Description
Italian Slow Cooker Chicken Breast is a cozy, no-fuss dinner where boneless chicken simmers for hours in a garlicky tomato and herb sauce. The slow cooker does all the work, leaving you with fork-tender, flavor-packed chicken that’s perfect over pasta, rice, or scooped up with crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) diced tomatoes, with juices
- 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth, low sodium preferred
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped, for garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker in a single layer as much as possible.
- Season the chicken generously with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning on both sides.
- Top the chicken with sliced onion and minced garlic, spreading them evenly.
- Pour the diced tomatoes (with their juices) and chicken broth over the chicken and vegetables.
- If using, sprinkle red pepper flakes over the top for a bit of heat.
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and very tender (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C).
- Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker, mixing it well into the tomato sauce.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes as needed.
- Serve the Italian slow cooker chicken over cooked pasta, rice, polenta, or with crusty bread. Garnish with fresh basil and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth so you can better control the salt level at the end.
- Chicken breasts can vary in size; larger pieces may need a bit more time to become very tender.
- The sauce will thicken slightly as it cools; if you prefer it thinner, stir in a splash of hot broth before serving.
- For extra richness, stir in a tablespoon of butter or a splash of cream at the end of cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–7 hours (low) or 3–4 hours (high)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g (estimated)
- Sodium: 580 mg (estimated, will vary with broth and salt)
- Fat: 9 g (estimated)
- Saturated Fat: 2 g (estimated)
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g (estimated)
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g (estimated)
- Fiber: 3 g (estimated)
- Protein: 45 g (estimated)
- Cholesterol: 135 mg (estimated)
Keywords: Italian slow cooker chicken breast, crockpot chicken, tomato basil chicken, easy weeknight dinner, healthy chicken recipe