Description
This Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich, creamy tomato sauce infused with Italian herbs and fresh basil. Perfect for an easy weeknight meal, it combines the convenience of slow cooking with the taste of homemade Italian flavors, served with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
Tomato Sauce Base
- 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
Cream Mixture
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Chicken and Garnish
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce base: Add the diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, minced garlic, salt, Italian seasoning, dried basil, and pepper to a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker. Stir the ingredients well to combine all the flavors.
- 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 and stir gently to incorporate it into the tomato mixture.
- Add the chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into the slow cooker, pressing them down slightly so they are submerged in the sauce.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) tested with a meat thermometer.
- Finish and serve: Once cooked, stir in the freshly chopped basil. Adjust seasoning if needed. Serve the chicken topped with grated Parmesan cheese for added richness and flavor.
Notes
- Some sauce was removed in photographs to show the chicken detail, but the recipe yields plenty of sauce ideal for pairing with pasta.
- Chicken substitutions: You can use boneless skinless chicken thighs, chicken meatballs, sausages, or other chicken cuts for variation.
- Tomato sauce: Use any marinara-style tomato pasta sauce. Stronger flavored sauces give a more robust taste.
- Diced tomatoes substitution: For a smoother sauce without chunks, replace diced tomatoes with additional tomato sauce.
- Cream choice: Heavy cream or evaporated milk works best to prevent curdling; avoid regular milk or light cream.
- Herbs and spice adjustments: Feel free to add cayenne or red pepper flakes if you prefer a spicy kick.
- Fresh basil alternatives: When fresh basil is unavailable, basil pesto is a great substitute to retain fresh basil flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (about 1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
