High Protein Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
A cozy and delicious dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a creamy, flavorful sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil, perfect for weeknights or special family dinners.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6-8 oz each) Use fresh for the best flavor.
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 small shallot (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (crushed)
- 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (not in oil)
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon chili crunch oil or red pepper flakes (optional) For heat preference.
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated preferred)
- 1/2 cup blended cottage cheese Must be blended until completely smooth.
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil For garnish.
Instructions
Preparation
- Season chicken breasts evenly on both sides with kosher salt and black pepper. Set aside while you prepare the aromatics.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add finely chopped shallot and crushed garlic, sautéing for about 2 minutes until fragrant and softened but not browned.
Searing
- Push the aromatics to the side of your skillet and add the seasoned chicken breasts. Sear for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Sprinkle with onion powder and Italian seasoning during searing.
Slow Cooking
- Transfer the seared chicken and all pan drippings to your slow cooker, arranging chicken in a single layer.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, and optional chili oil or red pepper flakes. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part.
Finishing
- After 3.5-5.5 hours of cooking (or 30 minutes before your target completion time), whisk together cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water to create a smooth slurry. Stir this into the sauce to thicken.
- Once cooking is complete, turn off the heat and stir in grated Parmesan and blended cottage cheese until the sauce is silky smooth. If sauce seems too thick, add 2-3 tablespoons chicken broth.
- Return chicken to coat thoroughly, let rest for 5 minutes, then serve immediately garnished with fresh chopped basil.
Notes
Best served over rice or creamy mashed potatoes. Can store leftovers in the fridge or freeze for longer storage. Reheat carefully to maintain texture.