Description
This Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich sauce made from heavy cream, tomato paste, diced and cherry tomatoes, and aromatic herbs. Perfectly slow-cooked to meld the creamy tomato basil flavors, this recipe is an easy, hands-off meal ideal for busy days or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp corn starch
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half (or use more canned tomatoes)
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings
- 1 tsp dried basil (or 1/2 cup fresh basil)
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Fresh basil for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cream Base: In the slow cooker, whisk together the heavy cream and cornstarch until smooth, ensuring that the cornstarch is fully incorporated to prevent lumps.
- Add Tomato and Seasonings: Stir in the tomato paste, canned diced tomatoes, halved cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, dried basil, dried thyme, sea salt, and black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly to create an even sauce base.
- Place Chicken in Sauce: Add the chicken breasts into the slow cooker, pressing them down gently so they are submerged and coated evenly with the tomato cream sauce.
- Slow Cook the Dish: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 10 hours, allowing the chicken to become tender and the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Serve: Once cooked, optionally garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve the creamy tomato basil chicken warm, pairing well with rice, pasta, or a green salad.
Notes
- This recipe uses simple pantry staples and fresh ingredients to create a rich and flavorful dish with minimal prep.
- Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for a juicier, more flavorful result.
- For a thicker sauce, you can whisk an additional teaspoon of cornstarch into some cream and add it during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Serve with crusty bread or over your favorite starch for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1 chicken breast with sauce)
- Calories: 413 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 937 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.01 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
