Description
Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Chicken is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich crushed tomato sauce infused with garlic, onions, and fresh basil. With minimal hands-on time, this recipe delivers a delicious homemade meal perfect for busy days.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)
Sauce
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves (roughly chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken breasts and season them generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Quickly sear the chicken breasts for about 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. This step is optional but adds a rich depth of flavor.
- Transfer to slow cooker: Place the seared chicken breasts into your slow cooker as the base of the dish.
- Sauté aromatics: Using the same skillet, sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent, approximately 3-4 minutes. Then, add this mixture to the slow cooker on top of the chicken.
- Add tomatoes and spices: Pour the crushed tomatoes over the chicken and onion mixture. Sprinkle in the dried oregano and red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat.
- Slow cook the dish: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and becomes tender.
- Finish with basil: About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the fresh basil leaves to infuse the sauce with bright herbal notes.
Notes
- Searing the chicken before slow cooking locks in juices and develops a deeper flavor, but you can skip this step to save time.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level or omit for a milder taste.
- Serve this dish over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread for a complete meal.
- Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
