This Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken is SO easy and flavorful, you wouldn’t believe it only has just a few ingredients! The perfect easy dinner recipe for busy weeknights!
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Fall is on its way and I’m busting out all the easy slow cooker, one pot and Instant Pot recipes!
We have been kind of obsessed with chicken this summer, so I always have a ton in the freezer.
This slow cooker chicken comes together in no time with just a handful of ingredients that we usually have on hand — which makes it a win in my books!
The creamy tomato flavor combo is always a hit over here, and we love this chicken over a plate of spaghetti but it can really be a stand alone meal with a side salad if that’s your thing!
If you love this recipe, you might enjoy this Slow Cooker Chicken Breast or this Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings — they are both easy Crockpot meals!
My goal this fall (really, every fall) is to bring you more recipes for Real Life. Because summer is over and life goes back to Crazy, dinner time is rushed and spending hours in the kitchen is often the last thing on our minds.
The other reason, obviously, is that I need easy recipes like this too!
With a lot of slow cooker recipes, I find you sacrifice either flavor or texture or both. Browning meat beforehand can really help with that, but often even after that the juices need to be spiced up because after cooking for so long, the flavors just become muted.
With this chicken, though, there are no issues like that! You dump and go, and the sauce is the perfect consistency when it’s done and the flavor is awesome! So creamy and comforting, and yet only a small amount of cream or evaporated milk.
Tips for making this slow cooker chicken recipe:
- I made this recipe in a 4 quart slow cooker — if you want to double it, I suggest a 6 quart slow cooker (I have both, and use them for different things!).
- I really, really, REALLY recommend using slow cooker liners. I will gladly pay the 50 cents or whatever they cost to not have to wash that beast!
- Please always, always check the temperature of your chicken with a meat thermometer before serving just to be safe! All slow cookers cook differently.
Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 14 oz can diced tomatoes with Italian herbs
- 3/4 cup tomato pasta sauce
- 3/4 cup evaporated milk or heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Add tomatoes and pasta sauce to a 3-6 quart slow cooker.
- Whisk together cream and corn starch and add to the slow cooker. Stir in garlic, salt, basil and pepper.
- Add chicken breasts and press down into the sauce.
- Cook on low for 3-5 hours, until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees F. The exact cook time will depend on your slow cooker — a fuller slow cooker will take longer to cook, so a larger one will cook faster.
- Stir in fresh basil and serve over pasta, rice, or with a salad and veggies!
Nutrition Information
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Jean S says
I made this recipe for my daughter and granddaughter and they loved it. It was so simple and quick to put together.
The Recipe Rebel says
Yay! Thanks Jean!
Jessic says
Can I add cheese, maybe Parmesan? If so would I do that once it’s done cooking?
The Recipe Rebel says
Sure, I would add it right before you serve it.
Megan says
The recipe list notes “tomato pasta sauce” is that a typo?
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi! Nope that is not a typo. You’ll want to use a sauce that is tomato based for pasta. Enjoy!
Liz says
So easy and delicious! Followed the recipe exactly. 3 hours and was so moist. Served over spaghetti with fresh green beans Picky husband and foodie son went back for seconds!
The Recipe Rebel says
Yay! Great to hear!
Sarah says
I would love to use this as a freezer meal. Have u ever made this ahead and froze it? Thank you so much!
The Recipe Rebel says
I haven’t tried but I think it could work! It’s not usually recommended to freeze dairy, but the higher the fat content the better it will freeze (so heavy cream could be fine)
Patricia Leuthauser says
Would this work using boneless chicken thighs instead?
The Recipe Rebel says
It should, yes.
Sam says
Can I put it on high for less time?
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Sam! Yes you can! I would recommend using high fat cream as lower fat dairy is more prone to curdling at high temperatures.
Kate says
Have you ever tried this in an instapot instead?
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Kate! I have not but I do have a stovetop version: https://www.thereciperebel.com/creamy-tomato-basil-chicken-breasts/ Enjoy!
Michala says
Could I use frozen chicken breast? How long do you think it would need to cook?
The Recipe Rebel says
Frozen chicken in the slow cooker isn’t really recommended.
Beka Tamagne says
Have you made this using a non-dairy substitute?
Megan says
Country Crock plant cream is a great substitute for the heavy cream. I’ve used it in many recipes and can’t even tell the difference with regular cream!
The Recipe Rebel says
Great to hear! Thank you Megan!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Beka, No I haven’t. You could possibly try a full fat non dairy milk? But I’ve only tested the recipe as written, so I can’t say for sure how it will work. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!
Leah says
I just made this with full-fat coconut cream (skimmed off the top of settled coconut milk) and it is delicious.
Gigi says
Do I need to drain the tomatoes first?
Jessica says
We didn’t drain them and it came out great still! Loved this recipe. It also tasted good with stewed tomatoes.
The Recipe Rebel says
Thanks Jessica!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Gigi! No, you do not drain the tomatoes first. Enjoy!
Serene Faulk says
Delicious! I tweaked it a little by adding a splash or two of balsamic vinegar, couple sun dried tomatoes, and served with goat cheese on top. I am obsessed with this meal!!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Serene! Love that! Thank you!
Sheila Jones says
Made it – delicious. I had fresh tomatoes that needed to be used so replaced diced. Just delicious with mashed potatoes!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Sheila! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!