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Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 93 reviews
  • Author: Olivia
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 to 4 hours
  • Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Description

This Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich, creamy tomato and herb sauce. Perfect for an easy dinner, it combines diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, fresh and dried herbs, and heavy cream to create a luscious sauce served with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Slow cooking the chicken ensures juicy, melt-in-your-mouth results with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 can diced tomatoes with Italian herbs with juice (14oz or 398ml)
  • 1 cup marinara sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic (finely minced)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Chicken

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)

Finishing

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
  • Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare Sauce: In a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker, combine the diced tomatoes with Italian herbs and their juice, marinara sauce, minced garlic, salt, Italian seasoning, dried basil, and pepper. Stir well to mix all the flavor components.
  2. Mix Cream and Cornstarch: In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy whipping cream and cornstarch until smooth and no lumps remain. Add this mixture to the slow cooker and stir to incorporate thoroughly into the sauce base.
  3. Add Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into the slow cooker, pressing them gently down into the sauce so they are well coated and partially submerged.
  4. Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours. The chicken is done when a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F (74°C).
  5. Finish and Serve: Stir in the freshly chopped basil, taste the sauce, and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve the creamy tomato basil chicken with a generous sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

  • Some sauce was removed from the pictures in the slow cooker to show detail. The recipe makes plenty of sauce for pasta!
  • Chicken can be substituted with boneless skinless chicken thighs, chicken meatballs, sausages, or other preferred cuts for different flavors.
  • Choose any marinara-style tomato sauce with good flavor; this will greatly impact the final taste.
  • If you prefer a smoother sauce without chunks, substitute diced tomatoes with additional tomato sauce.
  • Use heavy cream or evaporated milk for the best creamy texture without curdling; avoid regular milk or light cream.
  • Adjust herbs and seasonings to your taste. For a spicy kick, add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
  • If fresh basil is unavailable, basil pesto is an excellent substitute for fresh basil flavor.

Find it online: https://oliviadinner.com/slow-cooker-creamy-tomato-basil-chicken-recipe/