Slow-Cooker Marry Me Chicken with Barley

4.3
(10)
9 Reviews

Fall in love with this easy version of Marry Me Chicken—a dish with chicken and julienned sun-dried tomatoes swimming in a creamy sauce. Our version adds cherry tomatoes and zucchini for an added boost of veggies, plus barley which soaks up the sauce and makes this dish a complete meal all in one pot. Make sure the barley is completely submerged in the liquid so it cooks evenly.

By
Amanda Stanfield
Amanda Stanfield Headshot
Amanda Stanfield

Amanda Stanfield is a Test Kitchen assistant in the Dotdash Meredith Food Studios. She completed her undergraduate degree in journalism and strategic communications at Hampton University. After graduation, Amanda worked in the nonprofit sector as a marketing associate for a global nonprofit organization. In 2018, she pivoted into the food industry and began training in fine-dining restaurants around Atlanta. Later she gained her culinary degree from Johnson & Wales University and went on to work in a variety of kitchens from boutique restaurants to conference hotels. As a true foodie, Amanda seeks out nutritious and unique flavors to inspire others to eat happily and healthfully. When she's not cooking up delicious recipes, you can find her lap swimming in the pool or watching a good sci-fi movie.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Published on March 7, 2024
Tested by
Melissa Gray
Melissa Gray
Tested by Melissa Gray

A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Melissa Gray trained in traditional French-style cooking, restaurant and front-of-house management. Since transitioning to recipe development and food styling in 2015, Melissa has developed over 1,500 original recipes and styled in over 300 photo shoots.

Meet the EatingWell Test Kitchen
Reviewed by Dietitian
Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD
Emily Lachtrupp Headshot
Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Emily Lachtrupp is a registered dietitian experienced in nutritional counseling, recipe analysis and meal plans. She's worked with clients who struggle with diabetes, weight loss, digestive issues and more. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying all that Vermont has to offer with her family and her dog, Winston.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
a recipe photo of the Slow-Cooker Marry Me Chicken with Barley
Photo:

Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell
Active Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
3 hrs 20 mins
Servings:
4
Nutrition Profile:
Sesame-Free Nut-Free Soy-Free High-Fiber High-Protein Egg-Free
the ingredients to make the Slow-Cooker Marry Me Chicken with Barley

Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell

Ingredients

  • 2 (8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

  • 1 cup pearl barley

  • 1 (11-ounce) package sliced fresh zucchini and yellow squash (about 2 1/2 cups)

  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes

  • 1 cup drained julienne-cut sun-dried tomatoes in oil

  • 1 cup frozen chopped onions

  • 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

  • 1/2 cup dry white wine

  • 1 tablespoon garlic paste

  • 1/2 cup half-and-half

  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

Directions

  1. Place chicken in a single layer in a 6-quart slow cooker; drizzle with oil and sprinkle with oregano, salt and pepper. Cover the chicken with barley, zucchini and squash, cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, onions, broth, wine and garlic paste.

    a step in making the Slow-Cooker Marry Me Chicken with Barley

    Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell

  2. Cover and cook on High for 3 hours or on Low for 6 hours, or until the vegetables and barley are tender and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers 165°F.

  3. Turn off the cooker. Stir in half-and-half; cover and let stand until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board; slice about 1/4-inch thick. Serve the sliced chicken over the creamy barley mixture; sprinkle with Parmesan and parsley.

    a step in making the Slow-Cooker Marry Me Chicken with Barley

    Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell

Nutrition Information

Serving Size: 3 1/2–4 oz. chicken &1 1/2 cups barley mixture

Calories 537, Fat 18g, Saturated Fat 5g, Cholesterol 104mg, Carbohydrates 56g, Total Sugars 6g, Added Sugars 0g, Protein 37g, Fiber 11g, Sodium 768mg, Potassium 1,434mg

EatingWell.com, March 2024

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