weekend but straightforward enough for a normal midweek dinner. Let me know how you get on!
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Love as always!
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High Protein Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken
Equipment
- 5-6 litre slow cooker
Ingredients
Chicken and sauce
- 700 g skinless boneless chicken breasts thawed, trimmed and similar in thickness
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp fine salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil or oil from the sun-dried tomato jar
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced or finely grated
- 100 g sun-dried tomatoes drained and finely chopped
- 250 ml reduced-salt chicken stock
- 150 ml single cream
- 40 g Parmesan finely grated
- 2 handfuls baby spinach optional
- 1 pinch chilli flakes optional
Instructions
Method
- Pat the chicken breasts dry. Mix the oregano, paprika, black pepper and salt, then rub the seasoning over the chicken.
- Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Brown the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side. This is for colour rather than cooking it through. Transfer the chicken to the slow cooker.
- Add the onion, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, stock and optional chilli flakes around the chicken. Cover with the lid.
- Cook on LOW for 3-3½ hours, or until the thickest part of the chicken reaches a safe temperature. The UK Food Standards Agency advises that the centre of poultry should reach 70°C for 2 minutes or an equivalent time and temperature combination.
- Lift the chicken onto a clean plate and stir the cream and Parmesan into the sauce. Add the spinach and stir until wilted. Return the chicken to the sauce and spoon it over to serve.
