Slow-Cooker ‘Marry Me’ Chicken with Barley

A Creamy, Flavor-Packed Slow-Cooked Meal

If you haven’t tried ‘Marry Me’ Chicken yet, this slow-cooker version is the perfect place to start! Tender, slow-cooked chicken simmers in a creamy, sun-dried tomato sauce, made even heartier with nutty, chewy barley. This dish is rich, comforting, and so delicious that it might just get you a marriage proposal!

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

For the Sauce:

• 1 cup chicken broth
• ½ cup heavy cream or coconut cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for spice)

For the Barley:

• 1 cup pearl barley
• 2 cups water
• ½ teaspoon salt

How to Make Slow-Cooker ‘Marry Me’ Chicken with Barley

Step 1: Season the Chicken

Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, black pepper, paprika, oregano, and garlic powder.

Step 2: Prepare the Slow-Cooker

Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle the minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes over the top.

Step 3: Make the Sauce

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Pour this over the chicken in the slow cooker.

Step 4: Cook on Low

Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until the chicken is tender and easy to shred.

Step 5: Cook the Barley

While the chicken is cooking, rinse the barley under cold water. In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil, add the barley and salt, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 25-30 minutes until tender. Drain any excess water.

Step 6: Shred the Chicken

Once cooked, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with two forks. Stir it back into the sauce.

Step 7: Combine and Serve

Stir the cooked barley into the slow-cooker mixture. Let it sit for 5 minutes to absorb the flavors. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil or extra Parmesan.

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan over low heat with a splash of broth to keep it creamy.