Description
Slow cooker creamy tomato basil chicken breasts deliver comfort and richness from Mediterranean-inspired ingredients. Herbs, cream, and tender chicken combine for a simple yet elegant dinner solution you can easily prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (14 oz / 398 ml) can diced tomatoes with Italian herbs
- 1 cup tomato pasta sauce
- ½ cup evaporated milk or heavy cream
- 2 tbsps corn starch
- 2 tbsps fresh basil, finely chopped
- 2 tsps minced garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp dried basil
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Sauce Preparation: Blend diced tomatoes, tomato pasta sauce, minced garlic, salt, Italian seasoning, dried basil, and black pepper in a 3-6 quart slow cooker, creating a robust flavor foundation.
- Thickener Creation: Whisk evaporated milk (or heavy cream) with corn starch in a separate bowl until achieving a smooth, lump-free consistency.
- Sauce Integration: Incorporate the milk-corn starch mixture into the slow cooker, stirring thoroughly to ensure even distribution and sauce homogeneity.
- Chicken Placement: Immerse chicken breasts completely in the seasoned sauce, positioning them to cook evenly and absorb maximum flavor.
- Slow Cooking Process: Cover and set slow cooker to low temperature, allowing chicken to simmer for 3-5 hours until reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), adjusting time based on cooker size.
- Final Flourish: Gently fold fresh basil leaves into the sauce moments before serving to elevate the dish with a bright, aromatic finish.
- Serving Suggestion: Plate the creamy tomato basil chicken atop pasta, steamed rice, or accompanied by a crisp salad and roasted vegetables for a complete, satisfying meal.
Notes
- Timing Tip: Check chicken’s doneness at 3 hours to prevent overcooking, ensuring tender and juicy meat.
- Sauce Consistency: Whisk cornstarch mixture thoroughly to eliminate lumps and achieve a smooth, velvety texture.
- Flavor Boosting: Allow fresh basil to infuse during the last 15-20 minutes for maximum aromatic impact.
- Serving Suggestion: Let chicken rest for 5-10 minutes after cooking to absorb additional sauce and enhance overall flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg