Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Breast
There’s something inherently comforting about the combination of tender chicken, rich tomato sauce, and aromatic basil. This Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Breast recipe delivers all that and more, making it a perennial favorite among home cooks looking for a hands-off, flavorful meal. With minimal prep and the convenience of the slow cooker, you can enjoy a restaurant-quality dish without the hassle.
The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together seamlessly, resulting in a chicken dish that’s moist, tender, and bursting with a creamy tomato and basil essence. Whether you’re serving it over pasta, rice, or alongside roasted vegetables, this recipe is sure to satisfy your cravings for comfort food.
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe ❓
This Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Breast recipe is a true crowd-pleaser for a reason. The combination of juicy chicken, a rich and tangy tomato sauce, and the fragrant notes of fresh basil create a flavor profile that’s both familiar and elevated. What’s more, the slow cooking method ensures the chicken remains incredibly tender and moist, with a delightful contrast to the creamy sauce.
One of the best things about this recipe is its accessibility. The ingredients are easily found in most pantries or grocery stores, making it a versatile and budget-friendly option. Plus, the hands-off nature of the slow cooker allows you to focus on other tasks while your meal practically cooks itself. And as an added bonus, this recipe is highly adaptable, so you can customize it to suit your dietary needs or personal preferences.
🛒 What You Need to Prepare Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Breast ❓
• 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
The beauty of this Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Breast is that most ingredients are pantry or freezer staples. The combination of juicy chicken, rich tomato sauce, and fragrant herbs creates the Italian-inspired flavor profile that has made slow cooker recipes perennially popular.
📝 How to Make Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Breast Step-by-Step ❓
• Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, heavy cream, garlic, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir well to mix.
• Step 3: Pour the tomato mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker.
• Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
• Step 5: Once the cooking time is up, shred the chicken using two forks. Stir the shredded chicken into the creamy tomato sauce.
• Step 6: Serve the Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Breast over pasta, rice, or with roasted vegetables.
⏱️ Timing Overview
• Cooking time: 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high
• Total time: 6-8 hours 10 minutes
Compared to traditional Italian-style chicken dishes that can take up to an hour to prepare, this Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Breast saves you a significant amount of time while delivering similar flavors.
👩🏻⚕️ Nutritional Information
Per serving (based on 6 servings):
• Protein: 34g
• Carbohydrates: 11g
• Fat: 19g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sodium: 630mg
These Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Breast provide approximately 60% of your daily protein requirements and 30% of your daily vitamin C needs, making them not just delicious but nutritionally valuable as well.
🔄 Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe
• Lower-carb version: Serve the chicken over zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice instead of pasta or rice.
• Dairy-free adaptation: Replace the heavy cream with unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk.
• Added protein: Mix in cooked lentils or chickpeas for an extra protein boost.
• Boost vegetables: Add diced bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms to the slow cooker for extra nutrition and fiber.
These modifications can reduce calories by up to 20% or adapt the recipe for specific dietary needs without compromising the fundamental flavor profile of the Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Breast.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
• Pair with a fresh green salad and garlic bread for a complete meal.
• Complement the dish with a side of roasted broccoli or sautéed spinach.
• For a family-style dinner, serve the chicken alongside a hearty Italian-inspired soup, such as minestrone or tomato basil.
• Create an Italian-themed appetizer platter with the shredded chicken, sliced baguette, olives, and marinated mozzarella balls.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Skimping on the sauce: The creamy tomato sauce is the star of this dish, so be sure to use the full amounts of diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and heavy cream for a rich, flavorful result.
• Not shredding the chicken: Shredding the chicken after cooking helps it absorb the delicious sauce and creates a more cohesive, easy-to-serve dish.
• Forgetting the herbs: The dried basil and oregano are essential for capturing the classic Italian flavors, so don’t skip them.
• Not adjusting cooking time: Slow cookers can vary in their heating intensity, so be prepared to adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure the chicken is cooked through but not overcooked.
🧊 Storing Tips for the Recipe
These Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Breast retain their quality remarkably well:
• Freezing unbaked: Prepare the recipe up to the point of cooking, then transfer the raw chicken and tomato mixture to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before cooking as directed.
• Freezing baked: Allow the cooked chicken to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight, freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in the microwave or on the stovetop.
• Reheating: For best results, reheat the chicken in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave, stirring halfway through.
❓ FAQs
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! This Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Breast is perfect for making ahead. You can prepare the recipe through Step 3, then transfer the raw chicken and tomato mixture to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, then thaw in the refrigerator overnight before cooking as directed.
Can I substitute the chicken breasts with another type of protein?
Yes, you can easily swap the chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs or even turkey breast. Just keep in mind that the cooking time may need to be adjusted slightly. You can also try using ground turkey or Italian sausage for a different take on the recipe.
Is there a dairy-free version of this recipe?
Yes, you can make this recipe dairy-free by replacing the heavy cream with unsweetened almond milk or canned coconut milk. Just be sure to adjust the seasoning as needed to account for the change in richness and flavor.
What should I do if the sauce seems too thin?
If the sauce appears too thin for your liking, you can try one of a few simple fixes. First, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch or all-purpose flour with a bit of water to create a slurry, then stir it into the sauce in the slow cooker. This will help thicken the sauce. Alternatively, you can remove the chicken and let the sauce simmer on the stovetop for 10-15 minutes to allow it to reduce and thicken naturally.
Can I add more vegetables to this recipe?
Absolutely! This Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Breast is highly adaptable, so feel free to mix in diced bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, or any other vegetables you enjoy. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure the vegetables are tender. You can also serve the chicken over a bed of roasted veggies for a complete, well-rounded meal.
Conclusion
These Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Breast represent the perfect balance of convenience, flavor, and presentation. Whether you’re serving them as a cozy weeknight dinner or as part of a larger Italian-inspired spread, they’re sure to impress with their tender chicken, rich tomato sauce, and fragrant basil notes. The versatility of this recipe allows for countless variations to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.
With simple ingredients and straightforward preparation, these Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Breast demonstrate that sophisticated flavors don’t require complicated techniques – just quality ingredients and a little bit of care in the slow cooking process. So why not give this recipe a try and enjoy the comforting, flavor-packed results for yourself?
