Description
Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Breast delivers comfort on a plate with Italian-inspired flavors. Juicy chicken nestles in a rich sauce, promising a simple yet elegant meal that satisfies home cooks and dinner guests alike.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) crushed tomatoes
- ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) chicken broth
- ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) heavy cream
- 1 tbsp dried basil (or ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped)
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsps water (optional, for thickening)
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Thoroughly coat chicken breasts with a blend of spices, ensuring comprehensive flavor infusion and creating a robust seasoning foundation.
- Searing Stage: Heat skillet to high temperature and quickly sear chicken breasts, developing a caramelized golden-brown exterior that locks in natural juices and intensifies meat’s inherent flavors.
- Slow Cooker Assembly: Strategically layer seared chicken in slow cooker, surrounding protein with crushed tomatoes, minced garlic, chopped basil, chicken broth, and Parmesan cheese, creating a rich aromatic environment.
- Cooking Process: Set slow cooker to low temperature and allow chicken to gently poach for several hours, enabling proteins to absorb surrounding liquid and develop tender, succulent texture.
- Sauce Refinement: During final cooking hour, introduce heavy cream and optional cornstarch slurry to transform cooking liquid into a velvety, luxurious sauce that elegantly coats the chicken.
- Garnishing and Serving: Carefully transfer chicken to serving platter, drench with creamy tomato sauce, and garnish with fresh basil leaves, presenting a visually compelling and flavor-packed entrée ideal for serving alongside pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
- Optimize Spice Coating: Ensure even, thorough seasoning by patting chicken dry before applying spices, preventing moisture from diluting the flavor profile.
- Sear for Maximum Flavor: Use a cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan for optimal caramelization, creating a rich golden-brown crust that locks in juices and intensifies taste.
- Control Sauce Consistency: Add cream gradually and avoid boiling to prevent sauce separation, maintaining a smooth, velvety texture throughout cooking.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for dairy-free version, or use Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-rich alternative that keeps the dish creamy and satisfying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours (low) or 2-3 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg