Description

This Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken is a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for busy days. Tender chicken breasts simmer in a rich, creamy tomato and basil sauce, enhanced with Italian herbs and garlic. The slow cooking method allows the flavors to meld beautifully, producing a deliciously creamy and satisfying dish that’s easy to prepare and perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)

Tomato Basil Sauce

1 can diced tomatoes with Italian herbs, with juice (14 oz / 398 ml)
1 cup marinara sauce
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon dried basil
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Cream Mixture

½ cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons cornstarch

Finishing Touches

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

Prepare the Slow Cooker: Add diced tomatoes with Italian herbs (including the juice), marinara sauce, minced garlic, salt, Italian seasoning, dried basil, and black pepper into a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker. Stir to combine all the ingredients evenly.
Mix Cream and Cornstarch: In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy whipping cream and cornstarch until smooth. Pour this mixture into the slow cooker with the tomato mixture and stir to incorporate fully.
Add the Chicken: Place the boneless skinless chicken breasts into the slow cooker, pressing them down gently into the sauce to ensure they are mostly submerged and coated.
Slow Cook the Chicken: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F as measured with a meat thermometer, ensuring it is fully cooked and tender.
Finish and Serve: Stir in the freshly chopped basil, taste the sauce, and adjust seasonings if needed. Serve the creamy tomato basil chicken hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor and garnish.

Notes

Cooking time may vary depending on your slow cooker model; check chicken doneness with a thermometer.
You can serve this dish over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread for a complete meal.
For a lighter version, consider using half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but sauce may be less thick.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
If fresh basil is not available, increase dried basil slightly for stronger flavor.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3 to 4 hours
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: slow cooker chicken, creamy tomato basil chicken, Italian slow cooker recipe, easy chicken dinner, crockpot chicken recipes