This Italian Crockpot Chicken with Garlic and Basil is Pasta Night Comfort Food

Dinner is done.

crockpot chicken

Enjoying a delicious and protein-filled pasta night has never been easier thanks to this easy Italian crockpot chicken recipe with tomato sauce, garlic, and fresh basil. Simply put all the ingredients in a crockpot, leave it for the day, and return home to quick (and healthy!) comfort food.

Crockpot Chicken Ingredients

This crockpot chicken recipe couldn’t be easier. All you’ll need are two frozen chicken breasts and a handful of other pantry ingredients. If your chicken is already thawed, have no fear! Simply cook the chicken in the crockpot for less time.

Choose certified organic chicken, if possible, or purchase chicken locally from a farmers market. Many labels on packaged chicken, such as sustainably farmed and humanely raised, are unverifiable and actually give no indication for how the chicken was raised. Choosing organic chicken means that the chicken was raised without antibiotics or hormones and complies with the USDA’s definition of organic practices.

Organic frozen chicken is combined with tomato sauce and hearty, Italian flavors in a crockpot. Choose plain organic tomato sauce, or one that hasn’t been sweetened or filled with preservatives and additives. Find glass jars or cardboard boxes of plain tomato sauce for this recipe at local health food stores or Whole Foods Market.

Balsamic vinegar is a delicious addition to this crockpot chicken recipe and adds a hint of acid and balance to the sauce. When slow cooked, balsamic vinegar sweetens and has a remarkable taste.

Whole cloves of garlic and onion infuse into the sauce to create a heavenly tasting (and smelling) sauce. When cooked low and slow, both garlic and onion sweeten and take on a caramelized, rich flavor.

After cooking for hours, this crockpot chicken is ready to go. Simply shred the chicken with a fork and serve with your favorite pasta noodles, baked spaghetti squash, or zucchini zoodles. Top with fresh basil and enjoy a hearty comfort classic!

crockpot chicken

If your chicken is already thawed, cook for 4 hours instead.

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Ingredients

Preparation

  1. Combine all ingredients, except for fresh basil, in a crockpot.
  2. Cover and cook on low for 7 hours.
  3. After cooking, use a fork to shred chicken in the crockpot.
  4. Serve chicken with fresh basil and sauce over pasta, spaghetti squash, or alongside vegetables. Enjoy!
Kate Gavlick is a nutritionist with a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition (MSCN). Hailing from Portland Oregon, and ... More about Kate Gavlick
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