Description
This Slow-Cooker Italian Chicken recipe offers a delicious and effortless way to prepare tender, flavorful chicken breasts simmered in a savory tomato sauce infused with Italian herbs and spices. Perfect for busy weekdays, this dish can be served over pasta, rice, or zucchini noodles and easily customized with extra vegetables for added nutrition.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Tomato Sauce Mixture
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with Italian herbs, undrained
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Optional Additions
- 1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers
Garnish
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts at the bottom of the slow cooker in an even layer.
- Make the Sauce Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the diced tomatoes with Italian herbs (undrained), tomato sauce, chopped onion, minced garlic, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Stir the ingredients together until well mixed.
- Combine in Slow Cooker: Pour the tomato sauce mixture evenly over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. If you choose to add roasted red peppers, stir them into the sauce now.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low heat for 6 to 7 hours, or on high heat for 3 to 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and easily shredded with a fork.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked through and tender, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the sauce, stirring it to combine the shredded chicken well with the flavors.
- Serve and Garnish: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese and freshly chopped parsley or basil over the top before serving. Enjoy the dish over your choice of pasta, rice, or zucchini noodles.
Notes
- Serve this dish over pasta, rice, or zucchini noodles for a complete and satisfying meal.
- For added flavor and texture, consider adding mushrooms, spinach, or olives during the last hour of cooking.
- This recipe freezes very well, making it ideal for meal prepping and storing for future meals.
