Description
Creamy tomato basil chicken delivers Italian-inspired comfort straight to dinner tables. Succulent chicken nestles in a luxurious sauce with fresh basil, promising a restaurant-quality meal that makes weeknight dinners feel extraordinary.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Tomato Base:
- 14 oz (398 ml) can diced tomatoes with Italian herbs
- 1 cup tomato pasta sauce
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ cup evaporated milk or heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
Instructions
- In a 3-6 quart (2.8-5.7 liters) slow cooker, combine diced tomatoes, pasta sauce, minced garlic, salt, Italian seasoning, dried basil, and ground black pepper, stirring until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Create a smooth slurry by whisking heavy cream with cornstarch until no lumps remain, then gently pour the mixture into the slow cooker and blend thoroughly.
- Carefully place whole chicken breasts into the sauce, ensuring they are partially submerged and evenly coated.
- Cover the slow cooker and set to low temperature, allowing the chicken to simmer and cook for 3-5 hours until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when measured with a meat thermometer.
- Once cooking is complete, carefully remove the chicken breasts and let them rest for 3-5 minutes.
- Chop or tear fresh basil leaves and sprinkle over the sauce, gently stirring to incorporate the herb’s aromatic flavor.
- Slice the chicken breasts and return them to the sauce, or serve whole alongside pasta, steamed rice, or a crisp garden salad.
Notes
- Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the most tender and juicy result.
- Cornstarch helps thicken the sauce and creates a luxurious, velvety texture without lumps.
- Fresh basil added at the end preserves its bright, aromatic flavor and vibrant green color.
- Low and slow cooking ensures the chicken remains incredibly moist and absorbs all the rich, tangy sauce.
- Versatile dish that pairs perfectly with pasta, rice, or a crisp green salad for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, making it great for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg