Description

This Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines juicy chicken breasts with a rich, creamy tomato basil sauce. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal, the slow cooking method allows the flavors to meld beautifully while keeping the chicken tender and moist. Serve with pasta or your favorite side to enjoy a deliciously satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 can diced tomatoes with Italian herbs with juice (14oz or 398ml)
1 cup marinara sauce
3 cloves garlic (finely minced)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon dried basil
¼ teaspoon pepper
½ cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons cornstarch
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

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Instructions

Prepare the sauce: Add the diced tomatoes with their juice, marinara sauce, minced garlic, salt, Italian seasoning, dried basil, and pepper to a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker. Stir well to combine all the ingredients evenly.
Mix cream and thickener: In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy whipping cream and cornstarch until smooth. Pour this mixture into the slow cooker and stir gently to incorporate it into the tomato mixture.
Add chicken: Place the chicken breasts into the slow cooker, pressing them down so they are submerged in the sauce mixture for even cooking.
Slow cook the chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, ensuring it is thoroughly cooked and tender.
Finish and serve: Stir in the chopped fresh basil into the sauce, then taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve the creamy tomato basil chicken hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor.

Notes

Some sauce was removed from the pictures in the slow cooker to show detail. The recipe makes plenty of sauce for pasta!
Chicken: This recipe also works well with boneless, skinless chicken thighs, chicken meatballs, or sausages for variety.
Tomato pasta sauce: Choose any flavorful marinara-style sauce; the more flavorful the sauce, the better the chicken tastes.
Diced tomatoes: If you prefer a smoother sauce, substitute extra tomato sauce for the diced tomatoes.
Cream: Heavy cream or evaporated milk work best as they do not curdle. Avoid using regular milk or light cream.
Herbs & seasonings: Customize with spices like cayenne or red pepper flakes for some heat.
Fresh basil substitute: If fresh basil is unavailable, swap with basil pesto to maintain the fresh basil flavor.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
Calories: 370
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 780mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 10g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 110mg