I recently tried a Slow Cooker Basil Chicken recipe that quickly caught my attention. With just a handful of ingredients like boneless chicken breasts, tomato basil marinara, garlic, heavy cream and fresh basil leaves, this dish surprises you with its charm and simplicity. It feels like a perfect addition to my meal planning.
I was really excited to share my take on this Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken recipe. I never thought that just a jar of tomato basil marinara sauce, a couple of garlic cloves, and 1/2 cup heavy cream could turn into such an amazing meal.
I tossed in 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, seasoned with salt and freshly ground pepper, and let all those flavors blend slowly in my crockpot. When I first made this dish I was intrigued by the idea of a Chicken Tomato Basil meal that was both simple and packed with taste.
I love that it brings a fresh twist to familiar crockpot dishes without too much fuss, making it ideal for a quick Summertime meal. The addition of fresh basil leaves right at the end really lifts the dish and keeps it fun and vibrant like nothing else I’ve tried before.
Give it a go and see what you think!
Why I Like this Recipe
I like this recipe because its super simple to throw together but still tastes great. I love how the creamy tomato basil sauce brings out all the good flavors in the chicken. I also really enjoy that i can just put everything together in my slow cooker in the morning and come back to a fully cooked meal, which saves me a lot of time. Lastly, the little burst of fresh basil at the end makes it feel extra homemade and delicious even though its made with only a few ingredients.
Ingredients
- Chicken provides lean, high protein; essential base for this delicious dish.
- Salt and pepper boost flavor; used sparingly to maintain healthy taste.
- Tomato Basil Marinara Sauce is rich in antioxidants and tangy sweetness without overwhelm.
- Garlic adds a punch of robust flavor and offers some wellness benefits too.
- Heavy cream gives a luscious texture and rich indulgence but adds extra calories.
- Fresh basil brings bright herbal notes that freshen up the savory tomato sauce.
- This hearty medley combines flavors in a slow cooker for perfect comfort food.
- Expect a balanced mix of protein, herbs, spices and dairy creating a luscious, satisfying meal.
Ingredient Quantities
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (around 1.5 lbs)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 1 jar (24 oz) tomato basil marinara sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
How to Make this
1. First, season each chicken breast with salt and freshly ground pepper on both sides.
2. Place the chicken at the bottom of your slow cooker in a single layer.
3. Pour the whole jar of tomato basil marinara sauce evenly over the chicken breasts.
4. Sprinkle the minced garlic all over the top so it distributes evenly.
5. Cover the slow cooker and let it cook on low for about 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours until the chicken is cooked through.
6. Once it’s cooked, remove the lid and stir in the heavy cream to make the sauce creamy.
7. Let it sit for an extra 10-15 minutes on low so that the cream mixes with all of the flavors.
8. Taste your sauce and add a bit more salt or pepper if you feel like it.
9. Right before serving, stir in the roughly chopped fresh basil leaves.
10. Spoon the creamy tomato basil chicken onto plates and serve while hot Enjoy your meal!
Equipment Needed
1. Slow cooker – You’ll need this for cooking the chicken and sauce over several hours
2. Knife – For chopping the basil and, if not already minced, for mincing the garlic
3. Cutting board – To safely chop the basil and garlic
4. Measuring cup – To measure out the 1/2 cup heavy cream
5. Spoon – For stirring the sauce and mixing in the cream and basil
6. Bowl – Useful if you want to mix the garlic or seasonings before adding to the slow cooker
FAQ
Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- If you can’t find chicken breasts, try using turkey cutlets or even pork medallions. They cook similarly and work well in slow cookers.
- If tomato basil marinara isn’t available, you can mix crushed tomatoes with a bit of tomato paste and add in some dried basil and a pinch of sugar.
- Instead of heavy cream, you could use half and half. It might be a bit lighter, but it’ll still give you that creamy texture.
- If you’re out of fresh basil, dried basil is a solid substitute. Use roughly one third the amount, since its flavor is more potent.
Pro Tips
1. Try searin the chicken in a hot pan for a couple minutes before you add it to the slow cooker. It isnt required but it really boosts the flavor.
2. When u stir in the cream, make sure the sauce is still warm enough so it mixes evenly without getting curdled.
3. Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken is fully cooked; this helps avoid overcooking and keeps it tender.
4. Let the dish sit a few extra minutes after you finish cookin it. This gives the flavors a chance to meld together, making it even tastier.
Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Recipe
I recently tried a Slow Cooker Basil Chicken recipe that quickly caught my attention. With just a handful of ingredients like boneless chicken breasts, tomato basil marinara, garlic, heavy cream and fresh basil leaves, this dish surprises you with its charm and simplicity. It feels like a perfect addition to my meal planning.
4
servings
465
kcal
Equipment: 1. Slow cooker – You’ll need this for cooking the chicken and sauce over several hours
2. Knife – For chopping the basil and, if not already minced, for mincing the garlic
3. Cutting board – To safely chop the basil and garlic
4. Measuring cup – To measure out the 1/2 cup heavy cream
5. Spoon – For stirring the sauce and mixing in the cream and basil
6. Bowl – Useful if you want to mix the garlic or seasonings before adding to the slow cooker
Ingredients
-
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (around 1.5 lbs)
-
Salt, to taste
-
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
-
1 jar (24 oz) tomato basil marinara sauce
-
2 garlic cloves, minced
-
1/2 cup heavy cream
-
Fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
Directions
- First, season each chicken breast with salt and freshly ground pepper on both sides.
- Place the chicken at the bottom of your slow cooker in a single layer.
- Pour the whole jar of tomato basil marinara sauce evenly over the chicken breasts.
- Sprinkle the minced garlic all over the top so it distributes evenly.
- Cover the slow cooker and let it cook on low for about 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours until the chicken is cooked through.
- Once it's cooked, remove the lid and stir in the heavy cream to make the sauce creamy.
- Let it sit for an extra 10-15 minutes on low so that the cream mixes with all of the flavors.
- Taste your sauce and add a bit more salt or pepper if you feel like it.
- Right before serving, stir in the roughly chopped fresh basil leaves.
- Spoon the creamy tomato basil chicken onto plates and serve while hot Enjoy your meal!
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 250g
- Total number of serves: 4
- Calories: 465kcal
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Polyunsaturated: 1g
- Monounsaturated: 10g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
- Sodium: 500mg
- Potassium: 600mg
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 9g
- Protein: 40g
- Vitamin A: 500IU
- Vitamin C: 8mg
- Calcium: 80mg
- Iron: 2mg