Name: Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; ⅓ cup heavy cream; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or chicken thighs); ⅓ cup sun dried tomatoes in oil, lightly drained and chopped; ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; ½ teaspoon sugar; 2 cups baby spinach

If you’re looking for a dinner that’s creamy, cozy, and completely weeknight-ready, you’ve got to try my Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach Recipe. This dish is a total game-changer—tender chicken bathed in a velvety Tuscan-inspired tomato cream sauce, all made effortlessly in your slow cooker. I absolutely love how the flavors meld together while you’re off doing other things, and I promise you’ll find this recipe quickly becoming a family favorite.

💜

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortless Comfort Food: Simply toss ingredients in your slow cooker and walk away—no babysitting required.
Rich, Creamy Sauce: The blend of sun-dried tomatoes and cream creates a sauce that’s indulgent without being heavy.
Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing: Perfect for weeknight dinners, date nights, or even casual get-togethers.
Healthy Ingredients: Using lean chicken and fresh spinach keeps it balanced and nourishing.

The dish is served in a white bowl with ridged sides, placed on a white marbled surface. At the bottom, there is a smooth, creamy layer of mashed potatoes, pale yellow in color. On top of this, several slices of cooked chicken are arranged in a row, with a golden brown color and some green spinach leaves mixed in. The chicken and spinach are covered with a rich reddish-orange sauce, speckled with bits of sun-dried tomatoes and fresh green herbs, and sprinkled with finely grated white cheese. A black spoon lies on the edge of the bowl, resting on the mashed potatoes. Around the bowl, there are small white bowls with grated cheese and sun-dried tomatoes soaked in oil, as well as a glass of water and a striped cloth. Fresh green herbs are scattered lightly on the marble surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach Recipe relies on simple pantry staples paired with fresh ingredients that provide a rich, layered flavor. Shopping for quality ingredients, especially good sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, really makes a difference.

Tomato Sauce: Choose a plain, no-sugar-added tomato sauce for the best control over flavor.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives the dish its warm, savory backbone.
Kosher Salt: Preferably kosher for clean seasoning and easy measuring.
Dried Thyme: Brings a subtle earthiness that complements the tomatoes perfectly.
Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Adds a little peppery brightness to balance the cream.
Heavy Cream: This makes the sauce silky smooth—don’t skimp on this ingredient!
Cornstarch: Helps thicken the sauce into that luscious consistency you crave.
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts or Thighs: Both work wonderfully; thighs are juicier but breasts are leaner.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes in Oil: Lightly drained before chopping to avoid excess oil but still keep flavor.
Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds a nutty umami punch that lifts the whole dish.
Sugar: Just a pinch to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
Baby Spinach: Stirred in at the end for color, nutrients, and freshness.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love personalizing this Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach Recipe depending on what we have on hand and who I’m cooking for. Feel free to make it your own — cooking should be fun, after all!

Use Chicken Thighs: I sometimes swap breasts for thighs because they stay juicier and more forgiving if you accidentally cook a bit longer.
Swap Cream: If you want a lighter dish, try half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but the sauce won’t be quite as rich.
Add Mushrooms: My family goes crazy when I toss in sliced mushrooms halfway through cooking for added earthiness.
Make it Spicy: A pinch of red pepper flakes in the sauce adds a lovely, subtle heat that wakes up the dish.

How to Make Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach Recipe

Step 1: Crafting the Creamy Base

Start by combining the tomato sauce, minced garlic, kosher salt, dried thyme, and freshly ground black pepper in your slow cooker. I like to give it a good stir to blend all those fragrant ingredients right away. Next, whisk the heavy cream together with the cornstarch in a small bowl until completely smooth — this trick eliminates lumps and ensures the sauce thickens beautifully. Pour the cream mixture into the slow cooker and whisk gently to combine with the tomato base. This step really sets the rich, creamy tone for the dish.

Step 2: Adding the Chicken and Cooking Low and Slow

Place the chicken breasts or thighs into the sauce, turning them gently to coat evenly. This is one of my favorite parts—you can see all those flavors start to mingle even before it hits the heat! Cover the slow cooker and set it to low for 3 to 4 hours. When I first tried this recipe, I was worried the chicken might dry out, but slow cooking it gently keeps it perfectly juicy every time. Just make sure to check that your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.

Step 3: Finishing Touches with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Cheese, and Spinach

Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the slow cooker and let it rest on a cutting board while you finish the sauce. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and a small pinch of sugar. The cheese melts right into the sauce, creating that luxurious mouthfeel I love. Then gently fold in the baby spinach just until it wilts—this keeps it bright and fresh without overcooking. You can then slice the chicken and either add it back to the sauce to warm through or serve it on the side with generous spoonfuls of sauce.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach Recipe

Use Thick-Cut Sun-Dried Tomatoes: They pack more flavor and texture than thinly sliced varieties, elevating every bite.
Don’t Skip the Cornstarch Cream Mix: Whisking cornstarch with cream before adding prevents clumps and gives you that silky sauce we all crave.
Low and Slow Cooking: Cooking on low heat for 3-4 hours guarantees tender chicken without drying out — patience pays off here.
Rest Chicken Before Slicing: Letting the chicken rest keeps juices from escaping so your slices stay moist and delicious.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach Recipe

A white ridged bowl holds a dish with two main layers: at the bottom, a soft, creamy pale yellow layer of mashed potatoes, while on top, slices of light brown cooked chicken are arranged in a line. The chicken is covered with a thick reddish-orange sauce that includes pieces of green spinach and dark red sun-dried tomatoes. The dish is sprinkled with grated cheese and small green herb leaves for decoration. A black spoon rests partially on the mashed potatoes at the left side of the bowl. Surrounding the bowl is a white marbled surface with scattered small green herbs, a glass of water to the top left, a white small bowl with coarse light-yellow grated cheese to the bottom left, a small white bowl with dark pepper below, and a white scalloped bowl with sun-dried tomatoes and oil to the top right. A striped cloth is placed at the right edge. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love sprinkling a bit of extra freshly grated Parmesan and a few torn basil leaves on top—pure magic. A drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil also adds a shiny, fresh finish that brightens the creamy sauce perfectly.

Side Dishes

My go-to side dishes for this recipe are creamy mashed potatoes or buttery garlic rice, both great at soaking up the luscious tomato cream sauce. Sometimes, we enjoy it over cooked pasta, especially fettuccine or penne, to keep it classic Tuscan-style.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, try serving the chicken sliced on top of individual plates of risotto with a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts and a sprig of fresh thyme. It makes for a pretty presentation that impresses guests without adding extra cooking time!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce tends to thicken overnight, so I usually loosen it up with a splash of cream or milk when reheating.

Freezing

This dish freezes really well! I portion it into freezer-safe containers, leaving a bit of space at the top for expansion, and freeze for up to 2 months. When I thaw it, I let it sit in the fridge overnight before reheating gently on the stove.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer warming it slowly in a saucepan over medium-low heat to maintain the sauce’s creaminess and keep the chicken juicy. Adding a little extra cream or broth helps bring back the saucy texture.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this recipe?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs work wonderfully in the Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach Recipe. They tend to be more forgiving when slow cooking and come out extra tender and juicy.
How thick does the sauce get?

The sauce thickens to a creamy, luscious consistency thanks to the cornstarch mixed into the heavy cream. If your sauce seems too thin at the end, you can remove the chicken and cook the sauce uncovered on high for 15-20 minutes to reduce it.
Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot instead of a slow cooker?

You can! Use the sauté function to combine ingredients, then cook on high pressure for about 10 minutes with a natural pressure release. Just be sure to add spinach at the end to keep it vibrant.
What can I serve with this Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken?

This recipe pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, or even crusty bread to soak up every bit of the sauce. Fresh greens or a simple side salad also complement the richness well.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach Recipe is one of those dishes that just feels like a warm hug on a plate. I’ve made it countless times for busy weeknights, casual dinners with friends, and even date nights when I want something that feels special but is totally stress-free. I can’t recommend it enough—once you try it, you’ll see why my family goes crazy for it! Give it a go and enjoy that creamy, comforting goodness that everyone will ask you to make again.