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Slow Cooker Italian Chicken

  • Author: Avery
  • Total Time: 6–7 hours
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten-Free (if served over gluten-free pasta or rice)

Description

Slow Cooker Italian Chicken is the kind of cozy, set‑it‑and‑forget‑it dinner that fills your kitchen with the aroma of garlic, tomatoes, and herbs while you get on with your day. Tender chicken breasts slowly simmer in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce, then are shredded into the sauce for the perfect topping over pasta or rice. Simple, rustic, and satisfying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 can (14.5 oz / 410 g) diced tomatoes, with juices
  • 1 can (6 oz / 170 g) tomato paste
  • 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth, low sodium preferred
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
  • Cooked pasta or rice, for serving

Instructions

  1. Place the chicken breasts in an even layer at the bottom of the slow cooker.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato paste, chicken broth, chopped onion, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir until well mixed.
  3. Pour the tomato mixture evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker, making sure all of the chicken is coated with sauce.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and very tender.
  5. Once cooked, remove the chicken breasts to a cutting board and shred them using two forks.
  6. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir well so it absorbs the tomato sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
  7. Serve the Italian chicken hot over cooked pasta or rice. Garnish with chopped fresh basil just before serving.

Notes

  • Use low-sodium broth and adjust the added salt at the end to control the overall saltiness.
  • If your sauce is thicker than you’d like, stir in a splash of broth or pasta cooking water before serving.
  • For a creamier version, stir in a few tablespoons of cream or half‑and‑half during the last 15 minutes 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: 1/4 of recipe (about 1 chicken breast with sauce, without pasta or rice)
  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 520 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 45 g
  • Cholesterol: 120 mg

Keywords: slow cooker Italian chicken, crockpot Italian chicken, tomato basil chicken, easy slow cooker dinner, shredded chicken in tomato sauce

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Find it online: https://averyrecipes.com/slow-cooker-italian-chicken/