Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Chicken (Printable)
Tender chicken breasts simmered in tomato and basil sauce, finished with cream and fresh basil for an easy, comforting dinner.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Dairy
05 - 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional, for creamier sauce)
→ Herbs & Seasonings
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil (or 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped)
10 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
12 - 10-12 fresh basil leaves, roughly torn (for garnish)
# Directions:
01 - Lightly coat the inside of the slow cooker with olive oil to prevent sticking.
02 - Place the chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of the slow cooker.
03 - In a mixing bowl, combine the diced tomatoes with juices, chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir until evenly mixed.
04 - Pour the tomato mixture evenly over the chicken breasts. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
05 - For a creamier sauce, stir in the heavy cream during the last 10 minutes of cooking and allow it to heat through.
06 - Spoon the tomato basil sauce over each chicken breast and garnish with freshly torn basil leaves before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sauce practically builds itself while you are gone, and it tastes like you stood at the stove for hours stirring.
- Four servings of tender chicken in a rich tomato basil sauce, and you barely touched a knife for more than five minutes.
02 -
- Resist the urge to lift the lid and peek during cooking because every lift adds roughly 15 to 20 minutes to the total time.
- Chicken breasts can dry out if left too long on high, so set a timer and check at the 4 hour mark for best texture.
03 -
- If your chicken breasts are very thick, slice them in half horizontally before adding to the slow cooker for more even cooking and better sauce absorption.
- Patting the chicken dry before placing it in the slow cooker helps the seasoning adhere and prevents excess water from diluting the sauce.