SLOW COOKER TOMATO BASIL CHICKEN BREASTS

Made with only 8-ingredients, this recipe is super easy to make! Get out your slow cooker, gather your ingredients, and sit back and relax! Here’s what you need to get started:

 

INGREDIENTS

  • 14 oz can diced tomatoes with Italian herbs
  • 1 cup pasta sauce
  • 1 cup cream cheese, softened
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup basil, freeze dried or fresh, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Add tomato sauce, cream cheese, diced tomatoes, garlic, salt, basil, pepper to slow cooker and stir well to mix. There will be lumps of cream cheese which is ok, we want it mixed but not to smooth.
  2. Add chicken breasts to slow cooker, and press into sauce until submerged.
  3. Add lid, set slow cooker to high.
  4. Cook on high for 4 hours, until sauce has thickened and chicken has reached 175 internal temperature.
  5. Serve with pasta, rice, vegetables, or potatoes and enjoy!

NOTES

  • Stir the sauce, but don’t worry about lumps of cream cheese – they will melt.
  • Add more cheese with up to a cup of grated parmesan cheese.
  • Use any pasta sauce you love – three cheese, tomato basil, and spicy arrabiata are all favorites of ours for this recipe.

TIPS AND TRICKS TO PERFECT SLOW COOKER TOMATO BASIL CHICKEN BREASTS AND FAQS:

  • There will be lumps of cream cheese when you mix it with the sauce and spices. This is ok, we want it mixed but not too smooth. The lumps will melt as it cooks.
  • Check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should be 175? internal temperature.
  • Add more cheese. A cup of grated parmesan cheese is delicious on top.
  • You can use chicken thighs in this recipe as well. Cooking time stays the same.
  • If you want, you can shred the chicken before serving it.
What temperature should I cook this chicken at?

You should put your slow cooker on high to cook the chicken. However, you can also cook it on low, but will need to increase the time to 8 hours.

How long does this recipe take?

With prep time and cook time, you can have this recipe done in about 4 hours and 10 minutes. Or, if you want to cook it on low, it will take 8 hours and 10 minutes.

Can I use frozen chicken?

You can use frozen chicken instead, but you will need to increase the time by at least an hour. Additionally, you will want to check the internal temperature before you serve your chicken. Keep in mind that other professionals do not recommend cooking frozen chicken in the crockpot. This is all up to what you feel safe doing.

How do you cut basil?

If you are going to use fresh basil, then you need to cut it down a bit. The best way to do this is by chaffolding the basil leaves. Roll the basil leaves horizontally and then carefully slice ribbons of basil off the rolled leaf. This will give you long ribbons of basil that you can use or can cut down further into smaller pieces.

What pasta sauce do I use?

You can use your favorite pasta sauce or spaghetti sauce. You can use homemade sauce or buy a jar. Marinara is also a great sauce to use for this basil chicken recipe.

How do I store leftover tomato basil chicken?

This chicken stores really well in your refrigerator for 3-5 days. Simply place it in a tupperware bowl and put it in your fridge. Additionally, it makes a great freezer meal. Let your chicken and sauce cool completely, and then put it in a freezer Ziploc bag. You can store it in the freezer for up to 3-months.