Description
This Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken recipe features tender chicken breasts simmered in a flavorful tomato and basil-infused creamy sauce. Perfect for an easy, comforting meal, it combines Italian herbs, minced garlic, and evaporated milk to create a rich yet light dish. Simply set it in your slow cooker and enjoy a delicious, effortless dinner served over pasta, rice, or alongside fresh vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Tomato Sauce Mixture
- 14 oz can diced tomatoes with Italian herbs (398 ml)
- 1 cup tomato pasta sauce
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Cream Mixture
- ½ cup evaporated milk or heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
Main Ingredient
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Finishing Touch
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce base: Add diced tomatoes with Italian herbs, tomato pasta sauce, minced garlic, salt, Italian seasoning, dried basil, and black pepper into a 3-6 quart slow cooker. Stir the ingredients thoroughly to combine all the flavors.
- Mix the cream and thickener: In a small bowl, whisk together the evaporated milk or heavy cream with the corn starch until smooth. This mixture will help thicken the sauce as it cooks.
- Add cream mixture to slow cooker: Pour the cream and corn starch mixture into the slow cooker and stir well to evenly distribute the creamy base throughout the tomato sauce.
- Place chicken in sauce: Add the four boneless, skinless chicken breasts to the slow cooker, pressing them down gently into the sauce so they are mostly submerged and infused with flavor.
- Slow cook the chicken: Cover and cook on low for 3 to 5 hours, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) measured with a meat thermometer. Note that cooking time varies depending on your slow cooker and the quantity inside; a fuller cooker takes longer, while a larger one cooks faster.
- Finish with fresh basil: Just before serving, stir in the finely chopped fresh basil to add vibrant color and fresh herb flavor.
- Serve: Serve the creamy tomato basil chicken hot over your choice of pasta, rice, or with a side salad and steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- For a dairy-free option, substitute evaporated milk/heavy cream with coconut milk or a plant-based creamer.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can add an additional tablespoon of corn starch mixed with water before serving.
- Make sure to check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- This recipe can be doubled for larger slow cookers to accommodate more servings.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
