This Crockpot Tomato Basil Chicken takes just ten minutes prep and then the slow cooker does all of the work! This Italian dish has a rich and creamy sauce that is perfect served over mashed potatoes or noodles!
Tender chicken in a rich tomato sauce over delicate pappardelle pasta or mashed potatoes is one of my go-to weeknight comfort meals. This slow cooker recipe takes only ten minutes to prepare and then the crockpot does all of the work for you!
This slow cooke creamy chicken can be made with either breasts or thighs, or a combination of both. The freshness from the tomatoes combined with the cream, fresh basil, garlic and parmesan creates the perfect savory sauce blend!
It's perfect for busy days or when you want a hassle-free dinner option. If you're a fan of this dish and it's incredible flavors, you have to check out my Crockpot Tuscan Chicken recipe!
Table of Contents
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Cooking: One of the best things about this dish is its simplicity. You can toss the ingredients into the crockpot in the morning and return home to a ready-to-eat meal.
- Comfort Food Meal: Comforting and homey, it's the kind of dish that warms your heart and soul.
- Leftovers Excellence: It tastes even better as the flavors continue to marry.
- Versatile Dish: You can serve it over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread. It also pairs well with a variety of side dishes, allowing you to customize your meal according to your preferences.
Ingredients
Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below
- Half and Half: Along with the cornstarch, it creates the slurry to thicken the dish perfectly and adds to the silky texture of the sauce.
- Cornstarch: Creates a smooth paste that creates the perfect thickness in this dish.
- Canned Fire Roasted Tomatoes: The acidity and deep charred flavors from these tomatoes punctuate the richness of this dish.
- Marinara Sauce: Adds balance of creamy richness and tangy tomato goodness to the sauce.
- Garlic: This adds a nuanced savoriness and flavor.
- Italian Seasoning: Blend of dried herbs and spices commonly used in Italian cuisine to add flavor and aroma.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken: This slow cooker creamy chicken is perfect with the savory flavors of the seasonings and is hearty dose of protein.
- Parmesan Cheese: Gives the dish savory, nutty notes of flavor as well as thickens and adds to the creamy texture.
- Basil: Adds color, texture and incredible fresh flavor.
- Pasta, Mashed Potatoes, Rice or Zoodles: Provides the base to the dish to soak up the creamy savory sauce.
Tools You’ll Need
How to Make Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Chicken
- In a small bowl, whisk together half & half and cornstarch.
- Add the slurry to a Crockpot, along with fire roasted tomatoes, marinara, garlic and seasonings.
- Whisk the mixture well to ensure there’s no separation during the cooking process.
- Submerge the chicken into the sauce, cover and cook on high 3-5 hours or 7-8 hours on low.
- Shred the chicken inside the Crockpot with 2 forks.
- Fold in fresh basil and parmesan cheese.
- Ladle a generous serving over your favorite cooked rice, pasta or zoodles. Garnish with additional parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
Tips and Substitutions
- I wouldn’t recommend substituting milk for half and half as it tends to curdle.
- For a thicker, smoother texture, you can substitute the half-&-half and cornstarch with 1 cup heavy whipping cream.
- For cream cheese lovers, you can omit the half and half in the beginning step and substitute with 1 cup chicken broth and the cornstarch mixed together. In the final 30 minutes of cooking, add an 8 ounce brick of cream cheese, cut into cubed. Stir the mixture, cover and cook the remaining 30 minutes. Remove the lid and stir until smooth and thickened.
- Fresh basil in the final step can be substituted with 1 teaspoon fresh basil added in at the beginning before the cook time begins.
- Fresh garlic can be substituted with ½-1 teaspoon garlic powder.
- For the size of the slow cooker, I recommend going with a 5 or 6-quart model.
What to Serve with Tomato Basil Chicken
This meal's simplicity offers so many side dish possibilities! First, the base of the tomato basil chicken needs to be something that will soak up and marry with the incredible sauce. Whipped Mashed Potatoes are an excellent choice for the base as well as pasta or zoodles.
Vegetable side dishes are pretty endless, but a few of our favorite sides are Garlic Broccoli and Mushrooms, Crispy Green Beans or Gremolata Asparagus.
Storage and Freezing
After cooking, allow the tomato basil chicken to cool down to room temperature before storing it in the refrigerator or freezer. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days.
This recipe can be stored in the freezer up to 2-3 months. Add the cooled leftovers or portioned out quantities in freezer-safe containers.
When you're ready to enjoy the frozen tomato basil chicken, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in a saucepan on the stove over low to medium heat or in the microwave until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
FAQ
If the sauce is too watery, you can use and additional cornstarch slurry at the end of the cook time. Mix 1-2 tablespoons of either with a small amount of cold water to create a smooth paste, then stir it into the sauce. Let it simmer for a few minutes until it thickens.
Yes, you can make it dairy-free by omitting any dairy-based ingredients, half-and-half and parmesan cheese. There are dairy-free alternatives available, such as coconut cream or almond milk, that can be used to add creaminess. Adjust the thickness of the sauce with a cornstarch water slurry as noted above.
Yes, you can use dried basil if you don't have fresh basil on hand. Use about 1 teaspoon of dried basil at the beginning of the cook time instead of adding fresh at the end.
Browning the chicken before adding it to the crockpot is optional but can add a depth of flavor. Searing the chicken in a hot skillet with a little oil for a few minutes on each side can enhance the overall taste.
Cooking times can vary depending on your crockpot's temperature settings. Generally, on the low setting, chicken may take 6-8 hours, while on the high setting, it can be done in 3-4 hours.
Yes, you can use any boneless, skinless chicken cut you prefer. With their higher fat content, thighs can add extra flavor and tenderness to the dish.
Yes, you can put raw chicken breast in a slow cooker. Just make sure to season it and add any desired liquids or sauces, then cook it on the appropriate setting and time for your recipe. Cooking times can vary, but typically chicken breast can be cooked on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours in a slow cooker until it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F
Chicken can be cooked in a slow cooker on either the high or low setting, depending on your schedule and preference.
Low Setting: Cooking chicken on the low setting will take longer, usually around 4-6 hours. This slower cooking method can result in more tender and flavorful chicken, as it has more time to break down and absorb the flavors of any added ingredients.
High Setting: Cooking chicken on the high setting will be faster, typically taking around 2-3 hours. This setting is useful when you need your meal ready more quickly, but the chicken might not be as tender as when cooked on the low setting.
The key is to ensure that the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to be considered fully cooked and safe to eat. You can choose the setting that best suits your schedule and the texture you desire for your chicken dish.
You can experiment with different types of tomatoes like crushed, diced, or whole tomatoes for varied textures. For a Mediterranean twist, add chopped olives or capers. A drizzle of balsamic vinegar can add a sweet and tangy element. A pinch of sugar can help balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Chopped fresh herbs added just before serving can provide a burst of freshness.
More Slow Cooker Recipes
- Crockpot Honey Mustard Chicken
- Crockpot Tuscan Chicken
- Slow Cooker Beef and Potatoes
- Crockpot Chicken and Noodles
Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 cup half and half
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 14.5 oz can diced fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2-2 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- ½ cup shredded parmesan plus more for garnish
- ¼ cup sliced fresh basil
- Optional bases: pasta, rice or zoodles
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together half & half and cornstarch.
- To a Crockpot, whisk together the half & half mixture, tomatoes, marinara, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
- Submerge the chicken into the sauce. Cook on high 3-4 hours or 6-8 hours on low.
- Shred the chicken inside the Crockpot with 2 forks and fold in fresh parmesan basil.
- Serve over your favorite rice, pasta or zoodles.
Video
Notes
- I wouldn’t recommend substituting milk for half and half as it tends to curdle.
- For a thicker, smoother texture, you can substitute the half and half and cornstarch with 1 cup heavy whipping cream.
- For cream cheese lovers, you can omit the half and half in the beginning step and substitute with 1 cup chicken broth and the cornstarch mixed together. In the final 30 minutes of cooking, add an 8 ounce brick of cream cheese, cut into cubed. Stir the mixture, cover and cook the remaining 30 minutes. Remove the lid and stir until smooth and thickened.
- Fresh basil in the final step can be substituted with 1 teaspoon fresh basil added in at the beginning before the cook time begins.
- Fresh garlic can be substituted with ½-1 teaspoon garlic powder.
Amy Williamson
You didn’t leave increments of each specific ingredient
Laura Ashley
They’re listed at the bottom of the page.
Daven Mansfield
The Basil tops this off so much! I love the flavor it adds. It’s actually been around a month since I’ve made this so I need to
Laura Ashley
I totally agree, Daven! That basil is chef’s kiss! Thank you!
Janelle
Five Stars! My family loved this recipe!
Laura Ashley
WAHOO!! This is wonderful!! I love that the family loved it! Thank you so so much for making it, sharing your experience, and for your 5 star rating!
Shanda Minks
How would I make this a freezer meal for a meal exchange?
Laura Ashley
I noted under storage and freezing how you can freeze this dish. I like to split the recipe into 4 quart bags and reheat one at a time for dinner.