Description
Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Breasts merge Italian comfort with effortless cooking. Rich tomato sauce and fresh basil envelop tender chicken, creating a delightful weeknight meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Tomato Base:
- 1 (14 ounces / 398 milliliters) can diced tomatoes with Italian herbs
- 1 cup tomato pasta sauce
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
Seasonings and Thickeners:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup evaporated milk or heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, finely chopped
Instructions
- Craft a flavorful base in a 3-6 quart (0.85-1.7 liters) slow cooker by combining diced tomatoes, tomato pasta sauce, finely chopped garlic, salt, Italian seasoning, dried basil, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Create a silky sauce thickener by whisking evaporated milk (or heavy cream) with corn starch in a separate small mixing bowl until smooth and fully incorporated.
- Pour the corn starch and milk mixture into the slow cooker, stirring thoroughly to distribute the thickening agent evenly throughout the sauce.
- Gently nestle chicken breasts into the seasoned sauce, ensuring they are completely submerged and surrounded by the aromatic liquid.
- Secure the slow cooker lid and set to low temperature, allowing the chicken to simmer and cook for 3-5 hours until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), keeping in mind that cooking duration may fluctuate based on slow cooker size and capacity.
- In the final moments of cooking, delicately fold fresh basil leaves into the sauce to infuse a vibrant, herbaceous flavor just before serving.
- Present the creamy tomato basil chicken over pasta, steamed rice, or alongside a crisp salad and roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the most tender and flavorful result, ensuring even cooking throughout the dish.
- Corn starch acts as a magical thickening agent, creating a lusciously creamy sauce that clings perfectly to the chicken.
- Low and slow cooking method guarantees juicy, melt-in-your-mouth chicken without the risk of drying out or overcooking.
- Fresh basil added at the end brings a bright, aromatic finish that elevates the entire flavor profile of the dish.
- Check chicken’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure safe and perfectly cooked protein every single time.
- Versatile recipe allows for easy customization by serving over pasta, rice, or alongside your favorite roasted vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg