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Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken

Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken
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Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts slow cooked in a rich, creamy tomato sauce with fresh basil. This effortless recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners, delivering bold flavors and a smooth, velvety texture that pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or vegetables.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Sauce

  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken and Vegetables: Season chicken breasts generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Optionally, lightly sauté the chicken in olive oil with chopped onions and minced garlic until the chicken starts to brown and onions soften to enhance flavor.
  2. Add Ingredients to the Slow Cooker: Place the chicken in the slow cooker, pour crushed tomatoes over the top, add the remaining minced garlic, chopped onions, and Italian seasoning. Stir gently to combine evenly.
  3. Slow Cook on Low: Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours until the chicken is tender and infused with tomato-basil flavors. Cooking times may vary depending on your slow cooker.
  4. Stir in Cream and Fresh Basil: Approximately 30 minutes before serving, stir in the heavy cream and chopped fresh basil. Cook uncovered to allow the sauce to thicken slightly and become velvety.
  5. Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Taste the sauce and add additional salt, pepper, or basil if needed. Ensure the chicken is juicy and the sauce creamy and balanced.

Notes

  • Use fresh basil near the end of cooking to keep its flavor vibrant.
  • Searing the chicken before slow cooking adds depth but can be skipped to save time.
  • Cook on low for the most tender chicken and even cooking.
  • If the sauce is too thin, mix cornstarch with water and stir in to thicken, cooking an additional 15 minutes.
  • Choose good-quality canned tomatoes for best flavor.
  • The recipe can be adapted by adding vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach.
  • Chicken thighs can be substituted for juicier, more flavorful meat.
  • Dairy-free options include using coconut milk or cashew cream instead of heavy cream.
  • Add crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
  • Fresh chopped roma tomatoes can replace canned tomatoes for a lighter sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker chicken, creamy tomato basil chicken, easy slow cooker recipe, family dinner, creamy tomato chicken, basil chicken recipe

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